1960 Alvis TD21 Series 1 Drophead Coupe by Park Ward

• An elegant, matching numbers TD21. Understated and quintessentially Alvis
• First registered in Jersey in 1959 covering relatively few miles early on in its life
• Subject to a ground-up/chassis-off body restoration in 1998 that cost in excess of ú30,000
• Now finished in a lovely Deep Blue with blue-piped cream leather and silver wire wheels
• More recently the engine was rebuilt by Fields Engine Services, new radiator, lead-free conversion
• Entire electrical system replaced. All hydraulics and the braking system overhauled
• A genuine car that will need some minor recommissioning prior to use

The TD21 was conceived in 1956 and was quite a departure from the lovely, but rather 'post-war' TC21 however, on its arrival in dealer's showrooms, it quickly set about changing established views of the Alvis. Following the loss of coachbuilders Mulliner and Tickford (who were now tied to other companies), Alvis turned to the Swiss coachbuilder, Graber whose tradition of producing sleek, modern and very elegant saloons and dropheads proved a good fit in terms of the way Alvis saw their future. Graber first presented this new style to the Alvis board in late 1957 who were very impressed with the Swiss company's flowing design and commissioned the body to be built on the new TD chassis. To ease logistical problems, Park Ward of London, built the Graber designed bodies in the UK.

The Alvis Three Litre TD21 Series I was produced between the end of 1958 and April 1962 and was powered by the TC's 2993 cc engine, uprated by 15bhp to 115 as a result of an improved cylinder head design and an increased compression ratio. A new four-speed gearbox from the Austin-Healey 100/6 was incorporated, whilst the suspension remained similar to the car's predecessor, independent at the front using coil springs and leaf springs at the rear, but the track was increased slightly and a front anti-roll bar added. From 1959 the all drum brake set up was changed to discs at the front retaining drums at the rear.

This particular car was first registered in Jersey in 1959 and the history file reveals it covered relatively few miles early on in its life. By 1998 it needed a ground-up/chassis off body restoration costing in excess of ú30,000 at the time! (all pictures available on file). Since then a rolling programme of maintenance has kept the car in good order until becoming part of the Anthony Hamilton Collection from which it is offered today. This maintenance over the intervening 25 years has included a complete engine rebuild by Fields Engine Services with a new radiator and lead-free conversion of the cylinder head. The rear springs have been replaced and the front suspension rebuilt. The entire electrical system has been replaced as well as all hydraulics and the braking system overhauled. Today it presents well and will need some minor recommissioning prior to use, but offers the basis of a genuine car today that will once again be a pleasure for someone to own and enjoy. It is after all an Alvis ~ which is a very special and traditional British experience.