1961 Alvis TD 21

The Alvis Car and Engineering Company was formed after the conclusion of the 1914-1918 war and quickly gained a reputation for building attractive luxury cars fitted with many technological advancements.

Styled by Swiss Carrosserie Graber and boasting coachwork manufactured by Rolls-Royce's in house coachbuilder 'Park Ward', the Alvis TD 21 made its debut in 1958. The TD 21 initially retained the torquey 3-litre, overhead-valve six that came with 104 bhp , though this was increased early in 1959 to 120 bhp, courtesy of a new cylinder head and it was then capable of 100mph. Inside there were improvements to the accommodation with increased headroom and legroom when compared to the preceding TC108G, especially in the rear. Lockheed servo-assisted disc brakes were now an option, becoming standard in 1960. A mere 592 saloons were produced between 1959 and 1963, as a result these traditional, thoroughbred, luxury Gran Turismos are nowadays regarded as a very exclusive motor car.

This extremely rare manual TD21 was originally sold to a Mr Stanley Vickers of Rudby following a visit to the Alvis stand at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1960. He purchased the car from Brooklands of Bond Street and there is detailed correspondence within the vast history file between the new owner and the supplying main dealer. Original specifications are also confirmed on the build sheet, showing the car was supplied new "finished in Metallic Beige with Beige leather upholstery, a manually operated gear-box, wire wheels. The car is also fitted with the HMV radio." There is also a genuine Alvis guarantee document specific to this car. Furthermore, there are a large number of bills and receipts dating back to the 1960s and from marque specialists Red Triangle from the 1980s all the way up to today.

In 1997 287 BGN's body was comprehensively restored by Broughtons of Cheltenham (the official Rolls-Royce and Bentley distributor) and finished in Royal Blue with cream leather interior. There are bills and receipts for works carried out at great cost to the owner. More recently, there are bills for over £12,000 of mechanical work from Red Triangle earlier this year. Works included a power steering conversion at a cost of over £3,000, new clutch, new Kenlowe fan, new master and slave cylinders, weather sealing, Waxoyl and a major service. Also included in the paperwork is a recent valuation from Red Triangle of £40,000.

Supplied with one of the most comprehensive history files one is ever likely to find for a TD21, it is evident that this car has led a cherished existence and has been maintained regardless of cost. Supplied with an MoT test certificate, original sales brochures, manuals and early correspondence, 287 BGN has covered what is believed to be a genuine 59,000 miles and will be driven to the auction.