1965 Alvis TE21 Coupe

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We absolutely love these Alvis Models here and always try and buy them when we can. We always try and find the later cars with manual gearboxes in great colours and this is no exception!

Launched in October 1958. the Graber-styled Alvis TD21 was an immediate success; the combination of a luxury interior. elegant bodywork and 100mph performance proving immensely attractive to the well-heeled clientele at which it was aimed.

The Motor described it as having "a Jeeves-like quality of responding to its master's whim". Autocar praised it as "one of the most enchanting owner-driver cars imaginable. quot; singling out the quality of the Park Ward coachwork with doors that "close with a majestic clunk - more like an air of finality than a noise. "

Qualities that were no doubt appreciated by owners as august as the Dukes of Edinburgh and Windsor. Sir Douglas Bader and James Mason – all as quintessentially English as the car.

a torquey 120bhp straight-six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox as standard. the car was capable of effortless high speed cruising and handled exceptionally well for such a stately machine. In 1963 it was replaced by the TE21. immediately distinguished by its stacked-headlight front end. another design flourish by Swiss coachbuilder. Graber.

Maximum power was now 130bhp courtesy of a new cylinder head and torque was up to 172lb/ft. with a choice of automatic or five-speed ZF manual gearboxes. Lockheed servo-assisted disc brakes were now standard and power steering was available as an option. Tested by Autocar. a TE21 could reach 60mph in 12. 5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 108mph. An extremely rare car. only 349 were made before it was replaced by the TF in 1966. All are increasingly sought after today.

This lovely Champagne example was purchased by the previous owner in July 1997 having been repatriated from America. An original UK registered vehicle. it is unclear when it departed these shores but once safely back home the vendor embarked on a thorough restoration of the bodywork. He replaced the sills and the lower parts of the doors. along with all other areas that required his attention. The car was then professionally resprayed and the brightwork rechromed as necessary.

The brakes were upgraded with new multi-pot calipers at the front and new pistons and seals at the rear. The master-cylinder was reconditioned and servo replaced. the owner being very pleased with the result. A stainless steel exhaust was then fitted. The car started instantly for the photographs. showing good oil pressure and running nicely. The previous owner has carefully fitted an LPG conversion which has never been commissioned. an addition which could easily be removed by the new owner or pressed into service to take advantage of the 75p/litre fuel price!

MOTd until June 2015 and taxed until next July. it is in constant use. gathering admiring glances as it goes. This thoroughbred will make a most glamorous addition to its new owner's stable. The colours are amazing. the condition superb. we will not find another as attractive as this one!

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