Alvis TA21 Saloon

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Better known simply as the Three Litre, the Alvis TA21 was launched in 1950 as the successor to the TA14 and was the company’s first all new post-war car.

More streamlined than its predecessor, it was also wider and longer with a stiffer chassis and considerably more power from an all-new six-cylinder engine. Other improvements included Lockheed hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension with coil springs and adjustable Luvax hydraulic dampers.

Coachwork was normally of the traditional four-door sports saloon type by Mulliner, although some cars were fitted with attractive drophead coupe coachwork by Tickford. Beautifully trimmed inside in the finest Alvis tradition, the accent was on luxury and refinement rather than all-out performance. Great pains were taken to ensure that the engine was as smooth and flexible as possible, with a seven-bearing crankshaft and minutely calculated cam profiles that took weeks to perfect.

A typically thoughtful touch to enhance quiet running was the addition of a small spring on each pushrod to keep it in constant contact with the rocker and transmit any mechanical chatter from the valve gear to the bottom of the pushrod where it was deadened within the block. Initially rated at 86bhp with a single Solex carb, the power output soon rose to 93bhp with the adoption of twin SU carbs, raising the top speed close to the magic ton.

So successful was this engine that it was to power all subsequent Alvis models until they ceased production in 1967, reaching its most powerful form in the 150bhp TF21 in 1966. The TA21 was itself replaced by the TC21 in 1953 after some 1,313 examples had been sold.

This lovely Mulliner-bodied twin-carb TA21 was supplied new by Hammond Motors of Frinton-on-Sea in May 1951 to a local lady, Doris Woodland, and has had just five owners since, all documented on the original buff logbook and the current V5C. Our vendor acquired the car in 2009 from a gentleman who had owned it since 1977 and had lavished much money on the car including having it repainted and rechromed in 2001 to use at a family wedding. The black-over-silver paintwork has held up beautifully and still looks excellent today.

During his 10-year ownership our vendor has also maintained the car religiously, fitting many new parts to keep it in tip-top condition. These have included: rebuilt cylinder head; electronic ignition; electric fuel pump; new brakes; new springs and shock absorbers; new exhaust with bespoke stainless steel manifold; new tyres plus a host of other items. The interior is also in lovely order with nicely mellowed original red leather seats and a recent headlining and carpet set. The underside is equally impressive and has been waxoiled to keep it good for years to come.

Supplied with an MOT to 14th September 2019 with no advisories recorded, it also comes with many old MOTs back to 1977, a good file of invoices, Alvis Heritage Certificate and a quantity of useful spares including a differential, dynamo, starter motor etc.

Retaining its original (transferable) number, STW 490 started instantly and ran beautifully as we moved it around for these photos. As good an example as we have ever seen, this aristocratic saloon looks an absolute steal at the modest guide price suggested.