Alvis TD 21

Alvis TD 21
Three Litre TD 21 fixed head coupé or 2-door sports saloon
Overview
Manufacturer	Alvis Cars
Production	784 series I 1958-1961 285 series II 1962-1963
Body and chassis
Body style	4-seat fixed head or drophead coupé
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	Alvis 3.0 L Straight-6
Transmission	4 speed manual, automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.5 in (2,832 mm)
Length	188.5 in (4,788 mm)
Width	66 in (1,676 mm)
Height	57 in (1,448 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Alvis TC 108G
Successor	Three Litre series III

The Alvis Three Litre TD21 was a British sports saloon or coupé made by Alvis cars between the end of 1958 and October 1963. It was a revised version of the TC 108G, the body was made by Park Ward who were better able to supply them to the quantity, quality, and price required. The cars were slightly taller and a drop-head coupé was added to the range. They were both lighter.

The 2993 cc engine was again uprated, now producing 115 bhp (86 kW) mainly by an improved cylinder head and increasing the compression ratio from 8.0:1 to 8.5:1. A new four speed gearbox from the Austin-Healey appeared and Borg Warner three speed automatic transmission was offered. Overdrive was available on the manual transmission from late 1960 to 1962. Suspension was similar to the TC 21, independent at the front using coil springs with leaf springs at the rear but the track was increased by 1 in (25 mm) to 55.5 in (1,410 mm) and a front anti roll bar added. Wire spoked wheels became an option. From 1959 the all drum brake set up was changed to discs at the front retaining drums at the rear.

A car with manual transmission was tested by the British magazine The Motor in 1960 and had a top speed of 103 mph (166 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 13.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 20.2 miles per imperial gallon (14.0 L/100 km; 16.8 mpg_‑US) was recorded. The test car cost £2827 including taxes.

Series II

In April 1962 the car was upgraded with four wheel Dunlop disc brakes in place of the disc/drum combination and named Series II. Door frames were now constructed of aluminium for lightness as well as being panelled in aluminium to alleviate persistent problems with the Park Ward body's wooden door pillar.

The previously stand-alone fog lamps were built into the front of the car, recessed in the middle of new circular air intakes, one for the heater, the other for the carburettors. The rear number plate and the various lamps and reversing lights were re-arranged.

In October that year there was a switch to a five speed manual ZF gearbox; the Borg-Warner automatic remained available as an option.

• 
  series I
• 
  series I
• 
  series II
• 
  series II

Graber Switzerland

1963 Three Litre Series II TD21 cabriolet by Hermann Graber

Graber continued to mount their own bodies on the Alvis chassis.

In Popular Culture

A Series II Alvis TD21 features heavily throughout the historical crime novel set in 1973 The Nicholas Duncan Mysteries : Everyday by Stuart Tidman (2022, ISBN 978-1-80074-321-2 ), as the vehicle of choice of the afore-named lead character, a Detective Sergeant in the Coventry Police.

A sky blue 1959 Series I Alvis TD21 is the vehicle in which former spy Jim Prideaux, now a teacher, instructs one of his students William to drive, claiming it to be "the best car in England", in the 2011 film 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'.

Further reading

• Clarke, RM (1989). Alvis gold portfolio 1919–1967. Cobham, Surrey, England: Brooklands Books. ISBN 978-1-870642-84-2.
• Culshaw, D (2003). Alvis three litre in detail: TA21 to TF21 1950-67. Beaworthy, Devon, England: Herridge and Sons Ltd. ISBN 978-0-9541063-2-4.