1961 Alvis TD21 DHC

Sold

1961 Alvis TD21 DHC

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£42,800

Mileage~19,556 on the clock
TransmissionManual
Engine3.0-litre
LocationTonbridge, Kent

SOLD

1961 Alvis TD21 DHC

SELL MINE TOO I WANT ONE

Introduction

Alan Stuart

Professional Consigner

A superb example of the Alvis TD21, combining handsome Park Ward drophead coachwork with a lovely straight-six engine and several desirable later-model upgrades. A rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest hand-built cars ever produced in the UK.

Introduced in the late 1950s, the TD21 represented a refined development of Alvis’s established, refined three-litre grand tourer. Its body was based on a design by Swiss coachbuilder Graber and constructed in Britain by Park Ward, creating an understated alternative to the more familiar luxury cars of the period. The Alvis TD 21 was widely regarded as one of the best-built vehicles of its time. Renowned for their independent engineering talent and history in aviation engine manufacturing, Alvis applied that technical expertise to create some of the smoothest powerplants ever produced.

Only 784 TD21s were produced, of which 192 received Drophead Coupe coachwork. The model combined traditional hand-built quality with a 2,993cc straight-six engine producing approximately 115BHP.

This 1961 Series I example is finished in the rich Alvis Peony Red with a cream leather interior, contrasting red piping, burgundy carpeting and a tan folding hood. Polished wire wheels and extensive chrome detailing complete its elegant period appearance.

A comprehensive restoration was carried out during the late 1980s. As part of that work, the car was upgraded with a five-speed ZF manual gearbox and front disc brakes; features associated with later developments of the TD21 and particularly beneficial for modern touring.

This listing was written from information supplied by Alan after meeting John the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

The Alvis underwent a full restoration in the late 1980s, at which time we believe the engine was replaced with a period-correct TD21 engine, and it was upgraded with the five-speed ZF gearbox and front disc brakes.

John is the current custodian of this elegant Alvis TD21 Drophead Coupe.

During his ownership, he has focused primarily on the car’s mechanical condition. Recognising the specialist knowledge required to maintain an Alvis correctly, he entrusted it to Red Triangle and gave the company permission to undertake whatever work it considered necessary.

John reports spending approximately £10,000 with the specialist. The car now starts promptly, sounds excellent, and drives well, with a smooth five-speed gearbox, reassuring brakes, and good unassisted steering.

John would be happy to answer any questions in the comments section.

John

Vehicle Owner

John saved £7,560* when they
sold their Alvis with us.

SELLING MADE EASY

We'll take the photos & create the listing.
We'll market it to our 62K buyers & online.
You'll keep your car until it's paid for.

PEACE OF MIND FOR BUYERS

They can fully review our cars online.
They can buy on our trusted platform.
They're able to buy without leaving home.

LEARN MORE

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Finished in Alvis's Peony Red, the TD21’s elegant Park Ward coachwork remains beautifully proportioned and gives the car tremendous presence.

Wheels and Tyres

The Alvis is fitted with polished wire wheels and traditional two-eared knock-off spinners.

The wheels present extremely well, and provide the perfect finishing touch to the car’s sporting yet understated appearance. The spokes, rims, and centre fittings all appear smart, with no significant corrosion or damage apparent during our visit.

Period-style tyres are fitted, which appear to retain a suitable level of tread. Given that the car has spent time in storage, prospective buyers should confirm their age and condition before returning it to regular road use.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The Park Ward Drophead Coupe body presents particularly well, retaining the long bonnet, restrained tail and balanced proportions that define the TD21.

The panels appear straight, and the shut lines around the bonnet, doors, and boot are especially good. The doors opened and closed as expected, and we did not notice any significant dents or areas of obvious panel damage.

Overall, the body remains very attractive, with only very minor imperfections,. These are few and far between, and don't detract from the quality of the car's presentation.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our hi-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view at what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The Peony Red paintwork presents to a very high overall standard, and retains an attractive depth of colour and gloss. Over £4,000 was spent in August this year on tidying up the front wings, and it really shows just how well loved this car is.

The finish complements the flowing Park Ward coachwork particularly well, creating an effective contrast against the cream interior, tan hood and extensive chrome detailing.

A small number of chips and tiny marks are visible upon closer inspection: primarily a small bubble by the off side headlamp and a small chip on the bonnet's leading edge. Both are photographed close up for transparency. These imperfections really don't detract from the appearance of this stunning car.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these hi-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The exterior glass and chrome detailing present well overall.

The large upright Alvis grille, chrome bumpers, overriders, headlamp surrounds, and auxiliary lighting give the car an unmistakable and appropriately formal front end.

The windscreen, side glass, and light lenses appear clear, while the exterior handles, mirrors, and remaining brightwork look complete and presentable.

The tan folding hood operated correctly during our visit and fits neatly when raised. Its light colour works particularly well with the cream upholstery and red bodywork.

An accompanying tonneau cover is also included and fits the roof well.

Please view the photos and video below to review the condition of the glass and trim for yourself.

VIEW ALL

INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The cream leather, beige carpeting, and extensive walnut veneer create exactly the sense of occasion expected from a hand-built British grand tourer of this period.

Seats and Carpets

The front and rear seats are trimmed in cream leather.

The upholstery presents very well overall, with only light creasing and age-related character visible across the seating surfaces. The front seats retain their shape, while the rear compartment provides useful additional passenger accommodation.

Cream door cards and matching surrounding trim continue the colour scheme throughout the cabin. Chrome door furniture and contrasting darker sections provide further visual detail.

The beige carpeting works particularly well against the exterior paintwork.

Overall, the cabin appears to have been carefully preserved since the car’s restoration, and remains an inviting place to spend time.

Please take a look at the photos and video below to decide on the condition of the seats and carpets for yourself.

Dashboard

The walnut dashboard is one of the interior’s standout features. A comprehensive collection of Smiths instruments is arranged across it, combining large speedometer and rev-counter displays with smaller gauges monitoring fuel level, temperature, oil pressure, and electrical output.

The odometer indicated approximately 19,556 miles during our visit.

The rev counter is not currently working and will require investigation. The remaining instruments and switchgear present well visually, while a period radio is incorporated neatly into the centre of the dashboard.

The veneer displays an attractive grain and aged patina, contributing greatly to the traditional atmosphere of the cabin.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The large period-typical steering wheel features an Alvis-branded centre and slender metal spokes.

The original transmission has been replaced with a five-speed ZF manual gearbox. This is a highly desirable usability upgrade that provides an additional cruising ratio and makes the Alvis better suited to faster roads and longer journeys.

VIEW ALL

'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The three-litre straight-six engine provides the smooth and flexible performance expected from an Alvis grand tourer.

Engine and Gearbox

The TD21 is powered by a 2,993cc straight-six engine. This unit is not the car's original engine, but has been confirmed by the TD21 register to have been fitted in a TD21 that left the factory on 17/07/1959 so it's an original, contemporary engine that runs well..

The engine started promptly during our visit and produced a particularly pleasing six-cylinder note. It settled into a smooth idle and responded well without any obvious unwanted noises.

The engine bay has a clean and appropriately traditional appearance, retaining the twin-carburettor arrangement and substantial components associated with the Alvis three-litre engine.

The car underwent a comprehensive restoration in the late 1980s. As part of this work, its original transmission was replaced with a five-speed ZF manual gearbox.

This conversion gives the car an additional cruising ratio, allowing the engine to operate more comfortably at sustained road speeds. It represents a particularly useful improvement for anyone intending to use the Alvis for touring.

During our drive, the gearbox operated smoothly and selected each ratio cleanly.

John has also spent approximately £10,000 with Red Triangle, giving the specialist discretion to address any mechanical work it considered necessary.

Please watch the mechanical and on-the-road videos to hear the engine starting and running and to see the Alvis being driven.

Suspension and Brakes

No specific suspension concerns were raised during our visit.

The car felt composed on the road and delivered the settled, refined ride expected from a substantial British grand tourer of this period.

The steering is not power-assisted, but it felt good once the car was moving and provided an appropriate level of connection with the road.

The car was upgraded with front disc brakes during its late-1980s restoration. This provides greater reassurance than the original Series I braking arrangement and contributes to the TD21’s usability in modern traffic.

The brakes performed well during our drive, bringing the car to a stop without any obvious pulling or unwanted vibration.

The Drive

With sufficient power to reach speeds of 100 mph while maintaining lavish comfort amongst high-quality furnishings, the Alvis TD21 provides a genuine experience of British reserve, exclusivity, and panache.

The three-litre straight-six engine started promptly and sounded excellent during our visit. Its smooth power delivery feels well suited to the size and character of the car.

The five-speed ZF gearbox is one of the car’s most valuable upgrades. It operated smoothly and provides a more relaxed cruising ratio than the original Series I transmission.

With the hood lowered, the long bonnet, expansive dashboard and polished wire wheels create a considerable sense of occasion. Raising the tan hood transforms the Alvis into a more enclosed and refined grand tourer suitable for less favourable weather.

Its performance during our visit suggests a fundamentally appealing and well-maintained example.

Electrics and Other

The folding hood operated correctly during our visit, and the accompanying tonneau cover fits neatly.

The dashboard retains its comprehensive Smiths instrumentation and period radio. Most of the equipment appears visually presentable, although the rev counter is not currently working and will require attention.

No other specific electrical concerns were reported to us.

VIEW ALL

History and Paperwork

An extensive collection of historical records, invoices and supporting documentation accompanies the Alvis.

Prospective buyers should study the paperwork gallery carefully to understand the dates, extent and cost of the work completed.

The car underwent a comprehensive restoration in the late 1980s. During that process, it received two particularly useful upgrades: a five-speed ZF manual gearbox and front disc brakes.

The car is now ready to pass to its next custodian, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire a stunning TD21 Drophead Coupe with desirable later-model upgrades, extensive specialist expenditure, and a substantial supporting history file.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
04/03/2026	MOT	19,551
02/06/2025	MOT	18,939
13/03/2025	MOT	18,973
22/05/2020	Service	18,790
21/05/2020	MOT	18,785
19/06/2019	Service	18,629
19/06/2019	MOT	18,627
22/06/2018	MOT	18,626
28/02/2017	MOT	18,626
11/11/2016	Service	18,626
03/2016	Service	18,626
12/03/2016	MOT	18,614
19/03/2015	MOT	18,030
19/11/2014	Service	18,023
22/04/2014	MOT	17,710
05/02/2014	Service	17,606
29/11/2013	MOT	17,601
09/05/2013	MOT	16,006
28/09/2009	MOT	15,954
16/07/2009	MOT	15,929
31/03/2006	MOT	15,306

VIEW ALL

Key Details

Year1961
ModelTD21 DHC
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date19/01/1961
CC2993
Mileage~19,556 on the clock
ColourPeony Red
Interior ColourCream
Interior TrimLeather
Chassis #26475
Engine #26072
Matching #sNo
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers6
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Key FeatureRestoration
Vehicle Registration569 TTT
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeConvertible
Auction ID4007

VIEW ALL

All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Sold

Register your interest for similar cars.

This vehicle has now been sold - click 'I Want One' below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

I WANT ONE

Ask Questions

Seller : JohnTD21 Sale Date 01.10.2026

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

11 Comments

acleff

1 month ago

Hi lovely car and I was going to ask how long have you owned the car and why you are selling it please? Alan

JohnTD21

Seller

acleff

1 month ago

Hi Alan, I live in S.W.France and bought this about 18 months ago having given up the search for a left hand drive car. Before importing it to France I sent it to Red Triangle and asked them to do everything necessary regardless of cost as there is nobody here with the knowledge, expertise and parts to work on an Alvis. I then shipped it here and was just was just on the point of registering it when as luck would have it I managed to buy a left hand drive equivalent. Not needing two TD21 DHCs I have now shipped it back to the U.K. to be sold.
Kind regards, John

acleff

JohnTD21

1 month ago

Thank you and are you a member of the owners club? If so what is your menbership number please ? Regards
Alan

JohnTD21

Seller

acleff

1 month ago

Hi Alan, I was a member 6 years ago when I bought my first Alvis, a Speed 25., but as the benefits to me here in France are limited I am afraid that I have allowed my membership to lapse. Thanks, John

acleff

1 month ago

Hi is it possible to have a quick not sure if we are allowed to? Alan

Drayton

1 month ago

Good afternoon John. I am following the auction with a view to placing a bid tomorrow. Trade Classics describe the car as “matching numbers” which is evidenced by the chassis plate in the engine bay: Chassis 26475. Engine 26475.

The current engine is somewhat older and numbered 26072. What/when is the story behind the engine change? Perhaps Trade Classics should issue a correction before the auction concludes. Rgds / Michael Drayton.

JohnTD21

Seller

Drayton

1 month ago

Good morning Michael,
I checked the TD21 register and the engine is from a TD21 which left the factory on 17/07/1959. This car was restored in the late 80’s and I assumed the engine was a reconditioned equivalent fitted along with the gearbox upgrade.
Kind regards, John

GAZ5092

1 month ago

Is this a no reserve auction so it goes to the highest bidder or is there a reserve set

ColinB

Admin

GAZ5092

1 month ago

Hi,

All our auctions have a reserve unless stated otherwise in the title, you can also see how close the reserve is to being met with the gauge just above the comments.

Thanks,
Colin.

amazondean

1 month ago

Hello John, do you know if the cover on the steering wheel is covering any damage at all? Thanks…..Dean

JohnTD21

Seller

amazondean

1 month ago

Hi Dean, As far as I am aware there is no damage to the steering wheel. I always assumed that the binding was to improve the grip. After i bought the car I did send it to Red Triangle and ask them to correct all the faults that they could find. They made no comment about the steering wheel. Kind regards, John

MORE COMMENTS MORE COMMENTS

Vehicle Location

Tonbridge, Kent

Delivery Calculator

Thank You

Form Submitted

Your request has been submitted successfully and we'll keep you updated.

Thank You

Form Submitted

Your request has been submitted successfully and we'll keep you updated.