Introduction
Dom Ginn
A beautifully understated British grand tourer, combining hand-built craftsmanship, elegant styling, and smooth performance into one timeless classic.
The Alvis TD21 represents one of the most elegant expressions of Alvis’s post-war Three Litre of one of Britain’s most respected luxury car manufacturers, combining handcrafted elegance with refined grand touring capability. Built during a period when Alvis was renowned for producing exclusive, low-volume motor cars, the TD21 showcased the brand’s dedication to quality, engineering, and understated sophistication.
Introduced in the late 1950s as the successor to the successful Grey Lady models, the TD21 featured sleek coachwork by Park Ward and a refined 3.0-litre straight-six engine that delivered smooth, effortless performance suited perfectly to long-distance touring. Unlike many sports cars of the era, the Alvis focused on comfort and composure, offering a relaxed yet capable driving experience wrapped in timeless British styling.
Produced between the late 1950s and early 1960s, the TD21 sits at the heart of Alvis’s post-war Three Litre story: a refined, low-volume British grand tourer with Park Ward coachwork, a smooth 2,993cc straight-six and the understated quality that makes the marque so appealing today.
This particular 1961 Alvis TD21 Coupé / two-door saloon is a beautifully presented example of one of Britain’s most understated grand tourers. Finished in bronze over tan Connolly leather, with Park Ward coachwork, matching chassis and engine numbers, body-off restoration history, excellent interior woodwork, a discreet Tremec T5 five-speed upgrade and long-term Red Triangle specialist care, it is exactly the sort of elegant, usable and properly documented Alvis that marque buyers look for.
Red Triangle are central to the Alvis marque - the best-known specialist, authorised manufacturer and supplier of genuine Alvis parts, and the natural home for a car like this. This TD21 has been maintained by Red Triangle over many years and, immediately after Tim purchased it in July 2024, it was sent back to them for inspection, service and mechanical refresh. That recent specialist attention, combined with the historic Red Triangle file, is one of the car’s key strengths.
This listing was written from information supplied by Dom after meeting Tim the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.
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Bidding History
2401
Ask Owner
Hi Dean
No trouble at all, they are sensible questions.
On the black plastic grommets in the bumpers, yes, my understanding is that they are simply covering the bumper fixing points/bolts.
On hardened valve seats, I do not have a specific invoice confirming they have been fitted, so I would not want to state that as fact. The car was already running on unleaded before I bought it and I have also run it on unleaded during my ownership, but if a buyer wanted certainty, Red Triangle would be the obvious people to advise.
On the chassis and engine numbers, I have no reason to doubt the car’s identity or matching-numbers status. The paperwork supports it, and the car has had an extensive history with Red Triangle. My understanding is that Red Triangle hold very comprehensive records for Alvis cars and could certainly look further into the car’s history if required.
On the gearbox, the major change is the Tremec five-speed manual conversion. I do not know for certain whether the reference to automatic is historic fact or simply a paperwork error. My understanding is that the steering-column stalk was likely related to the original four-speed gearbox with overdrive, which is no longer applicable with the Tremec five-speed fitted. The conversion suits the car extremely well and makes it an absolute pleasure to drive.
On the paperwork, Red Triangle’s records can look confusing because they include estimates as part of their inspection and approval process. My understanding is that estimates are proposed scopes, whereas pro forma invoices or invoices reflect the work actually carried out and billed. In my case, after I acquired the car, it went to Red Triangle, they inspected it, provided their recommendations, and I authorised the work they suggested. Since then I have only covered around 100–200 miles, alas due to my spinal surgery.
Overall, I have tried to be very transparent. I do not claim to know every detail of the car’s full history, but it is a very well-documented, Red Triangle-known TD21 that presents extremely well. It is a shame you have not been able to see it in person, because I think you would be as impressed as the others who have viewed it. The photos and videos are a fair reflection, and everyone who has seen the car so far has been delighted by its condition and quality.
Just realised it would be the fixing bolts for the bumpers ?????
Also what used to be under the black plastic grommets that have been fitted to both front and rear bumpers please?
Hello again Tim,
I have a few more questions and hope that these don’t trouble you too much. I have placed a bid already so i am genuinely interested. Also others may benefit from these questions too.
Has the cylinder head had hardened valve seats fitted so it can be run on unleaded at all, or do you add an additive?
There is a plate in the engine compartment that has the chassis number and matching engine number stamped on it. However, it is held down with modern Philips screws that look quite new, so this could have been re-stamped on a new plate? Did Red Triangle actually check the number on the engine block to clarify the numbers for you?
I have seen somewhere in the paperwork photo 140 that it said it was an automatic! Was this the case originally, as in one of your videos you thought the stalk on the steering column was the overdrive stalk. The automatic would not have overdrive so i am presuming it did have a four speed manual gearbox with overdrive before the 5 speed conversion?
Also there are a few photos of what appears to be invoices but on closer inspection are just quotes, do you know if that work was actually carried out? one quote mentioned the interior lights not working because there was no wiring to the switch and gave a price to sort it out. Did it get done? photo 159
Sorry for the lengths of questions but your help would be much appreciated.
Regards……Dean
This is the website of the people that did the work – https://www.chrisprince.co.uk
And yes, I can confirm the car has no power steering, but I would also suggest it doesn’t need it. Tim
Hi Dean – if you look at photos number 96 and 110 in the ‘History and Paperwork photographs’ section you will find more information. The work was carried out in late 2015 and the work included:
Tremac T5 gearbox
Adaptor plate and bolts
Clutch driven plate
Propshaft
Gearbox rear mounting plate
Gearstick and knob
Speedo drive angle drive
Crankshaft spigot bush
Rear tie
plus labour.
I hope this helps, Tim.
Hello Tim, are you able to tell me more about the Tremec T5 gearbox. Do you know what year the gearbox is, or the exact model, as some were made stronger than others. I hope you can help with this. Also i presume the car still has no power steering.
Regards….Dean
I am asking about the gearbox because is it a ZF from the slightly later car or sourced from a more modern vehicle!
Many thanks for your enquiry. The photos and video give a very accurate complete representation of the car so you should bid with confidence. I don’t think I’m allowed to give out the reserve so would suggest you contact Trade Classics directly. I can of course jump on a phone call and discuss the car with you at any point and you can get my details from them as well. Many thanks, Tim.
Hi I would like to come and have a look at your car but I am in Devon. Could you give me some idea of the reserve as I don’t want a wasted journey.