1952 ALVIS TA21 THREE-POSITION DROPHEAD COUPE Registration ...

Estimate

£22,000 - £27,000

1952 ALVIS TA21 THREE-POSITION DROPHEAD COUPE

Registration Number: HUJ 259
Chassis Number: 24489
Recorded Mileage: c.20,500 miles

Benefits from mechanical overhaul courtesy of specialist Red Triangle
Over £35,000 in restoration/maintenance bills from marque specialists 

‘The Alvis has never been an ordinary car for the masses, but a mount for the sporting and discerning driver interested in a quality product, and in a car that still looks like a car and is ruggedly built. By this it is not meant that the 3-litre is old fashioned; far from it, for the chassis is in fact as advanced as most.’ Autocar, 1952.

Announced in 1950 at Geneva, the new 3-litre TA21 model carried over much of its predecessor, the TA14’s, looks, but with new independent front suspension and an overhead-valve, six-cylinder engine. Featuring a seven-bearing crankshaft and near ‘square’ (84 x 90) bore and stroke dimensions, it proved notably smooth and flexible. Based around a sturdy box-section chassis equipped with independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a 'live' Salisbury back axle, telescopic shock absorbers and four-wheel Girling hydraulic drum brakes, the TA21 was a natural rival to the Bentley MKVI and Lagonda 2.6 litre. 

The lineup comprised the Mulliner Sports Saloon, a sports two-seater and a Tickford-bodied two-door Drophead Coupé from 1951, aimed at the growing U.S. market where Alvis was starting to become noticed.

Just 303 Drophead Coupes were made before the model was replaced in 1953 with the revised TC21.

Wearing Shropshire registration plates, although its earlier history is unclear, we know that by 1991 #24489 was with a new owner, who a few years later commissioned a coachwork restoration. We understand this was completed by Kynaston Auto Services, with a supporting photographic record. Around the same time a new mohair hood was fitted. In 2003 the TA21 travelled to marque specialist Red Triangle for various mechanical works (including a cylinder head overhaul) at a cost of £7,738. The Alvis returned over the following years for a major engine overhaul, servicing and attention to its steering, gearbox, cooling system, wiring, brakes and suspension. Bills in the history file total an additional c.£28,000. The interior leather trim is believed to be original, and whilst showing signs of age in places, shows a wonderful patina which would be a shame to lose by its replacement. Red Triangle road tested the TA for the owner around 2021, reporting the engine, gearbox, clutch, final drive, steering and suspension all deemed to be in good order, the only comments being that the brakes needed ‘bedding in’ and that the fuel gauge was flickering. 

This fine looking open coupe is offered complete with a V5C, a large history file of maintenance and restoration, and a current MoT certificate valid to the end of August 2024.