Alvis TA21 Drophead Coupé

A well-specified example that’s well known to vendors and renowned Alvis specialists Red Triangle, says Paul Hardiman

This Tickford-bodied drophead, one of 302 convertibles out of 1316s TA21S built in total, was bought on 24 July 1953 from Brooklands of Bond Street by a Mr Vasolije Vornovich of Bracknell. Highly specced when new, it retains its original HMV push-button radio and seat belts to this day.

From 1976-88 the Alvis lived in Toronto, while the old Mots with the car track back to 1994. The current vendor, Red Triangle, offered it for sale previously – in 2002 – and it was also serviced there from 2009-11 when it was bought by the last owner. Red Triangle started looking after it again in June 2019, when about £8000 was spent including fitting new rear springs. In 2010 it received a replacement unleadedcompatible cylinder head, then a new camshaft and another replacement head in 2015; the old cam is in the boot.

Having the air of a very original car that’s been gently refurbished and titivated over its life rather than undergoing a large and comprehensive restoration all in one go, it was last repainted in its original colour during a body restoration by VRV Automobiles in Bognor Regis in 1999. It’s holding up well, with good door fit, the only minuses being a small rust star on the left rear wheel spat and a little road rash to the front of the same arch – the right side is much better. There’s one small chip in the right side of the boot opening. The chrome was redone at the same time and is still good, apart from a couple of ripples and dings in the front bumper. The tyres are well-treaded Vredesteins.

Inside, it’s all still good. The rear seat leather looks almost unused, the driver’s side front being the most heavily worn – it’s shiny, creased and baggy. The carpets, with leather edging to match the seats, don’t look very old, although the driver’s heel pad is already splitting. The door trims are very good, the timber not quite so much – the door cappings are slightly delaminating both sides and the glovebox lid has a couple of cracks, while the dash itself is in good condition. The vinyl hood is good and may be the original – it’s straightforward enough to stow, using the hood bag,

The motor is a bit less than concours, with a fairly recent modern battery, but it’s functional, with a newish fabricated exhaust from the cast manifold down.

It starts easily and drives well, with a good, supple ride thanks to those recently replaced rear springs. It’s swifter than you expect, but Alvises are sporting cars and this is lighter than its slightly weighty looks would suggest, at under 1500kg – roughly the same as a diesel Ford Focus estate.

The steering is slop-free and the brakes are smooth; the all-drum system pulls up straight with a longish pedal, and the handbrake holds well. Oil pressure is 50psi on the move, with temperature at 75°C; both normal. It will have new fluids and a service at sale; it’s priced slightly over other comparable cars on the market, but it is well-specced and you are effectively buying from the factory.