19th Jun, 2024 13:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 104
 

1951 Alvis TA21
No Reserve

Sold for £5,850

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: CMM 828
Chassis No: 24077
MOT: Exempt

  • Owned by the vendor since 1973 and toured all over Europe within his 51 years of custodianship
  • Treated to a bare metal restoration in the late 1970s
  • Later twin carburettor specification
  • A very well-maintained example now requiring cosmetic attention and supplied with one of the most extensive history files we have seen

Introduced at the March 1950 Geneva Salon, the Alvis TA21 was powered by a brand new 3 litre, straight-six OHV 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. Available in either Mulliner Sports Saloon or Tickford Drophead Coupe guises, it was deemed by Autocar magazine to be fitting for ‘discerning owners who appreciated quality and good handling as well as mere performance’.

First registered on 18th June 1951, chassis 24077 was first registered as 'MUR 635' and sold by Royston Motor Co Ltd to Wallace King Limited of Prince of Wales Road, Norwich. Originally delivered in Grey over a Red Leather interior. Within three months the car was sold on to a Mr S Wagner of Hendon, London and passed through a further three owners before being acquired by the current owner and vendor on the 7th April 1973 for the princely sum of £165. Having purchased the now rather tired looking Alvis, he then decided to embark upon a full overhaul which was completed in 1979 which included bodywork, paint and mechanical componentry. A well known figure in the Alvis Club, the vendor has attended numerous club rallies both domestic and across Europe and has regularly used the car throughout the whole of his ownership. Fondly and rather aptly named 'The Mistress' by his late wife, the vendor has compiled one of the most extensive history files for any car that we have seen and it is easy to lose count of bills from marque specialists Red Triangle and Chris Prince plus other suppliers dating all the way back to 1973. Having enjoyed the car for over fifty years, the restoration completed all the way back in 1979 is now looking cosmetically a little tired, however the vendor describes the TD21's mechanical condition as 'excellent' and that the overall structural condition as 'good'.

With all those years of ownership and the acquisition and subsequent full restoration of a Drophead Alvis, the vendor has now decided to part company with 'The Mistress', hoping that a new owner will cherish the car and continue the story with hopefully many more miles of happy motoring ahead!

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 19th Jun, 2024

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details 

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