1952 Alvis TA21

In March 1950, the Alvis TA21 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Bearing a strong resemblance to the earlier Alvis Fourteen which it replaced, it had a new chassis frame and new 2993cc engine. The Alvis TA21 was a distinctly up-market gentleman's motor car, with an average sale price of £1871. Autocar magazine reported that the TA21 would appeal to 'discerning owners who appreciate quality and good handling as well as performance'. The TA21 is a front-engine, rear wheel drive car, and is often known as the Alvis Three Litre TA 21.

The TA21 was available as a four door saloon and also as a Drophead Coupe. While Mulliners of Birmingham were appointed to build the saloon bodies, the Drophead Coupes were built by Tickford of Newport Pagnell. There was also a TB21 sports tourer based on the Fourteen Sports. The body's centre section came across from the existing TA14 and the doors continued to be hinged from the rear. At 15' 2" in length the new TA21 was 7" longer than the outgoing model, and this extra length was accounted for by the two extra cylinders and the larger boot. Drum brakes were specified all-round but were now hydraulically operated for the first time on an Alvis. Suspension was by live rear axle and half-elliptic springs, while the recently introduced independent coil-sprung suspension was used at the front. Leather upholstery was still very much the norm and there were two individual front seats and a bench rear seat.

The TA21 had a 4-speed manual gearbox and a new overhead valve (ohv) six-cylinder 2993cc engine which developed 90bhp at 4000rpm. Top speed was 86mph and 60mph came up in 19.6 seconds- the 7:1 compression ratio had to be kept fairly low to cope with the poor quality of the post-war petrol.

By the time the more powerful Alvis TC21 was introduced in 1953 the TA21's total production run totalled 1319 cars including 3 prototypes. TA21 Saloon production amounted to 1003 cars and 303 TA21 Tickford Drophead Coupes were built, 1 was an Estate car and 9 chassis went to Graber for special coachwork.

The Alvis TA21 is a refined and elegant classic car, drives well and has excellent suspension. The support network is very good, and simple, robust design makes the TA21 easy to work on for the amateur mechanic. Even parts that have worn out tend to remain operable, so they are great cars to own while carrying out a ‘rolling restoration’.

The biggest criticism of the TA21 is usually a lack of power; Alvis were aware of this at the time, and so transformed the car into the TC21/100 ‘Grey Lady’ in late 1953 with a guaranteed maximum speed of 100mph.

The market puts a significant premium on Alvis TA21 Tickford drop-head coupes, over the TA21 Mulliner saloon, with the d.h.c. more than double the value of a saloon equivalent.

Similar cars from Alvis include the earlier 1892cc TA14 and the later TC21 and TC21/100 ‘Grey Lady’. Alternatives include the Bentley VI, the Bentley R Type and the Armstrong Siddeley Lancaster.