Find Lots

• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  The Motorclassica Auction
• Sale Date:
  14 Oct 2017 ~ 6pm
• Lot #:
  42
• Lot Description:
  1964 ALVIS TE21 SERIES III DROPHEAD COUPE BY PARK WARD
  Chassis No: 27201; Engine No: 27201
• Notes:
  The Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd founded in 1921 was developed from the original 1919 TG John & Co Ltd. The name Alvis was derived from a combination of the words ‘aluminium’ and the Latin word for strength, ‘vis’. Alvis was highly successful prior to the second world war producing stunning chassis and engines such as the Speed 20, Speed 25 and 4.3 litre models which were fitted with coach-built bodies from makers such as Cross and Ellis, Charlesworth, and Vanden Plas. Following racing success at Le Mans in 1928, Alvis developed one of the first ever front wheel drive production cars equipped with an overhead camshaft, and if the customer so desired, an optional supercharger. Alvis developed and manufactured in house a superb 4.3 litre 6-cylinder engine which became very famous in the 1930s. The cars were technically advanced for the period and featured the world’s first all synchromesh gearbox, independent front suspension (a first for a British manufacturer) and servo assisted brakes. In 1938 an Alvis 4.3 litre at Brooklands recorded a maximum speed of 119 mph, a fastest average lap of 115 mph and an average speed of 110 mph. Not only were Alvis cars fast and well built, they were also, in the hands of some of the finest of coach builders, stunning to look at. The two door Bertelli Sports Coupé was first exhibited at the 1935 Paris Motor Show, whilst the aerodynamic splendour of the Lancefield Concealed Hood was first seen at the 1938 London Motor Show. As The Autocar magazine wrote in August 1938, “In the scheme of things there are cars, good cars and super cars, the Alvis falling definitively into the latter category.” Indeed, this may very well be the first time that the oft used term ‘super car’ was ever coined. On November 14th, 1940, during an intense raid on the City of Coventry, 75% of all the buildings in the city, 50% of all homes and 33% of all factories, including the Alvis works were severely damaged. Car production ceased though Alvis as part of the war effort continued to carry out aero engine production for the RAF and ran 21 ‘shadow’ factories. Towards the end of 1946 car production recommenced at Alvis. In these post war years Alvis continued to innovate. By 1950 a new chassis with a 3 litre 6-cylinder engine was announced and this, the TA21, was to be the basis of all the remaining Alvis models. The TA21 had coach-built saloon bodies by Mulliner, a drop head version by Tickford and beautiful specialist coachwork by the Swiss coach builder Graber. The relationship with Graber developed and his designs would have an important bearing on all future Alvis cars from 1955 until the marque’s demise in 1967 after Rover had taken control of the company in 1965. In 1958 Alvis launched the TD21 with production of the range outsourced to Park Ward which was also the coachbuilder for Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The TD21 Drophead, capable of well over 100 mph, was listed in Top Gear’s 2012 ‘The Cool 500: The Coolest Cars Ever Made.’ Prince Philip drove a 1961 Alvis TD21 DHC SII. There were approximately 1000 coupe and drophead coupe TD21 in total. Its immediate successor, the Alvis TE21, again with Park Ward coach-built elegance, is rarer still with only around 300 hand-made examples in total ever built. Exclusive and stylish the TE21 appeared in 1963 with double-stacked headlights one above the other, newly shaped rear wings and 3-litre engine given a new cylinder head to increase power to 130 bhp. It was powerful and highly fashionable. This factory right hand drive example of the TE21 drophead coupe was originally delivered in the UK. It was purchased by its current owner from Altena Classic & Rally Service in the Netherlands at the beginning of the decade. Since its arrival in Australia it has been extensively serviced and maintained to the highest level with all work carried out by Jonathan Houston of Vintage Motor Garage on the Central Coast of New South Wales. VMG has an outstanding reputation as a quality preserver and restorer of classic vehicles. Recently completed work by VMG on this beautiful TE21 DHC included remedial attention to the synchromesh on the highly desirable and much sought after original factory ZF five-speed manual gearbox, the same as also fitted to another 1960s icon, the Aston Martin DB5. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$140,000 - 160,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

  Can't see the realised price? Upgrade your subscription now!

• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.