Alvis T-Series 21
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Alvis TA 21 TB 21 TC 21/100 TC 108 / G TD 21 TE 21 TF 21 |
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| Production period: | 1950-1967 |
| Class : | upper middle class |
| Body versions : | Sedan , convertible , roadster |
| Previous model: | Alvis T-Series 14 |
The T-Series 21 is a series of vehicles from the British company Alvis , which was produced in various variations from 1950 to 1967 as the successor to the T-Series 14 . It was the last series from Alvis.
TA 21 and TB 21
The Alvis TA 21 appeared in 1950 as the successor to the Alvis TA 14 .
The car had a six-cylinder in - line engine with 2993 cm³ displacement with overhead valves and a single Solex carburetor, which made 83 bhp (61 kW) at 4000 rpm. The new chassis, which is slightly longer with a 2832 mm wheelbase and a slightly wider track width of 1384 mm, could in turn be fitted with various bodies, e.g. B. a four-door sedan or a two-door convertible. All superstructures were 4636 mm long and 1676 mm wide. The cars were still in the traditional pre-war style (curved fenders, running boards and rear-hinged front doors). Only the previously free-standing headlights have been integrated. The rear axle was suspended on semi-elliptical leaf springs, the front suspension had coil springs. The maximum speed was approx. 138 km / h.
The cars were also available with an engine with 2 SU carburettors, which also ran at 4000 rpm. 93 bhp (68 kW) delivered. He accelerated the vehicle to 143 km / h.
Alvis TA 21 Cabriolet (1952)
Alvis TA 21 (1953)
Alvis TA 21 (1953)
Fittings
In 1951 the TA 21 was joined by the Alvis TB 21 as the successor to the TA 14 . It had the same engine as the TA 21, but with a single SU carburetor. In this version it delivered 95 bhp (70 kW). There were few changes to the body of the predecessor, only the kidney-shaped radiator grille was replaced by a more conventional, narrower model. The wheelbase, track width and width corresponded to the values of the TA 21, but the vehicle length was shorter at 4509 mm. The top speed was 161 km / h (100 miles / hour). The bodies were made by AP Metalcraft in Coventry . About 30 copies of TB 21 were made. In 1953 the roadster was discontinued without replacement.
Alvis TB 21 Sports Roadster (1952)
Alvis TB 21 Roadster (1952)
TC 21/100
The Alvis TC 21/100 replaced the TA 21 model in 1953. The wheelbase, track width, vehicle length and vehicle width remained unchanged. Instead of the previous disc wheels with hubcaps, there were now spoke wheels with central locking. The “100” in the model designation indicates the new engine output that was achieved with 2 SU carburettors; it was 100 bhp (74 kW) with a further 4000 rpm. This number can also be related to the maximum speed; 100 mph (161 km / h) could also be achieved with this sporty sedan. This model was manufactured until 1956.
From 1952 Alvis developed the TA 350 , a technically ambitious sedan with a self-supporting body , connected spring systems and an eight-cylinder V-engine, which was to replace the traditional three-liter models from 1956. The project was too expensive for Alvis, so it was abandoned in 1955.
The Graber models
TC 108 / G
The successor of the TC 21/100 was Alvis TC 108 / G . It was powered by an in-line six-cylinder engine that developed 104 bhp (76.5 kW) at 4000 rpm. The car appeared in October 1955. In general, a distinction must be made between the standard models with factory body and Graber Specials with individual superstructures from Hermann Graber.
- The factory body of the TC 108 / G followed a design by Hermann Graber , which was a further development of several individual bodies by the Swiss body manufacturer that had already been shown from 1953. Stylistically, the factory TC 108 / G represented a major development step, because with this vehicle Alvis parted with the previous, long-outdated body design. The traditional English limousine shape gave way to a new pontoon body without running boards and with doors hinged at the front, which the press praised as being very harmonious. The factory body was manufactured by the bus manufacturer Willowbrook from Loughborough because Alvis' previous body supplier, Mulliners of Birmingham, no longer had any capacity after it was taken over by Standard Triumph . The TC 108 / G was only available from the factory as a two-door sedan, which had a rear panoramic window as a special feature . Compared to its predecessor, the vehicle length had increased to 4801 mm while maintaining the same width.
- In addition, Graber manufactured further individual coupés and convertibles on the Alvis chassis in his Bern workshop at the customer's request. These Graber Specials differ to a greater or lesser extent from the factory superstructures in details such as roof design and radiator grille.
The production volume of the TC 108 / G is very small; most sources assume 15 to 17 standard models with Willowbrook bodies and another 22 Graber specials. The factory models were priced at around £ 3,500. Production of the TC 108 / G ended in 1958 after controversy over quality defects in the Willowbrook body.
TD 21
The successor to the TC 108 / G was the Alvis TD 21 , which was presented in October 1958. The body offered at the factory was again a design by Hermann Graber. The basic layout of the structure followed that of the TC 108 / G, and the overall proportions also remained unchanged; The main difference between the TD-21 sedan and its predecessor was its conventional C-pillar, which dispensed with the panoramic window previously used. TD 21 was still available as a two-door sedan ( saloon ) and for the first time also as a factory-made convertible ( drophead ). The factory body was now produced by the Rolls-Royce- affiliated manufacturer Park Ward , who achieved higher production numbers at significantly lower prices through the use of sheet metal presses. On the drive side, the 3.0-liter engine of the TC 108 / G was adopted. A new cylinder head and minor interventions increased the engine output to 115 bhp (86 KW).
In 1962 a version called Series II appeared, which differed from the first version by a modified arrangement of the headlights. The chassis, the gearbox and the brakes were also gradually modernized. From 1962, a five-speed manual transmission from ZF and disc brakes on all four wheels were standard equipment.
From 1958 to 1964, 1070 Alvis TD 21s with factory body were built. After initial success, however, interest in the TD 21 declined. Engine performance turned out to be a particular problem. Objectively it was sufficient; the immediate competitors such as AC , Bristol or Jensen were able to offer more and more power because they had meanwhile switched to American eight-cylinder engines. Alvis couldn't do it justice.
In addition to the factory bodies, the Graber body shop in Switzerland manufactured numerous special bodies at the customer's request; the annual production was around half a dozen vehicles. Based on the TD 21 Mark 2, two or three four-door sedans called Sportsedan were created with a greatly modified design.
TE 21
The Alvis TE 21 presented in 1964 was also called "Alvis Three Liter Series III" in some advertisements. This designation is not unjustified, because the TE 21 was a further development of the TD 21 Mark 2. The new car was technically and optically largely the same as the previous model. Externally, the TE 21 could be recognized by the twin headlights arranged one above the other, a design element that Hermann Graber had been using for years in his special bodies. The TE 21 were also factory-fitted with steel disc wheels with hubcaps that replaced the spoked wheels of the earlier models. Engine and driving performance increased again to 130 bhp (96 kW) at 5000 / min., Or 179 km / h.
Graber also offered some special bodies here. Between autumn 1964 and autumn 1966 355 copies of the TE 21 were made.
Alvis TE 21 sedan (1963)
Alvis TE 21 sedan (1964)
engine
Alvis TE 21 with Graber body
Alvis TE 21 as a four-door sedan by Graber (1962)
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TF 21
1966 appeared as the last model of the series, the Alvis TF 21 , which was also referred to as "Alvis Series IV" in a sales brochure. The vehicles were now equipped with spoked wheels again and their length had again reached the old dimension of the TC 108 / G of 4801 mm. The engine - still the same as in the TA 21 model from 1950 - was now equipped with three SU carburettors, so that a maximum output of 150 bhp (110 kW) at 4750 rpm. was achieved. This allowed a top speed of 192 km / h.
In 1967 the production of the series - and with it the entire car production of Alvis - was finally stopped. A total of 106 copies of the TF 21 were produced. The last car manufactured in August 1967 was factory fitted with an eight-cylinder Rover .
Alvis TF 21 sedan (1966)
Alvis TF 21 Cabriolet (1967)
Alvis TF 21 with Graber body (1967)
Rear view
swell
- David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895-1975 . Veloce Publishing, Dorchester 1997, ISBN 1-874105-93-6 , pp. 35-40.
- Swiss Connection - Gentle restraint: Alvis TC to TF21 , in: Oldtimer-Markt , special issue "Luxury, performance and four seats: Gran Turismo, the big travel coupés", July 1994.
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