1959 Alvis TD21 Drophead Coupé
Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd
Registration no. USK 553
Chassis no. 26141
Engine no. 26141

Styled by Swiss carrossier Graber and boasting coachwork manufactured by Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder Park Ward, the Alvis TD21 debuted in 1958. The TD21 retained Alvis's torquey, 3.0-litre, overhead-valve six that came with 104bhp on tap at first, though this was increased early in 1959 to 120bhp courtesy of a new cylinder head. Inside there were improvements to the accommodation, with increased headroom and legroom when compared to the preceding TC108G, especially in the rear. Lockheed servo-assisted disc brakes were now an option, becoming standardised for 1960. A mere 1,070 TD21s were completed between 1959 and 1963, and today these traditional, thoroughbred and luxurious Gran Turismos enjoy an enthusiastic following.

The TD21 drophead coupé offered here was purchased new by the late Judge D M Bevington and comes with one of the most complete vehicle histories we have ever seen, commencing at the first service in December 1959. First registered 'DMB 1', the Alvis was bought in 1972 from a 'Sunday Times' advertisement, sight unseen, by a British Army Major, John Dyas, by which time it had covered some 73,000 miles. In short order the registration changed from 'DMB 1' to 'UFL 883' and then to 'DYS 3'. When Major Dyas took the Alvis to Northern Ireland in 1973, the registration was changed to the local number 'AIB 5931' for security reasons.

Returning to the UK mainland, Major Dyas had the Alvis reregistered with the age-related number 'USK 553', which it retains, and in the early 1990s treated it to a complete cosmetic and mechanical restoration. The car was used by the Dyas family for trips through the French and English countryside, plus the occasional classic rally, until John Dyas's declining health saw it driven less frequently. When John Dyas passed away in 2010, the Alvis was sold to its third owner, Mr M Thomas of Cirencester, who had the engine overhauled at a cost of £3,600, four new wire wheels fitted (£1,084) and a new mohair hood and cover installed (£4,200). More recently, the radiator was rebuilt at a cost of £900. Bills for these works are available and the history file also contains an old-style logbook; a copy of the 'Sunday Times' advertisement; extensive service records and bills; assorted previous-owner correspondence; instruction manuals and parts books; V5C document; and a large quantity of expired MoTs and old tax discs (close inspection recommended). MoT'd until July 2015, this quite magnificent Alvis TD21 will have been driven to the sale.