1954 Alvis TC21/100 Grey Lady

Description

Just two owners in the last 34 years; well-maintained and in regular use; runs like a sewing machine; just serviced and driven to the sale; remarkable current owner 

Introduced in October 1953, the Alvis TC21/100 Grey Lady was aimed at the sort of chap who might also have a Bentley MkVI or a Lagonda 2.6 on his shopping list. A chap like the Duke of Edinburgh perhaps, or Sir Douglas Bader, both of whom succumbed to the charms of the Alvis. While a steady chap like the Duke might opt for the Mulliner Saloon version, a raffish sort like Bader could opt for the Tickford Drophead Coupe.

With a high compression cylinder head and taller final drive ratio, the Grey Lady was credited with 100bhp and a headline-grabbing 100mph top speed. Great pains were taken to ensure that the engine was as smooth and flexible as possible, with a seven-bearing crankshaft and minutely calculated cam profiles and pushrod damper springs to keep mechanical chatter to a minimum. The engine proved so successful that it was to power all subsequent Alvis models until they ceased production in 1967, reaching its most powerful form in the 150bhp TF21 in 1966.

The TC21 was only in production for three years, being replaced by the TC108G in 1955 by which time 757 had been sold, around 600 of them Mulliner Saloons.

Copies of the factory build sheets show that this Grey Lady Saloon left the works in October 1954 destined for Alvis agent James H Galt of Glasgow. The buff logbook shows that the first owner was Henry Bono Haeffner of Purley, listing two further owners up until the late-1960s.

In 1990, when it had covered 72,783 miles, it was acquired from Red Triangle by a Mr Williamson of Spalding, the purchase invoice showing that he paid £11,500 for the car. He was to keep it for the next 21 years, an invoice for a reground crank and new main and big end bearings implying that he had the engine rebuilt in 1997.

Our vendor acquired the car from Mr Williamson in 2011. A lifelong Alvis devotee and a founder member of the Alvis Car Club of Australia, he bought his first Alvis, a rare 12/40 model, when he was stationed with Bomber Command in England in 1944 and has rarely been without one since, including some exotic ones like the 'Mac Job Special' racer, famously the fastest Alvis in Australia.

Resident in England since the early 1990s, he has covered some 8,000 miles in this Grey Lady during his 13-year ownership, the odometer currently showing (1)22,146 miles. He has looked after it meticulously, a good file of invoices showing regular servicing and upkeep with various new parts fitted (water pump; clutch kit; shock absorbers; rear suspension springs; brake master cylinder; radiator rebuilt; carbs rebuilt by Burlen; front bumper rechromed etc).

Immediately before the auction, we are told that the car was thoroughly checked over by Vintage car expert Will Harris, including an overhaul of the braking system, new ignition parts, fresh engine oil and a new Varta 120Ah battery. He also drove it some 20 miles to the sale and was mightily impressed by the way it went.

As you can see in the photos, this Grey Lady looks most attractive and has been starting promptly and running like a sewing machine as we have moved her around on site, with good 50psi oil pressure. She comes with a good assortment of technical literature (parts catalogues; brochures; period road tests etc) and both rear wheel spats (currently removed for ease of transport).

Captain of a Lancaster bomber when he was just 19 years old, our vendor survived 19 sorties over Germany towards the end of WW2, including one where he lost his entire crew, his own life being saved by an armour plate which had been fitted behind his pilot's seat just a few days before. The typical life expectancy of a bomber pilot attacking the heavily defended German heartland was four sorties.

Due to celebrate his 100^th birthday at the end of this month, he recently hung up his driving gloves for good, hence his Grey Lady appearing in this sale. On offer here at an enticing guide price, she now needs an enthusiastic new owner to add their own chapter to her interesting life to date.  

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com