1967 2993 cc Alvis TF21 3 Litre Cabriolet first registered Jan 1st 1967
Cranleigh Lions Classic Car Show
30 October, 2024
You don't see too many of these classics
Do your tastes or appreciation of cars or car types change over time?
Do certain cars have more appeal to you or perhaps less as you get a bit older?
The car above is a 2 door luxury Alvis TF21 Cabriolet with veneered wooden facia, leather upholstery and carpeting which competed in it's day with other luxury car brands such as Bentley and Mercedes.
Interesting to note is that the TF21 coachwork is built by the same specialist that produces the Rolls Royce.
It has a 3 litre engine under the bonnet with no less than three SU carburettors, first registered on Jan 1st 1967 and, to my mind, with it's stacked twin headlamps, is a real beauty with more than a touch of regal elegance.
The engine views are also from an Alvis TF21, but are the saloon version.
Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was a British manufacturing company established in Coventry 1919 and has a rich history.
In addition to luxury automobiles designed for the civilian market, the company also produced racing cars, aircraft engines, armoured cars and other armoured fighting vehicles.
1966 Alvis TF21 FHC
Note the three SU carburettors
The engine photographs were taken at the rather excellent Cranleigh Lions Classic Car Show on August 11th 2024, (this years show is on Sunday 10th August 2025) where there were some truly magnificent motor cars amongst the thousand or so on display.
What is a little annoying is that the “photographer” (I use the term loosely) should take pictures of a 3 litre, ash framed car, capable of 120 mph and not bother taking pictures of the full vehicle in all it's glory, especially one with such a rich heritage, a loyal following, and a total production run, of saloon and drophead versions, of just 106 between 1966 and 1967 by London Coachwork Company Park Ward.
I am not naming names, but,……. you know who you are.
Undeterred, other sources of this particular Alvis were sought and found…..
Lloyd Vehicle Consulting recorded (Thank you!) "A Slightly Shambolic Shuffle Around the 2024 Cranleigh Lions Classic Car Show” culminating in nine Utube videos of the day.
The same red 1966 Alvis TF21 2993 cc saloon with its inline-6 cylinder engine, a car that with its 3 SU carburettors, delivers 150 brake horsepower, is visible in the eighth video seen below, commencing at “1 minute and 32 seconds” in the video shown below.
1955 Alvis TC21/100 "Grey Lady’ Drophead Coupe
The 100mph TC21/100 nicknamed the “Grey Lady” from its presentation colours at the 1953 Earls Court Motor Show
Chasing Bentley's
There was a time when Alvis cars were chasing those of Bentley around the Le Mans circuit.
Le Mans 1928
33 drivers started the sixth edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
17 cars crossed the finish line.
Overall Winner: Bentley Motors Ltd secured first place with their 4.4-litre, 6-cylinder engine.
Second place was the French Stutz DV-16 Blackhawk, a 4.9-litre, 8-cylinder car.
Third and fourth places were were the Chrysler 72's, powered by 4.1-litre, 6-cylinder engines.
Fifth Place was Bentley Motors Ltd also with another 4.4-litre, 6-cylinder car.
First and Second in Class - Alvis
Taking 6th and 9th places overall, and coming first and second in their class, were the front-engined Alvis cars with their 1482cc engines.
It's notable that this was the first foray into the race for British marques Alvis, Aston Martin, and Lagonda, as well as for Ford.
I hope this has whetted your appetite. We will be bringing you a special feature on Alvis Cars soon!