1958 Alvis TC 108G

Following World War II, British-based manufacturer Alvis resumed civilian automobile production with the Fourteen model, also known as the TA 14, announced on November 14th of 1946. Its straight-4 engine displaced 1,892cc and was paired with a four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh. Body styles included a four-door sports saloon built by Mulliners of Birmingham and drophead versions by Tickford and Carbodies. Production of the TA 14 ended in 1950 after 3,311 examples were built.

The next Alvis model was the Alvis Three Liter, also known as the TA 21, equipped with a 2,993cc engine that offered just over 80 horsepower. Its wheelbase of 111.5-inches was 3.5-inches larger than its predecessors, and it was 7.5-inches longer with an overall length of 182 inches. Its width of 66 inches was the same as the TA 14 and was only slightly higher at 62.5 inches. The center section of the body was sourced from the earlier TA 14 and body styles once again included the four-door Saloon and Tickford drophead. Of the 1,316 examples built, 302 were dropheads. Mulliners provided the coachwork for the saloon bodies. One hundred examples of the two-seater open car, known as the TB 14, were built atop the running gear of the TA14 saloon and built only in 1950. Thirty-one examples of the Alvis TB21 two-seater open roadster, resting on the running gear of the TA 21 saloon, were built in 1951.

Alvis Three Litre TC 21
The Alvis TC 21, built from 1953 to 1955, was only available as a four-door saloon with the bodies created by Mulliners. The 111.5-inch wheelbase and 182-inch length were the same as the TA 21, and its 2,993cc straight-6 cylinder engine was upgraded to produce 100 horsepower (up from 83 horsepower of the TA 21). The increase was due to twin SU carburetors and a modified cylinder head. The suspension remained the same as the TA 21, with leaf springs at the rear and an independent setup at the front with coil springs. Stopping power was courtesy of 11-inch drums, again sourced from the TA 21.

Alvis TC.21 / 100 Grey Lady
The Alvis TC.21/100, also known as the Grey Lady was offered as a four-door saloon and drophead coupe body style with styling updates that included air scoops, wire wheels, a front fog lamp, and matching driving lamp. The final drive ratio increased from 4.09:1 to 3.77:1, and the compression raised from 7:1 to 8:1. Along with an improved exhaust system, the TC.21 was capable of achieving 100 mph.

Production of the TC 21 lasted from 1953 to 1955 with 757 examples built. Most of the bodies were built by Mulliners which was often criticized for its classic styling. In contrast, the designs created by coachbuilder Graber of Switzerland were praised for their modern appeal and elegant lines. When production of the Alvis TC 108G began in 1956, the rights to the Graber style were acquired and the bodies were initially built by bus builder Willowbrook of Loughborough. Retaining the wheelbase of its predecessor and growing seven inches in its length, the TC 108 G was produced through 1958 with fewer than 40 examples created.

The Alvis TC 108G used a traditional wooden frame and was offered as a two-door, four-seat saloon. The 2,993cc engine received minor modifications through twin SU carburetors and to its cylinder head resulting in output increased slightly to 104 bhp at 4,000 RPM. The TC 21 suspension remained the same with coil springs at the front and leaf springs at the rear.

The bodies created by Willowbrook were expensive and few examples were sold. Graber later resumed production.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2022