Details of Cars

Alvis TC 21 and TC 21/100 Grey Lady, 1953–1955

ALVIS

Alvis TC 21/100 Grey Lady saloon of 1955
Alvis TC 21/100 Grey Lady saloon, 1955. Photo by Draco2008 from UK, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Alvis Three Litre, also known as TC 21, is a luxury car produced by Alvis between 1953 and 1955. An updated version of the TA 21, it was available as a four-door saloon and, in its later TC 21/100 form, also as a two-door drophead coupé.

Alvis TC 21 at a glance

Alvis TC 21 and TC 21/100 key specifications
Production 1953–1955
Engine 2,993 cc six; TC 21: 100 bhp (75 kW) with twin SU carburettors
Bodies four-door Mulliners saloon; TC 21/100 also drophead coupé
Suspension and brakes as the TA 21: coil springs at the front, 11 in Lockheed drums
TC 21/100 announced 20 October 1953
TC 21/100 changes compression ratio 8:1 (from 7:1), final drive 3.77:1 (from 4.09:1), bonnet scoops, wire wheels
TC 21/100 top speed (The Motor, 1954) 100.1 mph (161.1 km/h)
0–60 mph 15.4 seconds
Test car price £1,821 including taxes

This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.

History of the Alvis TC 21

The TC 21 was a saloon only; unlike the TA 21 no drophead was offered at first. A sunshine roof remained standard, along with separately adjustable front seats, a heater and air-conditioning unit and Trico washers, which drew the comment from Autocar that in detail fittings the car left little to be desired. The engine was upgraded to 100 bhp by modifying the head and fitting twin SU carburettors. The update found few buyers in a very difficult year for the British motor industry, and in practice it was replaced by the TC 21/100 Grey Lady.

Alvis TC 21/100 Grey Lady of 1955 seen from the side
Alvis TC 21/100 Grey Lady (1955). Photo by Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Grey Lady came with a guaranteed 100 mph top speed, thanks to an improved exhaust and the higher compression ratio. It gained bonnet air scoops and standard wire wheels to enliven its image, and a paired fog lamp and driving lamp became standard. In July 1955 The Times motoring correspondent observed that this Alvis had become one of the few British cars that did not look American.

A Graber-bodied coupé on a TC 21/100 chassis was shown at the London Motor Show in October 1955, and the similar TC 108G entered limited production the following year.

Design and features

  • Interior: leather upholstery, pile carpets and walnut facings on the dashboard.
  • Instruments: centre-mounted, so the driver’s left hand could mask the speedometer.

Alvis TC 21 versions

  • TC 21: 100 bhp saloon.
  • TC 21/100 Grey Lady: saloon and drophead with a guaranteed 100 mph.
  • Graber coupé and TC 108G: the 1955–56 follow-ups.

More Alvis cars are in our Alvis collection, for example the TA 21 and the TD 21.

Alvis TC 21 questions and answers

What was the Grey Lady?

The TC 21/100, announced on 20 October 1953, with a guaranteed 100 mph top speed.

What did it change over the TC 21?

Higher compression, a taller final drive, bonnet scoops and wire wheels.

What followed it?

The TC 108G, and later the TD 21.

Sources

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