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Understanding the Automobile

History

Alvis TE 21


Manufacturer	Alvis Cars
Production	1963 to 1966
Type	Luxury car
Produced	352
Body style	2 door saloon 2 door drophead
Layout	FR layout
Engine	Alvis 3.0 L Straight-6
Wheelbase	111.5 inches (2832 mm)
Length	189 inches (4800 mm)
Width	66 inches (1676 mm)
Curb weight	3,250 pounds (1,470 kg) (approx)

The Alvis TE21, also known as the Series III, is an automobile produced by Alvis between 1963 and 1966.

History

The Alvis TE 21 presented in 1964 was also called "Alvis Three Liter Series III" in some advertisements. This designation is not unjustified, because the TE 21 was a further development of the TD 21 Mark 2. Technically and visually, the new car largely corresponded to the previous model. Externally, the TE 21 could be recognized by the double headlights arranged one above the other, a design element that Hermann Graber had been using for his special bodies for years. The TE 21 also received factory steel disc wheels with hubcaps, replacing the spoked wheels on earlier models. Engine and driving performance had increased again to 130 bhp (96 kW) at 5000 rpm, or 179 km/h.

The body was a modified version of the TC108G, designed by Graber of Switzerland and constructed by Park Ward, with twin headlights mounted one above the other. There were two models available: a saloon and a drophead. The lack of bright side trim or creases formed into the body components was highlighted in the design. The windshield was made of a single piece, was curved, and had a moderate slope.

Colour Schemes
PAINTWORK : Alice Blue, Dark Metallic Blue, Dark Green, Alvis Standard Light Grey, Mid Grey, Peony, Black, Metallic Grey. Metallic Beige.
UPHOLSTERY : Tan Leather, Red Leather, pale Blue Leather, Green Leather, Grey Leather, Beige Leather.
HEADLINING, SALOON Vynide Plastic Cream, Vynide Plastic Grey.
HEADLINING, DROPHEAD COUPE : Beige Cloth, Grey Cloth.
CARPET : pale Blue, Grey, Green, Red, Brown, Beige.
HOOD MATERIAL ' EVERFLEX ' : Green, Grey, Black, Fawn, Blue, Red.

The 2993 cc engine, first used in the 1950 TA21, received a modified cylinder head and manifold which increased power to 130 bhp (97 kW) at 4000 rpm giving the car a top speed of 107 mph (172 km/h). A choice of automatic or five speed gearbox made by ZF was available. Suspension was independent at the front using coil springs, with leaf springs at the rear. Disc brakes were fitted to all wheels.

Recirculating-ball-type steering gear was fitted to reduce effort and power steering became optional in late 1964 with the aim of reducing the effort on the part of the driver.At the end of 1964 the power steering became available as an option

Although the car was replaced by the TF21 in 1966, the TE21 was still available to special order until 1967.

Optional Extras
CHROME WIRE WHEELS
Two Tone Paint in Standard Colours
One Tone Paint in Non-Standard Colours
Two Tone Paint in Non-Standard Colours
NON-STANDARD LEATHER
RADIO (Radiomobile)
AUTOMATIC GEARBOX
POWER- ASSISTED STEERING

1965 Alvis TE 21 in Kingdom, with Stephen Fry TV Series 2000s

1965 Alvis TE 21 3-Litre Series III in Kingdom, TV Series

Alvis TE 21 3-Litre in When Did You Last See Your Father?, Movie from 2007

1965 Alvis TE 21 3-Litre Series III in When Did You Last See Your Father?, Movie,

Technical

Alvis TE 21 Specifications (1963-1966)

Engine and Transmission
Six cylinder 3-Litre (2,993 cc.) o.h.v.
84 mm. bore x 90 mm. stroke
Power output 130 b.h.p. at 5,000 r.p.m.
Detachable head with overhead valves actuated by push rods.
Dynamically balanced crankshaft running in seven Vandervell thin shell bearings
connecting rods of alloy steel with Vandervell big end bearings.
Positive lubrication throughout with forced feed to main and big end bearings and rocker shaft.
Twin S.U. carburetters and Lucas coil and distributor ignition system.
Cooling. Pump circulation (thermostatically controlled), with belt-driven fan.
Five speed all-synchromesh gearbox with ratios 3-07, 3-77, 4-86, 6-97, 11-38, reverse 10-71.
Borg & Beck 'D.S.' diaphragm single dry plate clutch.
Centrally placed gear lever. With automatic transmission
ratios are 3•54 to 1 direct, 5•08 to 1 intermediate, 8•17 to 1 low and 7•11 to 1 reverse.
Hardy Spicer propeller shaft with needle roller bearings.
Hypoid bevel semi-floating rear axle.
Suspension.
Independent knee action front suspension with rubber mounted transverse wishbones and large diameter coil springs.
Long semi-elliptic rear springs enclosed in gaiters and greased.
Woodhead Monroe telescopic shock absorbers.
Brakes.
Dunlop disc brakes to all wheels.
Hand brake to rear wheels through separate linkage operated by pull up lever mounted between front seats.
Electrical Equipment.
Lucas 12 volt system with voltage control and vented dynamo.
51 ampere-hour battery.
Built-in twin head lamps, side lamps, flasher rear lights, reverse light,
interior light and twin blended horns.
Interior.
Bucket type front seats available for reach and rake.
All seats upholstered in finest quality leather.
Heavily carpeted floor with felt underlay.
Instrument Board. Fitted with speedometer, revolution counter, clock, oil pressure gauge, petrol gauge, water thermometer ammeter,
ignition warning light, combined ignition switch and start control. All instruments lighted internally.
Jacking System.
Portable screw type system at each corner of the car, easily operated by wheel brace.
Spare Wheel and Tools. Spare wheel carried in easy access tray beneath luggage compartment.
Full kit of tools and tyre pump.
Dimensions.
Wheelbase, 9 ft. 31 ins. Track, 4 ft. 7k ins. (front), 4 ft. 61 ins. (rear)
Ground clearance 61 ins.
Turning circle, 39 ft. 6 ins.
Overall length, 15 ft. 81 ins.
Overall width, 5 ft. 6 ins.
Overall Height : Saloon, 5 ft. 0 ins. ; Coupe, 4 ft. 1 1 ins.
Weight, chassis, 1 7 cwts. Weight (complete car, dry), 29 cwts. approx.
Steering. Burman recirculating ball type. 161 in. spring spoke wheel, adjustable for reach.
Wheels and Tyres. Bolt-on disc wheels fitted with Dunlop 15 tyres.
Centre lock wire wheels with knock-on hubs available as an optional extra.
Petrol Supply. 14•3 gallon tank with engine-driven pump. One gallon reserve.

Service

Alvis TE 21 Maintenance and Service Guide (1963-1966)

fuel: 85-90 oct petrol
engine oil change : 12 imp pt, 14.37 US pt, 6.8 1, SAE 20-30 (winter) 30-40 (summer), change every 2,000 miles, 3,200 km
gearbox oil: 4.60 imp pt, 5.50 US pt, 2.6 1, SAE 30, change every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km
final drive oil: 3.50 imp pt, 4.23 US pt, 2 1, SAE 90, change every 5,000 miles, 8,000 km
greasing: every 1,900 miles, 3,000 km, 18 points
tappet clearances: inlet 0.009 in, 0.23 mm hot, exhaust 0.012 in, 0.30 mm hot
valve timing: inlet opens 13° before tdc and closes 46° after bdc, exhaust opens 53° before bdc and closes 6° after tdc
normal tyre pressure: front 26 psi, 1.8 atm, rear 28 psi, 2 atm.