Motor Car History
 Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Motor car history
Understanding the Automobile
Toggle Navigation
  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • A
  • Alvis
  • Alvis TC 21 100 (1953-1955)
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Motor Car Guide
    • Induction & Exhaust
    • Tyres wheels Brakes
    • Vehicle Body types
    • Electrical & electronic
    • Gearbox & Drivetrain
    • Engine Components
    • Suspension Types
    • Engines
  • Trivia
    • Advertising
    • Race events
    • Film & TV
    • Museums
  • links
    • Advertise your business
    • About us
    • Help with a donation
  • Log in
  • Register
  • Advertise
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • A
  • Alvis
Categories
Alvis
Luxury Cars
1950s
Britain

History

 

Alvis TC 21 and TC 21/100 "Grey Lady"

Alvis TC 21 and TC 21/100 "Grey Lady" car history

Manufacturer

Alvis Cars

Production

1953 to 1955 

Class

Luxury car

Produced

7576

Body style

4-door saloon 2-door drophead

Layout

FR layout

Engine

Alvis 3.0 L Straight-6

Transmission

4-speed manual

Wheelbase

111.5 in (2,832 mm)

Length

182 in (4,623 mm)

Width

66 in (1,676 mm)

Height

62.5 in (1,588 mm)

Dry weight

28 1/2 cwt

 

The Alvis TC 21 was a luxury British sports car from the 1950s made by Alvis cars between 1953 and 1955. 

History

The car was available in four-door saloon and drophead versions It was an updated version of the TA 21 so the bodies style was essentially the same. The saloon bodies were made for Alvis by Mulliners in Birmingham while the drophead version by Tickford.

Alvis TC 21/100 "Grey Lady" specs

The 2,993-cc engine was upgraded to produce 100 bhp (75 kW) by modifying the cylinder head and fitting twin SU horizontal carburetors with 4 speed gear box Electrical system was a Lucas 12-volt type. Suspension was the same as the TA 21, independent at the front using coil springs with leaf springs at the rear both with Girling telescopic Shock absorbers and Burman Steering gear. The 11 in (279 mm) drum brakes using a Lockheed hydraulic system were also retained.

Alvis TC 21/100 "Grey Lady"

Alvis co., during 1953, introduced a new version of their well-known 3-litre car, called the Grey Lady. The modifications consist of an increase of the compression ratio from the standard 7.1:1 to 8:1 and the raising of the rear axle ratio to give a top gear of 3.77: instead of 4.09.Motoring with a maximum speed of 100 miles per hour, 85 miles per hour in third, and a petrol consumption of 22 miles per gallon at a constant 60 miles per hour.The new model can be distinguished by its additional air vents in the bonnet to permit more air to pass through the engine compartment and its wire Wheels of the Rudge Whitworth pattern with knock-off hubs.

Both saloons' bodies have also undergone several improvements. To increase rear-seat passenger visibility, rear quarter lights have been added. All door lights are now chromium-framed, and concealed door hinges have also been adopted.

TC 21/100 "Grey Lady" Technical details and specifications

The door pockets have been enlarged, and the door locks have been changed to press-button models. The ash trays have been moved to the doors, where they are also out of any draughts, and the facia panel is now in one piece rather than being built up in portions.
Both the conventional TC21 chassis for the regular saloon and drophead coupé as well as the TC21-100 chassis for the new high-performance model have undergone a number of significant modifications for 1954. To boost cooling, the radiator core has been extended by 2 inches, and extensions have also been added to the front of the car to make it simpler to oil the steering box and idler lever.

The exhaust system has also been modified: a new two-piece manifold is connected to the take-off pipe by a spherical joint rather than a copper gasket, which allows for some motion as the engine moves on its flexible mountings. The exhaust gases are then directed away through dual silencers with tailpipes on opposing sides of the chassis after the take-off pipe splits at its base. The form of the fuel tank has been changed at the back of the vehicle since it was discovered that the broad, shallow tank that was previously installed allowed fuel to rush away from the takeoff while the vehicle was braking or accelerating suddenly. As a result, the new tank is smaller and deeper.
The spare wheel tray has had to be slightly modified as a result of the gasoline tank's change in shape. Front fog lamps were also a standard fitting as is the heater but the radio was an option.

Performance: Max bhp : 93 bhp. at 4,000 r.p.m

Alvis TC 21/100 "Grey Lady"

Alvis TC 21  In film and T.V.

Alvis TC 21-100 in Hollywoodland, Movie, with Bob Hoskins & Ben Affleck from 2006

1953 Alvis TC 21-100 in Hollywoodland, Movie, 2006

 
 Alvis TC 21 in The League of Gentlemen, Movie, with Richard Attenborough from 1959
1958 Alvis TC 21 in The League of Gentlemen, Movie, 1959

Technical

  • Alvis TC 21 100 Technical details and specifications (1953-1955)


    ENGINE:
    Cylinders: 6
    Bore: 84 mm.
    Stroke: 90 mm.
    Cubic capacity: 2,993 c.c.
    Piston area: 51.5 sq. in.
    Valves: Pushrod o.h.v.
    Compression ratio: 7.1: 1
    Carburettor: Twin S.U. horizontal
    Fuel pump: A.C. mechanical
    Cooling system: Pump and fan

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:
    Electrical system:Lucas 12-volt
    Battery capacity:63 amp.-hr.
    Ignition:Coil

    Transmission:
    Clutch:10-in. Borg and Beck
    Gear ratios:4th :4.09 3rd :5.44 2nd :7.89 1st :12.15 Rev :12.15
    Prop. shaft: Hardy Spicer
    Final drive:Hypoid bevel

    BRAKES:
    Brakes: Lockheed hydraulic
    Brake drum diameter: 11 in.
    Friction lining area: 189 sq. in.

    CHASSIS:
    Suspension: Front: Independent coil and wishbone Shock absorbers: Girling telescopic
    Rear: Semi-elliptic Shock absorbers: Girling telescopic

    STEERING:
    Steering gear: Burman
    Steering wheel: 17.5 in.
    Turning circle: 39 ft.

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT:
    Dimensions: 9 ft. 3 1/2 in.
    Wheelbase: 4 ft. 6 5/8 in.
    Track Front: 4 ft. 6 1/8 in.
    Track Rear: 4 ft. 6 1/8 in.
    Overall length: 15 ft. 2 1/8 in.
    Overall width: 5 ft. 6 in.
    Overall height: 5 ft. 2 1/2 in.
    Ground clearance: 7 1/2 in.
    Dry weight: 28 1/2 cwt

    © Motor car History

Service

  • Alvis TC 21 100 Maintenance and Service Guide (1953-1955)

    Plugs: make and type:Champion L1O
    Fuel capacity: 14.3 gallons
    Oil filter: Suction strainer
    Oil capacity: 1.5 gallons
    Water Cooling capacity: 3 gallons
    Wheel type: Wire knockon
    Tyre size: 6.00 x 15 in.

    © Motor car History

Gallery

Gallery

Related

motor car on you tube

Also read (Members)
  • Rover-Alvis P6-BS (1967)
  • Alvis GTS (1966)
  • Alvis TA 350 (1955)
  • Alvis 4.3 liter (1936-1940)
British Automotive 1950s | Vehicles launched in 1953 | British Sports cars | Straight-6 cars | Mulliners | Luxury Cars | Film Cars

Can’t see this article ?  >>  Register here. <<

Read more in this section (Registered)

Alvis 3½ liter (1935-1936)
Alvis 3½ liter (1935-1936)
Read more...
Alvis Firefly (1932-1934)
Alvis Firefly (1932-1934)
Read more...
Alvis TB 14 (1950)
Alvis TB 14 (1950)
Read more...

Back to Top

© 2023 Motor Car History