Alvis TA 21
Encyclopedia
The Alvis TA 21, sometimes called the 3-Litre, is an automobile
which was produced by Alvis Cars
between 1950 and 1953. It was the first all new Alvis to be produced after World War II.
The car was available in four door Saloon and Tickford
drophead versions. 302 dropheads were made. The centre section of the body was carried over from the earlier TA 14 with minor changes but the engine and luggage compartments were new and accounted for the extra length. The front doors remained rear hinged. Separate seats were fitted at the front and in the rear was a bench seat with fold down centre armrest. Leather trim was used. The saloon bodies were made for Alvis by Mulliners
in Birmingham.
The 2993 cc engine was new and produced 83 bhp fitted with a single Solex carburettor and applying a compression ratio of 7.0:1. Unusually, the engine incorporated timing gears at the rear of the cylinder block and a 7-bearing crank to increase smoothness. This was the first appearance of the engine that would power Alvis cars until the manufacturer retreated from passenger car production in 1967, although modifications including increased compression ratios as higher octane fuels became available would enable the power output to be progressively raised after 1953 until, fed by three SU carburetters, it reached 150 bhp in 1965.
Suspension was independent at the front using coil springs with leaf springs at the rear. 11 in (279 mm) drum brakes using a Lockheed system were used, the first use of hydraulic operation by Alvis.
A saloon version tested by The Motor
magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 88.7 mph (142.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 15.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 19.5 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £1945 including taxes.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
which was produced by Alvis Cars
Alvis Cars
Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was a British manufacturing company that existed in Coventry, England from 19191967. In addition to automobiles designed for the civilian market, the company also produced racing cars, aircraft engines, armoured cars and other armoured fighting vehicles, the...
between 1950 and 1953. It was the first all new Alvis to be produced after World War II.
The car was available in four door Saloon and Tickford
Tickford
Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing company with a history of coachbuilding and tuning and is famous for such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri.-Early years:...
drophead versions. 302 dropheads were made. The centre section of the body was carried over from the earlier TA 14 with minor changes but the engine and luggage compartments were new and accounted for the extra length. The front doors remained rear hinged. Separate seats were fitted at the front and in the rear was a bench seat with fold down centre armrest. Leather trim was used. The saloon bodies were made for Alvis by Mulliners
Mulliners (Birmingham)
Mulliners of Birmingham was a British coachbuilding company.Although not financially connected with the other coachbuilding companies having Mulliner in their name – Arthur Mulliner based in Northampton, Mulliner based in Liverpool who also opened a showroom in Brook Street, Mayfair, London and H.J...
in Birmingham.
The 2993 cc engine was new and produced 83 bhp fitted with a single Solex carburettor and applying a compression ratio of 7.0:1. Unusually, the engine incorporated timing gears at the rear of the cylinder block and a 7-bearing crank to increase smoothness. This was the first appearance of the engine that would power Alvis cars until the manufacturer retreated from passenger car production in 1967, although modifications including increased compression ratios as higher octane fuels became available would enable the power output to be progressively raised after 1953 until, fed by three SU carburetters, it reached 150 bhp in 1965.
Suspension was independent at the front using coil springs with leaf springs at the rear. 11 in (279 mm) drum brakes using a Lockheed system were used, the first use of hydraulic operation by Alvis.
A saloon version tested by The Motor
The Motor (magazine)
The Motor was a British weekly car magazine founded on 28 January 1903....
magazine in 1952 had a top speed of 88.7 mph (142.7 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.6 km/h) in 15.5 seconds. A fuel consumption of 19.5 mpgimp was recorded. The test car cost £1945 including taxes.