Alvis TC 108G
Encyclopedia
The Alvis TC 108G was a British sporting car made by Alvis cars
between 1955 and 1958. Coachbuilders Graber
of Switzerland had produced some bodies for the TC21 that were much more up to date than the standard offering from Mulliners
. Mulliners was increasingly coming under the control of Standard Triumph
, they were purchased by them in 1958, and the body supply had been getting difficult. Alvis's other main supplier was Tickford
and they were bought by David Brown to use for his Aston Martin
company. It was therefore decided to make the Graber style the basis of a new model and the rights were bought resulting in the TC 108G.
A contract was placed with bus builder Willowbrook of Loughborough. The car was only available as a two door, four seat saloon made by forming metal around a traditional wooden frame. This proved to be expensive and the deal was terminated and a new contract placed with Park Ward
, the modified vehicle becoming the TD21.
The 2993 cc engine was uprated slightly to produce 104 bhp by modifying the cylinder head and fitting twin SU carburettors. Suspension was the same as the TC 21, independent at the front using coil springs with leaf springs at the rear.
In total only 37 cars were made, including several on chassis supplied to coachbuilders other than Willowbrook.
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 1955 and 1958. Coachbuilders Graber
Graber
Graber was a coachbuilder based in Wichtrach in central Switzerland. Between 1927 and 1970 the firm supplied coach-built bodies for fitting on the chassis of various European and US auto-makers...
of Switzerland had produced some bodies for the TC21 that were much more up to date than the standard offering from 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...
. Mulliners was increasingly coming under the control of Standard Triumph
Standard Motor Company
The Standard Motor Company was founded in Coventry, England in 1903 by Reginald Walter Maudslay . The Standard name was last used in Britain in 1963, and in India in 1987.-1903–1914:...
, they were purchased by them in 1958, and the body supply had been getting difficult. Alvis's other main supplier was 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:...
and they were bought by David Brown to use for his Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin Lagonda Limited is a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars, based in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The company name is derived from the name of one of the company's founders, Lionel Martin, and from the Aston Hill speed hillclimb near Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire...
company. It was therefore decided to make the Graber style the basis of a new model and the rights were bought resulting in the TC 108G.
A contract was placed with bus builder Willowbrook of Loughborough. The car was only available as a two door, four seat saloon made by forming metal around a traditional wooden frame. This proved to be expensive and the deal was terminated and a new contract placed with Park Ward
Park Ward
Park Ward was a British coachbuilder founded by William M. Park and Charles W. Ward in 1919. They had worked together at F.W. Berwick Ltd., the makers of Sizaire-Berwick cars.Their business operated from Willesden, North London.-History:...
, the modified vehicle becoming the TD21.
The 2993 cc engine was uprated slightly to produce 104 bhp by modifying the cylinder head and fitting twin SU carburettors. Suspension was the same as the TC 21, independent at the front using coil springs with leaf springs at the rear.
In total only 37 cars were made, including several on chassis supplied to coachbuilders other than Willowbrook.