One-Off 1952 Alvis TB 21 LHD Prototype (w/ startup)

A very rare silver 1952 Alvis TB 21 Sports Tourer, one of 31 built, arriving at and leaving Peninsula Cars & Coffee at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, organized by the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance. The TB 21 was based on the TA 21 saloon and featured unique two-seat open bodywork by AP Metalcraft Ltd. and a 2993 cc straight-6 engine producing over 90 horsepower. This example, chassis no. 25133, was a factory prototype of a left-hand drive four-seat variant intended for the American market. Due to high production costs, the project was cancelled, leaving this as the only example of a LHD four-seat TB 21. The car was sold to Motor Lines Ltd., the sole Alvis distributor in New Zealand, and resided in Germany until 2017 when it was purchased by its current owner and brought to the United States.

The Alvis marque is largely unknown here in the States, and if I didn't know better I would have thought this car was some sort of replica Bentley. But Alvis was indeed a luxury car brand in the same rank as the Winged "B", and this car is a particularly special example of an already rare model. Personally I think the low beltline at the doors looks more organic with the TB 21's original two-seat configuration than it does with the rear seats on this prototype. But who am I to complain?

A fun fact: The owner told me he had originally intended to shop for an Allard, but while typing the first few letters of the name, the search engine suggested "Alvis", and this car popped up. The rest was history. This car now makes frequent appearances at events across Southern California, and I'm glad the owner brought it here to the country it was originally made for and enjoys putting miles on it.

Would you choose this Alvis over a contemporary Bentley? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!