It is a phenomenon that is often in motion with me. Or rather: sometimes changes: The favorite car. The most beautiful car. The most desirable car. And this week, the undercurrent operating in the background perpetually turned into a turbulent bier once again. Because from Great Britain came the news that a historic and (with soft breath) revived brand is coming with a brand new and very expensive classic. Alvis brings the TF 21 Graber series back as a continuation (with a slightly different name) and oh my god: what a jewel of a car that is. The convertible is already a showpiece, but I don't think that Coupé is to be sneezed at at all.
So the list of favorites started moving again, and was rearranged. There are a number of permanent players. I'll name a few: the Alfa Romeo Giulia (Tipo 105, preferably the TI Super), the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B 'Lungo', the Mercedes-Benz W113, the Aston Martin DB5, the Rover P5B Coupé, the BMW 3200 CS, the Toyota 2000 GT, the Toyota Celica GT (TA22), the Jaguar Sovereign 4.0 LWB, the Opel Rallye Kadett 1.9S in Germ version and……..the VW 1303 Big Bug in Ontario-Metallic. So at home in all markets, and after this list follows a whole arsenal of cars that come close to the aforementioned list. You see: they are cars of different plumage and move within different price ranges. So there is sometimes some variation.
However, the landslide this week came from Britain. Of course, I knew what an Alvis with Graber body was, and I always found this creation to be desirable. But the press announcement from Great Britain forced me to take a closer look at the Alvis thanks to the beautiful photo material. I saw again that the already noble and imposing Alvis stature was given just the right accent thanks to Graber. And this, this is a gem of a coupe.
Alvis, which stopped in 1967, started a new future a few years ago, which was inspired by its rich past. With the ambition to continue the heritage in a literal sense. To be made as new. Or make new. It now also resulted in the first post-war continuation of an Alvis model. Graber's unbridledly beautiful Alvis coupé was born again. I saw the photos and immediately the world stopped. The onset of autumn offered room for the sun's rays, for a beautiful blue sky. At the same time glorified I. Because the sight of this reborn creation made me feel guilty when I closed the internet page of The Alvis Car Company again. Away with the push of a button, that does not suit such a fabulously beautiful showpiece.
That's how you bring back a past. The specifications are almost the same as before, when Alvis had the TF21 Graber Super on the exclusive program. The five-speed automatic transmission remained. But to make the car even more suitable for today's usability, the 3.0 six-in-line engine received injection. Furthermore, there is especially similarity with the Alvis days of yore. And progress, because following the example of Jaguar, the chassis number continues where it stopped in 1967. So continuation. Made possible thanks to the long preserved 20.000 original drawings and a large amount of new-old stock parts. And 4.000 to 5.000 man hours to meet FIA specifications. By car.
I can fill the entire world wide web with praising this automobile. But one look at Alvis' photos is enough to establish that this beautiful creation belongs at Goodwood, at Villa d'Este, at Pebble Beach. When you see the photos you feel that every millimeter of this creation has been handmade. That the aluminum body is completely beaten by hand, that the leather is stitched by hand, that the car is screwed together nut by nut. With no car does that feeling get so under the skin, the materials and the appearance talk to you so subtly.
This reborn Gran Turismo explains why the XNUMXs produced the most beautiful cars in history. That careful handling of finery can lead to the most beautiful creations, creations that make colorful shapes superfluous. It handcrafting attention to detail. That total balance within that elegant interplay of lines that was once drawn entirely by hand. And also: what is the great secret of the historic British car industry: taking the time to build cars in a small scale. And to continue this on a small scale. So that the case remains exclusive, and dreams can be lived, even if you know they will never come true.
The Continuation Graber Super Coupé from Alvis costs tons of money, which can only be delivered on special order and can also be adjusted to personal taste. But my dream will come true if I can see the car one day. And I can get my hands on a 1:43 scale model of this. That is a wish, because this car has joined my absolute favorites with its stunning appearance and especially the not even literally tangible but tangible experience. Because this Alvis struck me in the heart with Swiss precision. I dream and admire. Car news can be beautiful, and still be so beautiful.
Copyright photos: The Alvis Car Company
Build one yourself, this is a matching no. Alvis td 21, bwj.1960, engine has already been overhauled., or base for a special.
Facel Vega Equal Bizzarini, Delahaye, yes, especially Bizzarini, who had a fight with the Grande Meastro, Ferrari, and rightly so, because these used American engines, which were much stronger and more reliable than Enzo's…..!
Beautiful car! Reminds me of the most beautiful coupé, the Lancia Flaminia coupé Pininfarina. You will only be able to own them both.
Nowadays, the most exclusive cars are rebuilt under the name of continuation. Only the astronomical value of these cars makes the current owners of these brands want to shamelessly take advantage of the fruits of the past. Ultimately this is just plagiarism and these continuations are (beautiful) copies of earlier works of art. Change this article with photos of a Rembrandt and then take a look at the reaction of the experts. So to me this is just peasant fraud and causes a lot of annoyance to the owners of the originals. And they are right…
hello Alfredo
but Graber was a very old and traditional company that never stole designs. " It does
you think of ” ; OK but so do some Monteverdi's.
Yes Jan. Now you call eg Monteverdi. Again an exclusive car brand. Equally Bizzarini, Delahaye, Delage, and for example the Mercedes SSK. I could, most likely, and you and all our other great car adepts, too, for ages to come.
You are right in this.
The creations and visionary designs of so many coachbuilders are inexhaustible.
Also the USA designs, such as the Cord Auburn 812 from 1936, which I was lucky enough to drive in California for a while.
And take Raymond Loewy with his designs, such as the Studebaker Avanti.
Rest my case.
But let us as real car enthusiasts continue to enjoy so much beauty that has been designed by true artists in the past century,
This Alvis is still reminiscent of the famous Facel Vega designs.
Just like many more exclusive car brands with their unique and special designs have been "stolen" by other car manufacturers.