Alvis TD 21 Tires

The Alvis TD 21 is listed with two tire sizes across its 1959 through 1964 production run: 640-15 and 670-15. Both are 15-inch numeric bias-ply sizes. The 640-15 products are built for 15-inch rims and generally suit rim widths from 4.00 to 5.00 inches, while 670-15 products are also for 15-inch rims and are commonly paired with rim widths from 4.50 to 5.00 inches, with some options extending to 6.00 inches.

That means the first step is not simply checking the model year, because both sizes appear throughout the full run. Measure the wheel, check any existing tire markings, and compare the wheel width to the published fitment range before choosing between 640-15 and 670-15. On a restored or long-owned Alvis TD 21, wheel changes over time are common enough that the car itself should be treated as the final reference.

On an Alvis TD 21, 640-15 is a period numeric bias-ply tire size. The 640 refers to a nominal section width of roughly 6.40 inches, and the 15 refers to the rim diameter in inches. Every listed 640-15 option for the Alvis TD 21 is a bias-ply construction built for a 15-inch wheel, with whitewall and blackwall versions available.

For a buyer or restorer, the important point is that 640-15 is the narrower of the two listed sizes for the Alvis TD 21. It should be matched to a wheel width that falls within the published range for the specific tire chosen, and because it is a bias-ply fitment, a tube is required. If the car has been re-wheeled at some point, confirm the actual rim width before settling on this size.

A 1962 Alvis TD 21 can show both 640-15 and 670-15 because the model range is associated with two concurrent 15-inch numeric bias-ply sizes rather than a single year-specific size. The split is not a wheel-diameter change, since both use 15-inch rims, and it is not a construction split either, since the listed products are bias-ply. The practical difference is section width and the wheel-width range each tire is intended to fit.

That makes the specific configuration of the car more important than the year by itself. Check the wheel width, compare it to the fitment range of the tire you are considering, and look at surviving factory literature or marque records if the car is being restored to a particular standard. A 1962 Alvis TD 21 with replacement wheels or older prior restoration work may no longer reflect its original setup.

Yes, the Alvis TD 21 sizes listed here are bias-ply numeric fitments, and a tube is required. Both 640-15 and 670-15 are represented by bias-ply products rather than modern tubeless radial sizing. That tube-type arrangement is consistent with how many collector cars of this era are equipped when running period-style tires.

In practical terms, tube condition matters just as much as the outer casing on a low-use collector car. When replacing tires on an Alvis TD 21, inspect or replace the tubes, check the inside of the rim for corrosion or roughness, and make sure the flap and valve setup are appropriate for the wheel. A well-fitted tube helps prevent problems that can appear after long storage or irregular use.

A 1961 Alvis TD 21 can correctly fall into either 640-15 or 670-15, so the year by itself does not settle the matter. Both sizes are listed for the full 1959 to 1964 run, and both use 15-inch rims. The deciding factors are the wheel width, the tire size already fitted if the car has an established setup, and any original paperwork or restoration records that identify how that particular Alvis TD 21 was equipped.

Start by reading the sidewall of the tires currently on the car and then measure the wheel width directly. Compare that width with the fitment range of the candidate tire, since some 640-15 and 670-15 products favor slightly different wheel widths. If the car is being restored for authenticity, marque literature and prior ownership history can help resolve whether the narrower or wider period size is the better choice.

Alvis TD 21 tire offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Those choices appear across both 640-15 and 670-15 sizes, although the 670-15 range is much broader and includes more whitewall variations. The product mix spans several period-style bias-ply series, giving owners a choice between understated blackwalls and more decorative whitewall presentations.

For most restorations, sidewall choice comes down to how the individual Alvis TD 21 was originally presented and how formal or sporting the owner wants the finished look to be. Blackwalls tend to suit a restrained touring appearance, while narrow and wide whitewalls create a more visibly period-styled finish. If the car is judged, period photographs, marque references, and the car's restoration theme should guide that decision.

The Alvis TD 21 tire listings include BFGoodrich, Firestone, Avon, Excelsior, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands are spread across the two listed sizes, with the broadest selection appearing in 670-15. The available series include traditional collector-car bias-ply offerings as well as period-style names such as Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, and Super Safety Crossply.

Brand choice on an Alvis TD 21 usually comes down to the balance between restoration appearance, preferred sidewall treatment, and the exact size needed for the wheels on the car. Once the correct size is established, compare sidewall style, published load information where given, and the visual character of each series. That approach keeps the decision focused on fit and period character rather than choosing by brand name alone.

The Alvis TD 21 listings include multiple named series, among them Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Firestone Classic Bias Ply, Super Safety Crossply, Excelsior Bias Ply, US Royal Classic Bias Ply, Coker Classic Bias Ply, Universal Classic Bias Ply, Turbospeed Mk4, Super Cushion, Custom Super Cushion, Super Cushion Deluxe, and Super Transport. All of the listed Alvis TD 21 products are bias-ply constructions, but the series differ in branding, sidewall presentation, load ratings where published, and in some cases their intended family, such as passenger-car versus truck-oriented bias-ply use.

For a roadgoing Alvis TD 21, the most useful comparison points are the exact size, sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and whether the tire visually suits the car's era and restoration goal. A passenger-car classic bias-ply series will usually be the natural starting point for an Alvis TD 21 grand tourer, while a truck-oriented series should be evaluated more carefully for intended use. Series names matter, but fitment and appearance matter more.

An Alvis TD 21 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and major temperature swings. Keep the tires clean, inflate them appropriately for storage, and avoid leaving the full vehicle weight on one contact patch for very long periods if the car is not being moved. Collector bias-ply tires benefit from a stable environment and regular repositioning.

In practice, that means rolling the Alvis TD 21 periodically, using tire cradles or stands if the car will sit for an extended season, and keeping oils, solvents, and battery chargers away from the tires. Because the car uses tube-type bias-ply tires, storage is also a good time to monitor slow pressure loss. A little preventive attention preserves both the tire casing and the ride quality these cars are known for.

Tires on an Alvis TD 21 should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car sees very little mileage. Look for weather checking, sidewall cracking, tread separation, flat spotting, irregular wear, valve issues, and signs that the tube or rim may be creating pressure loss. Low-use collector tires can age out long before they wear out.

A practical routine is a quick walkaround before every outing and a deeper inspection at least seasonally, including pressure checks and a look at the inner sidewalls if the wheels allow it. Bias-ply tires can show age-related changes differently from modern radials, and an Alvis TD 21 that has spent long periods parked deserves extra caution. If anything looks questionable, have the tires examined by a specialist familiar with collector cars.

Tires on an Alvis TD 21 should be replaced when age, cracking, separation, hardening, repeated air loss, or impact damage make continued use questionable, even if the tread still looks deep. Collector cars often accumulate very little mileage, so visual age and structural condition matter more than tread depth alone. Bias-ply tires can appear serviceable while still having aged beyond comfortable road use.

The safest habit is to judge an Alvis TD 21 tire by condition and age history rather than by how much rubber remains on the tread. If the car has sat for years, if the ride suddenly changes, or if the casing begins to distort, replacement deserves serious consideration. A specialist inspection is especially worthwhile when the car's existing tires have uncertain age or long-term storage history.

The Alvis TD 21 is associated here with two period numeric sizes, 640-15 and 670-15, both on 15-inch rims and both represented by bias-ply products. Available series include several classic bias-ply lines as well as Avon crossply offerings, which reflects the kind of period-style construction expected for a car of this era. More than one tire presentation is therefore plausible within the model run rather than a single universal answer for every Alvis TD 21.

For restoration work, the right target is the specification of the individual car, not simply the broad model range. Original handbooks, build records, period photographs, and marque-club references are the strongest guides when trying to determine whether a particular Alvis TD 21 should carry 640-15 or 670-15, and whether blackwall or whitewall styling best suits the restoration standard being pursued.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect how an Alvis TD 21 is judged and how convincingly it presents as a restoration. Size, sidewall style, and overall tire profile all influence the car's stance and period character. On a collector British grand tourer, even small deviations in width or sidewall appearance can stand out to informed judges and marque enthusiasts.

That does not mean every Alvis TD 21 must be restored to the same standard, but it does mean the tire decision should match the goal of the car. A touring-oriented driver may prioritize one acceptable period-style bias-ply option, while a concours restoration may need closer adherence to original size and appearance. Marque clubs and period sales literature are often the best references when value and judging matter.

Alvis TD 21 tire options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles. Any of those can produce a period-looking result depending on the individual car's restoration theme, and the 670-15 catalog especially offers a wide range of whitewall widths. Because the Alvis TD 21 sits in the late-classic era, sidewall presentation can noticeably change whether the car reads as more sporting, formal, or transatlantic in character.

Choosing the correct sidewall for an Alvis TD 21 restoration should start with period photos of the specific car or equivalent examples. Blackwalls generally give the cleanest and most restrained look, while narrow whitewalls can add period elegance without dominating the styling. Wide whitewalls make a stronger visual statement and may suit certain presentation goals, but they should be selected with the car's historical appearance in mind.

A correctly fitted new bias-ply tire in the proper Alvis TD 21 size can be suitable for public-road use when the rest of the car is mechanically sound. The available sizes here, 640-15 and 670-15, are both period-style 15-inch bias-ply fitments, so road behavior will reflect vintage construction rather than modern radial responses. Safety depends on correct size choice, sound tubes, proper inflation, and the condition of the wheels and suspension.

On the road, an Alvis TD 21 should be driven with the expectations appropriate to a collector car on bias-ply tires. Allow more margin for braking and cornering, avoid abrupt inputs, and keep a close watch on pressure and age-related condition. A freshly restored car should also have its steering, alignment, and brake system checked before regular use, since tire performance can only be as good as the chassis underneath it.

Before driving an Alvis TD 21, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and any signs of uneven stance or slow air loss. Because the listed Alvis TD 21 tires are bias-ply tube-type fitments, it is also wise to pay attention to any recent pressure drop that could point to tube or rim issues. Wheel fastener security and basic brake function belong on the same pre-drive check.

A short, consistent inspection routine is the best protection against unpleasant surprises in a low-mileage collector car. If the Alvis TD 21 has been sitting, look especially for flat spotting, cracks, or a change in steering feel during the first miles. Any vibration, pull, or unusual heat buildup after a run deserves investigation before the car is driven farther.

An Alvis TD 21 running period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at speeds that respect both the age of the car and the characteristics of bias-ply construction. Even with new tires, the handling feel, tracking, and braking response will not mimic a modern radial-equipped car. Appropriate speed is therefore less about chasing a single number and more about staying within the car's stable, comfortable operating range.

On real roads, that means building speed progressively, leaving extra space, and backing off when surfaces are rough, wet, or heavily crowned. A well-sorted Alvis TD 21 can be an excellent touring machine, but it rewards measured inputs and sympathetic driving. If the car's tires are older, recently fitted, or of uncertain service history, keep speeds conservative until the whole chassis and tire package have proven themselves.