Following the note about Norfolk boat builders last month, this interesting photo of ‘Ash’ Body Frames has come to light from Alvis papers. Looks like a group of Duncan frames. The juxtaposition of frames with the boat really sets the scene for the sometimes idiosyncratic Post War body building of our cars.

For those wrestling with engines over winter, the letter in AOC Bulletin 310, December 1979 pages 286 and 287 gives some useful tips and calls into question recognised Engine set up.

Imagine buying the rare 3 litre prototype TA 14 built as one of 3 prototypes before the TA 21. You get it home and low and behold find the original tool set tucked away under the passenger seat! What are the odds?

TB 14, chassis 23515 is for sale part restored and the price has been reduced to £22 000. The car has been off the road since 1979 and a considerable amount of restoration work has already been undertaken. A very good opportunity to complete the restoration and the prices of restored TB 14s are high. Only 100 made of these highly sought after cars.

It comes as bit of a shock to travel across the Pond to Houston and then to come face to face with a near doppelgänger of the TA 14 drophead you left tucked up in its garage.

Ron and Kat with JFJ 806

JFJ 286 our Ivory Tickford is a very close match to JFJ 806 and also Ivory.

JFJ 286 was originally Black in colour but was resprayed in the 1950s to the Ivory colour she still sports today. Over the years she has attended many Alvis Days and Events and is believed to be the colour model that prompted many TA 14 Dropheads to sport an Ivory or Cream paintwork.
After getting over the coincidence a wonderful day was spent looking at the Alvis and about 8 other stunning cars in the same ownership.
One interesting experience was the existence of huge warehouses marked out on the floor with large parking spaces for people to store and work on their Classic Cars. Oh for that to be done in the U.K.
We are still looking for a Nave Plate [hub cap] for this owner. Market price plus full p&p will be paid. A really nice one is sought to take its rightful place with about 9 other Nave Plates on the wall reflecting the owner’s other British and American Classic cars. He is also seeking a pair of Carbodies spats or drawings and dimensions to have them made. Also a wheel nut wrench to complete the underbonnet.

Staying overseas this is a Carbodies, chassis 22700 that was restored in Belgium in the last few years and now resides in the South of France with her proud French Owner. An excellent colour scheme for a hot climate and very different to the original ‘Windsor Grey’ she was previously painted. So give her a wave if you see her on any trips to the South of France.

Our Mulliners owner and restorer in South Africa is still seeking 2 Nave Plates to help complete the project for chassis 20674.

A good report has come through about work done on a TA 14 Sun Roof by the well known firm in Alvis circles, Brian Chrimes in Warwickshire, contact brian_chrimes@yahoo.co.uk for more information. Years ago most Mulliners drove around with their sunroofs sealed closed to prevent the ingress of rain but many have now been opened up and refurbished allowing a pleasant drive with fresh air. Also useful when running the heater in traffic jams on hot days to cool the occupants!

Fortunately ‘The Beast from the East 2’ did not show its face this year but be inspired by a Shooting Brake who seemed well placed to take any such in its stride.

For any readers considering a TA/TB 14 purchase there is quite a good selection currently available on the website – carandclassic.co.uk.

4 Carbodies, 1 Mulliners Saloon, 1 Duncan, 1 ‘Pennock’ bodies Drophead, believed to have been rebodied many years ago by Veth. 2 TB 14s.
One of the Carbodies, HWK 437 is a second generation owned car that sadly will now be leaving the family. She has a very reasonable Auction estimate and is to be offered for sale by Anglia Car Auctions on the 13th April.

Whilst most Alvis Cars tend to be advertised on Car and Classic, it is not always the case and interesting cars can be missed as in this example of a classic TA 14 Special that was originally rebodied many years ago.

For anyone needing windscreen rubbers for drophead rear windows, an owner in the Cambridge area commissioned new rubber sealing strip for his restoration. To assist other owners he commissioned in excess of his requirements and has some available for sale. Good opportunity to buy some and store if not needed now.

‘the tooling was commissioned to produce the rear window rubber for Carbodies dropheads by Walker, Rubber and Plastic in Norwich.
The trimmer and fitter both declared it to be of excellent quality and made to the exact specification of the original.
For anyone interested in purchasing a length the price is £30 enough to do one rear window plus ‘wriggle room’ and P & P.
No profit is being made by the seller, only cost recovery’

I am often asked about the location of the chassis/original engine numbers in the circumstances that the bulkhead plate has gone missing. The stamping of the numbers is shown in the Driver’s Handbook and this helpful page clearly shows where to find the numbers. Sadly some paint scraping may be necessary but DVLA are very firm one wanting to see such evidence particularly when a car has been untaxed for a while or lost the original registration.

With the advent of Spring thoughts may turn to the acquisition of a new set of tyres for the Season. This delightful European owned Carbodies, shows just how fetching whitewalls can be with the right colour scheme so are you tempted?

So the sun is shining and this year starts the 100th Anniversary Celebrations around the world that carry on through to 2020.
One wonders what T.G.John would have made of 100 years of Alvis Cars.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com