Alvis interest in the Netherlands is as strong as anywhere with some stunning Alvis cars owned by very enthusiastic owners. Also workshops specialising in Classic Cars mean anyone touring in The Netherlands can find a very high level of expertise to assist owners with any Alvis car problems.
There is also a great appreciation of Alvis Specials and some of these are based on TA 14 chassis once the body has been discarded or is beyond finding a new owner to restore a dilapidated body.
The creativity is let loose and the results can be superb.

One such Special, chassis 23761 has futuristic design elements from from before the War. These design influences are mostly seen to the rear and what a rear! Whizzing through the Dutch countryside the power of the 3 litre engine can be felt providing great exhilaration.

Another TA 14 Special is being meticulously prepared for racing later in the year. She is being beautifully prepared and we shall see with interest how she fares on the race track. Her origins are a derelict Mulliners Saloon.

Yet another TA14 Special is being prepared and looks to become a head turner.

There are other TA 14s in The Netherlands and one of interest is a Woodie chassis 21130. Built by Coachbuilder A.C. Cars Co.Ltd for Sir Richard Fairey of Fairey Aviation. She has had her original coach work restored and is currently in good condition. Although living at ‘high level’ she is still an active car.

The last surviving TA 14 prototype for the TA 21 resides in The Netherlands, chassis 3L3 and is undergoing restoration. As she was stored in California for 40 years she is in remarkably good condition. The slightly modified 3 litre engine used in the Alvis Healey allows us to see what Fourteens would have looked like if the original proposition to offer 2 or 3 litre engines had not been scrapped due to cost. Sadly the previous 2 prototypes are no longer with us.

The versatility of the Fourteen Model was demonstrated last month by the ‘6’ seater Tickford. This prompted the arrival of this photo of chassis 21971, another Tickford demonstrating the absolutely superb carrying capacity of our cars.

For those wondering why the Tickford is carrying an engine in her boot, here is the story.

Many years ago at the then-popular Dorking pub meeting of the AOC, an older TA14 owner was very concerned due to the fact that his local garage had declared his engine ‘terminal’. So, Tony current owner of KGC, went with a friend to John Buck’s spares operation and picked up a running engine for £50. They then transported the engine as you see it in his father’s car and dropped it off in the garage forecourt sometime after midnight. The car was duly restored to life.
It is yet another case of “don’t try this today”!

Later she even tried to go one better than transporting the TA 14 engine by heading off for Ireland in search of a Front Wheel Drive straight 8 engine, hopefully not for the boot!
Not content with being a beast of burden KGC 533 was also quite skittish in her day. The photo below shows a slight case of over exuberance on the 1970 Tour of Britain coming to rest straddling a ditch. Note another well known Alvis nearby and rescue was effected by the current Graber Model Secretary for the AOC.

She is another 2nd generation Fourteen and still resides with Tony to this day and is expected to be back on the road in due course.

The Alvis Owner Club held their Annual South Western Alvis Day in May. A lovely Mulliners Saloon, chassis 22738 was awarded the D.F.W.Eve trophy for the best alround Fourteen including Concours and Driving Tests. This car is another 2nd generation cherished car.

In 2015 she was awarded the trophy for originality having won the trophy the previous year also at S.W.A.D. This with the father of the current owner.

Several TA/TB 14s are up for sale on carandclassic, 2 TB 14s, 3 Mulliners Saloons and 4 drophead TA 14s.

The Duncan for sale is the first one to be made and leave the Duncan works. Painted yellow she had a successful promotional tour.
Some more photos of the Duncan works have been identified.

Perhaps the new assembly plant looks a little rustic! For those with Duncans they can be reassured by the provenance of the glue used on the cars. Aerolite 300F was the resin used in the building of Mosquito aircraft. Each frame took 3 weeks to make on a jig with 62 pieces of laminated ash screwed and glued. The photo of Duncan construction shown last month was probably taken at the premises of Herbert Woods of Potter Heigham. Duncans were assembled at Herbert Woods, boatbuilders and Graham Bunn of Wroxham, also boat builders.
When the production was moved to the old R.A.F. Hangar at Swannington Airfield one wonders if the bus got through in 1947 judging by the photo of snow that winter!

Appreciation is given to the North Walsham Historical Society for the photos and information.

Can anyone identify and provide some information about TXL 391 on Rogues Gallery?

A lady who is seeking the fate or the whereabouts of her family car. Chassis 22761, MUA 57 was last heard of in the 1960s in Hampshire so if anyone knows the whereabouts or fate of this car the family would like to hear.

Another lady recently bought a box of Dolls. Nothing strange in that until you hear that the paper at the bottom of the box was TA 14 correspondence together with photos of the car., chassis 23745, FRX 259. Very kindly this lady got in touch with the AOC and we established the identity of the car. She is now hoping to see one ‘in the metal’ at a future Alvis event.

The 1st photo was taken in the grounds of Buckfast Abbey, England in 1953 and the 2nd in 1956 at Sandringham, Norfolk. Mr and Mrs Williams.

Still have some overseas owners needing spare parts if anyone can help?

For South Africa 2 Nave Plates (hub caps).
5 Wheel nuts
1 Sunroof.

For The Netherlands 1 Sunroof for the above mentioned 3L3 prototype.

For Dallas, USA, for a TB 14, 1 boot handle and escutcheon.

For Houston, USA 1 pristine Nave Plate to go on the wall of the man cave to represent the Carbodies in the garage that needs to retain her own Nave Plates. Also a wheel brace,

The 3 distressed ‘Ladies mentioned in the Last Post have disappeared from eBay and will hopefully surface somewhere.

Finally it is not a good idea to travel in a beautiful TE 21 in superb condition along the Dutch highways when the other half comes along. The certainty of Fourteens being the pinnacle of Alvis development can be shaken when a voice from the back seat says ‘I want one’

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com