Following Victory in Europe achieved in the Spring of 1945, thoughts turned to the nature of the Alvis one might purchase as things gradually started getting back to normal.
All the car companies had tried to keep their names in front of the potential car buying public. These 2 adverts were to whet the appetite and the May advert would certainly have done that with the ‘accurate’ portrayal of the projected next Model. At least the ‘discerning’ public were given a rather more accurate portrayal in August!

Much was made in the 1940s and 1950s as to the intelligent discerning nature of the potential Alvis purchaser as shown in these interesting advertisements of the time.
Even the quality of the pistons was viewed as deserving to stroke the ego of a discriminating Alvis purchaser.

In the 1940s there could be quite a similarity between car makes particularly when Coachbuilders were involved. This example of an MG demonstrates quite a resemblance to a Mulliners Saloon.

For Americans mindful of buying a British Sports-car in 1950, they had the opportunity to see a bright red TB 14, chassis 23500, body no. 1001 as she toured the USA. This car was the very first TB 14 of the production line. Upon return to England the car went to the Sales Department, never to be heard of again unless a reader knows otherwise?

The trip was to research the comparisons between the ordinary people in the United States and those in Britain and Europe after the War. Edward Ward (7th Viscount Bangor) was the author and he was accompanied by photographer Marjorie Banks who later became his 4th wife. The outcome of the tour was a book ‘U.S. and US.’

The conclusions of the book were that Americans had a higher standard of living than Europeans at the time and a lot more cars and consumer items. For those requiring more than the above potted summary, a copy of the book is held by the Alvis Archive Trust. The car was loaned by Alvis and there had been hopes that the loaned Alvis might have been a larger vehicle to cope with all the camera equipment etc.. Nevertheless less the ‘little’ red car was well received even if sales did not materialise.
For Doctor Who fans, their daughter starred in an early Dr Who series and married Tom Baker, the then Time Lord.
Some very good photos of the car appear in the book showing life on the road in 1950.

A very pretty Mulliners Saloon, Chassis 22092, has been up for Auction in Belgium recently. The closing price was 7000 euros. The car appears very original and is right hand drive. She has lived in The Netherlands since 1975 with a Dutch family well known in Alvis circles.
Will she be returning home or perhaps more likely put up for sale again at a higher price.

Another recent Auction in Scotland showed TB 14, chassis 23513 with an achievement of £44520. Another car in very nice condition.

As always these days carandclassic.co.uk shows several Saloons and Dropheads for sale.

Not for sale as far as we are aware but obviously a very cherished and polished vehicle, does anyone have any more details? Perhaps a true TA 14 muscle car?

 

Whilst eBay has a good regular quantity of Fourteen spares we are still trying to locate the following spares for overseas owners. Market prices and p&P will be paid by the purchasers.

TB 14 Boot Handle or at least the part number, there was no Spares List for TB 14s. USA.

A Nave Plate (Hub Cap) in good condition. USA.

Sunroof
2 Nave Plates
2 Trafficators
2 Horns
Fuel Tank
1 Boot Handle
1 Aircleaner. For South Africa.

TB 14 twin carburettor unit. France.

Finally on Spares does anyone have a rev Counter for a TB 14 in England.

We are in the Celebration year of the first car manufactured by T.G.John Limited the name of the Company before the name Alvis was used for the cars. Note in this advertisement the name and address for the Dealer! Later 103 New Bond Street was the home to the London Dealer, Brooklands of Bond Street for TA 14s, particularly new Tickfords, as shown below.

 

Also it appears owners of cars were sent off with this key ring. Those who have the Brooklands provenance of their cars might wish to keep their eyes open on eBay for an original keyring.

Christmas presents should be on the list for your friend and here are a few suggestions for something to go under the tree.

Garage Heater
New fire extinguisher
Yellow Dusters

Many companies such as Tesco and Jessops do a good range of products that can have your picture printed on a product quite inexpensively.

Also a good photo of your car can be easily turned into various styles of portrait very inexpensively. A ‘Picasso’ or Impressionist perhaps.

A disc of all the old Alvis Bulletins and more from the Alvis Archive Trust see alvisarchive.com and then the Articles Index at the top of the page will give access to all manner of interesting technical Articles and advice.

No one can have too much in the way of body care products ready for the Spring.

Plenty of Alvis Books, see ‘Books and Publications’ above.

Finally if you were known as a person of deserving quality in 1948 you would receive the works Christmas Card.

Fast forward to 2019 and to all those discerning people who admire and cherish your TA 14s and now also the TB 14s, here is the Christmas Card, just a little late, blame the Postman.

Thanks to everyone who has dropped into this site over the past year and it just remains to say

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Eileen, Terry and ‘Aunty May’

See you in the New Year.