What a summer it has been! Global warming is increasing the temperatures for summer and some Fourteens can struggle in the higher temperatures.

Many of the Fourteens sent for export were fitted with 8 bladed fans to help with the higher temperatures they might experience in places such as Australia, Egypt, India, Portugal and the USA. 8 bladed fans were also fitted to cars going to countries such as Switzerland to assist with climbing the mountain passes before the excellent network of tunnels were developed.

Tickford were quite forward thinking and provided 2 good sized horizontal bonnet louvres to be opened at the first increases of temperature.

In the 1960s and 1970s when many cars were doing quite considerable mileages some owners installed electric fans to help with the heat.

For the rest the summer drive would be ‘enhanced’ with the opening of flaps, if any, then putting the heater on full with the occupants of the car to emerge lobster pink at the end of the journey. Those with a hood could dissipate the heater’s output but be roasted by the sun. Happy Days! Currently most of us are now experiencing comfortable summer temperatures but time is ticking and soon we shall think fondly of the heat. Winter time for our cars often meant putting the muffler on the radiator and for those wishing to recreate those halcyon days there is one for sale in the new quantity of spares detailed above on ABAY. Quite rare to find one these mufflers now and if the condition is not good enough it can be used as a pattern for a new one to be made.

Should the above bring back memories the following is a story of how it was back in the days before Health and Saftey!

Touring in Europe can produce some interesting stops that are not on the mainstream tourist route.

Classic Remise 2 in Düsseldorf is one such attraction and has even had visiting Alvis and Alvis for sale as can be seen on their website, remise.de.

Housed in an amazing conversion of a huge locomotive turntable shed it houses around 300 classic cars for sale and in storage together with professional workshops. One of the best features is that you can store your car in a glass box so it can be seen but not touched. Just the thing for a fine Fourteen to spend time in on display. Sure beats the rented lock up down the road.

More details are on the website and one of the best features is that it is free to visit and spend the day there.

No Alvis at this one but the Red Bull exhibition area near Salzburg offers another very good free outing for car enthusiasts. Sadly no bottles of ‘Red Bull’ polish to acquire as a souvenir.

Restoration projects for Fourteens continue and when considering an interior retrim one could be in good company using a firm or company with a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III as leather tanners and curriers. Pleased to see animal welfare standards now come into the consideration for the finest leathers.

Connolly, so long the Rolls Royce of leathers is now reborn with the 4th generation Jonathan Connolly. The selection of leathers is quite mind blowing and if price is no barrier your Fourteen could be trimmed with the crème de la crème of leathers. The website is connollybros.co.uk and this will open to show the various high quality hides and services available to his Majesty and Fourteen owners. It is probable that the Vaumol range would be appropriate for Fourteens. Going to connollyengland.com will show details of the Connolly Shop in Mayfair that will allow the discerning owner to acquire beautiful elegant British clothing and leather goods.

Should some of the above be a trifle costly, a real treat can be acquired from Leathercare Limited of Knutsford, website leathercaredirect.com. This company has a close relationship with Connollys and as well as high quality trimming offers a good selection of cleaning and treatment products. Topping off the product range is a bottle Leather Aroma concentrate for only £8. One for the Christmas List!

An attractive Carbodies has been seen in France and it would be nice to put a chassis number to the car, can anyone help with this?

A long time Carbodies owner near Cambridge has finally got round to creating more space in his garage to reveal quite a large quantity of surplus spares including the radiator muffler as mentioned above. Go up to the ABAY header and browse through what’s on offer. Could be an an opportunity to stock up with spares at a reasonable price and they are quite well located in Cambridgeshire. Also there is a gearbox for sale in East Kent.

The stock of cars for sale had reduced and on carandclassic.com was down to a nice looking Mulliners Saloon and Barnard Woodie. Added on 30th August is a Duncan pillarless saloon, price on application from Ashridge Automobiles Ltd. in Bedford. Duncans were rated by Autocar back in the day.

‘This elegant sports saloon is at once outstanding, its handsome contours creating the impression of silent speed, superb acceleration and excellent road manners”.

According to the Dealer, a Duncan cost about £1 000 more than an XK 120 at the time.

The inspiration for the Alvis TA 14 Duncan is reputed to have come from the Healey Duncan, a little known model, 27 built but from the photo the connection is clear to see.

Yet another long term family car is seeking a new home but from a little further afield. Mulliners Saloon chassis 21315 was originally exported to Australia in 1947 and has been in storage over there for nearly 40 years.This Article from Alvibatics, posted with kind permission of the Alvis Car Club based near Sydney, gives background information on the car. One bonus for any British buyer is that the car is right hand drive. An interesting Restoration/Refurbishment project.

Also note that should you wish to become a Member of that Club you can, details to join are on their website, alviscarclub.au to see what is going on down under.

Back closer to home is a very nice sound Mulliners Saloon, available in Wales, looking to move on after over 50 years with 2 generations of the same family. Cannot put a price on such provenance and the car is very cherished and well cared for.

To the drum roll of ‘and still they come’ from War of the Worlds’, more Fourteens, having disappeared without a trace, have emerged into the light.

Over the Pond in America a Mulliners Saloon, chassis 23216, KLY 933 reappeared in Ohio and has been whisked off to Michigan for where a full restoration has already started. Last heard of in Yorkshire in the 1970s she was purchased and shipped over to America where she was driven quite a bit and then parked up. After over 50 years the owner sadly passed away and the car was offers for sale by his daughter. From the photos she looks very complete and an excellent base for a restoration project.

The car had not disappeared but delighted to confirm that the Raine TA 14 chassis 21865, mentioned in previous Posts, has found a good home up in the North West with a long term aficionado of Fourteens so she will be well cared for and seen around the Northern circuit.

A TA 14 that has gone off the radar is a red TB 14 MTV 550, chassis 23542, a former owner would love to meet up with the current owner and chat about times he enjoyed with the car. Does anyone know of her current whereabouts?

Finally VJ Day and the anniversary of the end of the 2nd World War (15th August) is coming up and probably cars that celebrated VE Day will reappear in their celebratory finery. One such car (Iris) chassis 23008 was seen celebrating VE Day in fine style. Her proud owner stood in the style of Douglas Bader and wore the uniform representing his father who served as a radio operator in the RAF during the war.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com