Alvis Fourteen

Can anyone help 3 once lovely TA 14s who are in need of very serious restoration.
There is an advert on eBay under Alvis Classic Cars and bidding finishes tomorrow.
There has only been 1 bid so far of £2200 and the reserve is £5500. The cars can also be seen on carandclassic in the eBay box.
The cars comprise 2 Mulliners Saloons and one Carbodies Drophead. We have chassis and registration number details for one Mulliners and one Drophead and they check out. Hope to get the chassis and registration details for the 2nd Mulliners shortly.
Would be such a shame to see them broken up. The seller is very helpful in providing information about the cars. There are photos of the cars on the site.

Carbodies Dhc. chassis no. 23031, registration no. GMJ 492
Mulliners Saloon chassis no. 20965, registration number SVS 424, has been AAX 323A.

For anyone contemplating or taking on the restoration of a Mulliners Saloon, suggest affixing this photograph on the wall of the garage for inspiration.
This beautiful example lives in Europe and must replicate the sight that met first owners of Mulliners Saloons when they collected their brand new car in the late 1940s.

The very nice Carbodies mentioned last month, chassis 22681, was sold by Anglia Car Auctions last month for £14 416 including buyer’s premium, so we hope to see her with her new owner soon.

Plenty of Alvis vehicles for sale on the Car and Classic Website this month. 102 offered for sale, the number available seems to be rising slowly. There are 6 TA 14s and 1 TB 14 available. The Auction result for the red TB 14 is not yet known or as to whether the car was sold. It will be interesting to see how close the final price is to the £43 040 total price at Auction in Scotland in November, achieved by a nice example of a TB 14, chassis No. 23513.
eBay continues to offer a selection of spare parts so worth keeping a watching brief.

Still needing the wheel nut tool, spats or drawings for a Carbodies and small metal piece for the steering wheel for the dip switch, these for an American Owner. Also a pristine Nave Plate for the man cave!

Still some of the new Carbodies rear window rubber strip for sale as mentioned in the last Post. I can pass on any enquiries to the vendor.

Have you checked your shock absorber links recently? To see below what they should look like under dirt and grime.

For those who turn up to South West Alvis Day with their Fourteen, there is the D.F.W.Eve trophy for the best all round TA/TB14. First awarded in 1982 many cars have been able to win the award for a combination of Concours and Driving tests and to avoid the same car always winning no Fourteen can win the award for more than 3 years in a row.

Many Fourteen owners have reached the time of life when extra time can be devoted to Alvis matters following retirement.
For some still working there is a lot to fit in with work, family etc.
A 10 year restoration project, competing with other ‘interesting’ vehicles sees Carbodies 22695 getting closer to the open road with the 2nd generation owner.

The gearbox sound of a Fourteen is pretty unique and can be identified blindfold from other motors. Normally the gears are engaged gently in a slow acceleration and there is the perception that a Fourteen is not the nippiest Alvis on the planet but think again.
In 1985 the overall Midland Sprint Champion results were as follows.

Joint 3rd, Rivers Fletcher, Speed 25 Special. Brian Chant in Brutus, 4.3 litre Special.

2nd Stan Hicken, Speed 25 Special.

1st Bob Hyde, TA 14.

Says it all.

Donald Munro was well known in Post War Sporting Circles and he saw the potential of the TA 14 but not quite as we know them.
In 1952 he commissioned a new bespoke Drophead body to replace an accident damaged body that had to be removed from a chassis he acquired.
The car was to be his car for regular business use.
These photos show the stylish body that was built by Jarvis of Shepherd’s Bush, London.

The highest praise came by saying the car was rattle free.

Finally with Summer on its way the joys of open Motoring are upon us.
Did you ever realise the joys of such Motoring are enhanced by 6 seater TA 14s?
Bluebell, chassis 22329, a well known Tickford demonstrates how to add on the additional seating capacity. This is perhaps now falling into the category of ‘don’t do this today’. Bluebell is now cared for by the 3rd generation of her family.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

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

Major fettling over winter can sometimes result in an engine needing to be run in.
Alvis thought of that and produced a handy running in guide that has now been put up on the Technical Section of this site. It is also very useful as a guide to keeping the engine properly set up. The booklet comprises 24 pages and it is apparent from the preface page there is little love lost for early ‘White Van Man’. To emphasis the global nature of Alvis exporting there is also a page in French.

However much Alvis fettling knowledge there is about, some problems with Alvis Cars can baffle even the experts. Fortunately the car in question here with the excessive fuel consumption, is a TA 21 but there by the grace… go Fourteens. The former head of R&D at Alvis told the story of a TA 21’s excessive fuel consumption. The problem was eventually solved on a test drive with the chief Tester as passenger. The choke control knob was being put in the open position as a hook for a handbag!

For those with access to old paper or electronic AOC Bulletins there is a very entertaining Article in Bulletin 290, April 1978, pages 60-62.
The collection process of a Carbodies they perceived to be ‘in good condition and quite complete’ was not quite as planned. Following transportation from London Paddington to Exeter the tow to the Tiverton destination was memorable.
‘At each bend on the road, however, I heard an evil ripping noise-on the third bend, I felt a sharp pain in my left ankle, and to my horror saw that the entire engine and gearbox unit was sliding back and forth across the car-it was carried only by the front axle and a chassis cross-member. The ripping noise was the front universal joint cutting its way through the transmission tunnel and floorboards, and the beginning of my ankle’. They were tough in those days.
To read further if you are without the old paper Bulletins go to fox@alvis100.plus.com to order the disk or stick of the old Bulletins for about £30.

3 nice J&M Models available on eBay. 3 Green Duncan Saloon Models. 1 is a fixed head coupe, 1 is a drophead coupe with hood up and 1 is a drophead coupe with Hood down. Also a Black over Cream Mulliners Saloon and Maroon Carbodies Dhc with fawn Hood in raised position. There are also used 1940s Tin Plate Models promoted as the Post War Alvis Saloon.
Several TA and TB 14 Brochures are also offered for sale on eBay. An International Alvis Day Brochure still for £9.99, was your car there?
For TB 14 owners there is an original sales brochure, a nice addition to go with the car.

We tend to think of many Specials as being more recent in origin. One of the earliest dates from about 1958. The Shooting Brake body on chassis 20722 was removed and a functional pick-up body installed.

The word racing and TA 14 do not always go together. Certainly in one of the psychological word pairing tests few us when given TA 14 would respond with the word racing. We should not dismiss this seemingly unlikely combination. Chassis 21237 was originally a Mulliners Saloon but was rebodied as a competitive Special.
Competing at The Midland Sprint Curborough in 1979 she was lent by a ‘trusting’ owner! The report at the time:

‘The rain may have ruined the fun of some of the drivers, but it no doubt kept the handful of loyal supporters entertained. Stan ‘Bollards-to-the-lot-of-you’ Hicken played a merry game of skittles on his second run. His excuse was cramp in his big toe, but this did not stop him being faster than Collins in the latter‘s Speed 20 in the wet.’

Fourteens did well in the beauty stakes in 1979. Ron Buck’s beautiful Maroon Carbodies took 1st prize at the Donington Classic Car event. Well known at the time under her ARB 14 numberplate she is still going strong and back to her original numberplate PRF 865.

Some interesting Fourteens for sale if Santa did not deliver one already. On Car and Classic’s website there are currently 80 Alvis Cars for sale including 5 TA 14s and one TB 14, the latter if you win the next Lottery. There is a very nice looking Carbodies, JYE 909, chassis 22038. Price seems quite sensible at £19995. Also 2 nice Mulliners, one for Auction at Morris Leslie Vehicle Auctions on 23rd February, Guide Price £8000.
A further Drophead in Belgium and one in The Netherlands.

Whilst our cars most firmly run on dry land they can have quite a close connection to waterborne craft. The following letter from an eminent local Alvis enthusiast sheds further light on the matter.
‘car bodies instead of cruisers were being made at two Norfolk Broads yacht stations. Boat building at the time being restricted to a minimum. Graham Bunn Ltd. and Herbert Woods Ltd. of Potter Heigham solved the problem of keeping their yards in full work by constructing the wooden framework for Alvis 14hp and Healey 16hp Saloons. English Ash was the favoured material although occasionally German Beech was used. I imagine the frames were made for the Duncan bodied Alvis the firm had just set up business in North Walsham and also made bodies for Healeys.’ So is your Duncan English Ash or German Beech? Let us hope the Beech was for the Healeys.

With thoughts of cold winter weather that may come in before Spring there were some problems experienced when Fourteens were exported to Sweden when new, AOC Bulletin 311, January 1980, pages 10-11. The chassis were sensitive to the wet weather that can be experienced in the Swedish winter. Doors had insufficient sealing from driving rain, electric wires were not sufficiently insulated resulting occasionally in shorts. All in all however the cars were very good and appreciated by the Swedish customers. The problems were obviously not insurmountable as the author of the above Article has recently restored another TA 14 this time a Drophead. For those seeking a nice relaxing interlude over the New Year period there is the option of watching a professionally made film of a Carbodies for 7 minutes driving along empty Swedish roads. The characteristic sound of the gearbox and engine comes through thanks to a wireless microphone in the footwell to cut out the wind noise.To pick up the film go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dryULS_vRbu (you may find it necessary to go into ‘youtube’ first and then enter the above URL for it to work) and for those with Smart TVs it is even better on the big screen. Chassis 22160 has spent her whole life in Sweden and started off being a Company car so she must have seen all weathers. She had not been out on the road since 1960 as she was slowly part restored. She was bought by her current owner in September 2017. After a further 600 hours of restoration she emerged last June and took to the open road once more. She seems to be almost purring with joy.

Perhaps the above gives an inspiration to think of doing something similar so as to enjoy the experience in winter months next year although stop start in the crowded South East of England might not produce quite the same magic. Nevertheless a dash cam recording down the bonnet is something possible and many of us have a cigarette lighter fitting tucked under the dashboard for a Sat Nav that would accommodate a dash cam.

Not many would have gone out in The Beast from The East last year. One option for venturing out in chilly weather when you have a Drophead could be to have a snug hardtop. Chassis 22089 demonstrates how snug and good a custom made hard top can be. They have even been seen with a TB 14.

Back to the future now.

The 50th Anniversary TA/TB 14 book by Mick Fletcher and Colin Newby has been refreshed and republished in paper format. Long out of print and available only in disc format it has been a sought after item on the second hand market for years. It is an essential publication for Fourteen owners. Copies can be obtained from the Alvis Owner Club Site, email shop@alvisoc.org for that and other merchandise.

So as the old year gives way to 2019 it just remains to say thank you to everyone who has dropped into this site over the past year and wish you and all Fourteens all the Very Best for 2019.

Eileen,Terry and ‘Aunty May’, chassis 21830.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Warning!!! Do not look at the sale prices for Aston Martin DB4s. Long term TA 14 owners would be ill advised to look too closely at Dealer prices for TA 14s in 1977. A 1948 Saloon was up for £1495, the same price as for a 1964 Aston Martin!

7 TA and TB 14s are up for sale this month on carandclassic.co.uk so a good selection out of the 81 Alvis Cars for sale. Ebay continues to have a good range of spares.

The TB 14 mentioned in the last Post was sold for £43050 plus buyer’s premium of 5%, slightly below the lower estimate. Still a good solid price for these increasingly valuable models. The Article about the car is now in the Section Articles on this site. Just try and glaze over the ‘F’ word!

Again referring to the last Post, the attractive blue Carbodies is in need of carpets. The hood should be completed in the next few months to keep out the rain. Does anyone have plans of the Carbodies carpet or an old one that can be borrowed for copying?
Totally different carpet system to the Tickford.

Worblaufen were not a well known name in TA 14 bodybuilders but what they lacked in numbers they certainly made up for in style. Interesting to note they have not followed the ‘suicide’ door style of the Carbodies and Tickford models.

A bodybuilder who also kept the ‘suicide doors’ was Richard Mead as the lovely early photograph shows. The car is chassis 20566 and has an aluminium body with steel wings.

We now have copies of original brochures for TA 14s in Dutch, French and Portuguese and these are now in the ‘Brochures and Publications’ Section of this site.

With Christmas coming it is worth looking at the website for Holden Vintage and Classic. Lots of tempting goodies for owners and cars and hints for prezzies. The website is good but the Printed Motoring Catalogue is a very pleasant read and costs approx. £6. The mechanics stethoscope at £20.69, the remote thermometer at £28.74, a bright red metallic wing cover and for the grandchildren a realistic model of an internal combustion engine that may add to their interest in our cars, catch em young!

A delightful Carbodies, chassis 22858, was auctioned recently and fetched £16748 including buyer’s premium. Someone got a very good deal. The car had been stored in a centrally heated garage since 1970 and started on a regular basis. Last MOT was 1970 showing 30392 miles on the clock!

Yet another car has popped out of the woodwork, chassis 23678 is sadly without her Mulliners body but she is to be restored as a Special. Some of the Fourteen Specials are very stylish cars and sought after. It is not uncommon now for older Specials to be rebodied when a less than attractive body was first put on. You will be able to follow progress on the restoration by going to the Blog named ‘A Special Builder’s notes’ and follow the progress blow by blow, hopefully not too literally.

Finally as the year starts drawing to an end one can think back to the end of the production run of Fourteen chassis. There was not a smooth ending for chassis numbers. With the start being 23500 the finale began with chassis numbers 23800, 23801, 23802 and then ?
23803 was the chassis number given to the first 3 litre production car, JWK 290. This car was owned by W.Dunn of Alvis and was used as a promotional car. With a nod to the American market she had whitewall tyres and a white steering wheel. Good to know that the car is still going strong and in the hands of a long term Alvis Owner. The car is now bodied as a TC 21/100 but that is another story.

The latter photo has recently come to light in a box of TA 14 papers. For more on these very desirable successors to the Fourteens look on the main Alvis Archive site alvisarchive.com and click on the index TA 21.

There were also the 3 prototype 3 litres who will have used some of the in between chassis numbers but only ever allocated 3L1, 3L2 plus 3L3 as mentioned in the last Post.

That was not the end of TA 14s as there was a flurry of Mulliners chassis numbers 23821-23830 and then that as they say was that. The end of a golden era.

Finally as Advent begins the run up to Christmas may we wish a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to our readers from all over the world. At the last count you are from Great Britain, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Uruguay and Turkey.

Eileen, Terry and Aunty May (chassis 21830).

Many times when someone is looking for a TB 14 they can prove quite hard to find but not at the moment.
Chassis 23513 is coming up for Auction at the end of the month in Perth, Scotland and looks an attractive prospect. Classic Car Weekly will have an article and photo of the car this week that should prove to be interesting reading. The Motoring journalist Chris Hope has taken the car out for a spin and as ever with TB 14s there is a smile on his face as he drives down the road. See details on the general Alvis Section of the carandclassic website – also from the Auctioneers, Morris and Leslie. The sale is on 24th November and there is a guide price of £45-£50 000.

A very nice red version is up for sale in and for those with deep pockets the asking price is €125 000. Trouble is with the current exchange rate the £ is not on the side of British purchasers. Prices such as these show that TB 14s have now become one of the more sought after models in the Alvis range. Details of the car are on the website, carandclassic along with 80 other Alvis Cars at the time of writing.

The part restored TB 14, chassis 23515 is still for sale and at £22 000 looks like a good financial bet. Details also on carandclassic in the general Alvis Section. A lot of parts included so this looks a very good buy.

In addition to TBs for sale, one TB 14, chassis 23579 has the honour of knowing that a Member of the family was racing a 90 year old Alvis around the Le Mans circuit this summer. Even those who are not racing aficionados will enjoy the Article written in the September/October Bulletin of the Alvis Owner Club Bulletin giving a behind the scenes window into the trials, tribulations and successes of the Classic Car Racing scene. For those living in the West Country watch out for a smart black TB 14 lining itself up to take the corners at the best angle!

As always an interesting selection of TA 14s on carandclassic. One recent addition is another ‘discovered’ Carbodies TA 14. Chassis 22521 has been in storage for 40 years and has only just emerged and become available to purchase. A restoration project priced at £8000 looks a good bet.

A Car that has slumbered for nearly as long is a Mulliners Saloon, chassis 20674, that has spent all her life in South Africa. Exported as a new car she has recently emerged from 38 years in storage and is now being restored. Some spares are required:

Trafficators
Horns
Speedometer
Wooden trim above the dashboard including ashtrays
Body Panel below the boot.

For those in the Cambridge area there is a new Carbodies restoration now back on the road. Chassis 22814 is still awaiting her new Hood and then subsequent retrimming but in the meantime she is a lovely sight in blue following an extensive renovation by her proud owner and she drives beautifully. Anyone wanting to read about the restoration in a literally ‘blow by blow’ account can use a search engine and put in PippinAlvis.
Looking at the records of her restoration it is quite remarkable to see in such detail the work that has gone in to produce such a lovely car.

A superb photo from the Archives shows a new Airflow Bodied TA 14 in her prime. Very individual lines but perhaps not quite enough room in the doors to fit the ubiquitous TB 14 Cocktail Cabinet. She is chassis 20529, ANH 47, one of the very early TA 14s.

We all know how frustrating it can be when the usual sources of spares such as Red Triangle and Chris Prince cannot supply a part that is needed.
The electronic Calendar produced by the Alvis Owner Club usually has a list of spares for sale but sometimes there are more that the vendor has not scheduled so always worth checking.

eBay is becoming a very useful place to locate spares and this month’s selection includes a lot of new ‘old’ spares. Also available a spare tyre cover and bonnet. A rear seat pull out ashtray at £35 might suit someone. Search Alvis Car Parts. Also on eBay search Alvis Automobilia for a selection of original and reproduction TA 14 Brochures and advertisements.

Seeking Spares can be a slow process and a Carbodies Owner in Houston Texas is still seeking a Nave Plate and small silvered lever for the steering wheel. Also 2 owners are seeking sunroofs. I can pass on any details of spares that are for sale.

The only one left of the 3 prototype TA 21 Saloons, chassis 3L3 has secured a safe new home in The Netherlands and should be moving down from Norway soon. She has not spent long in Norway having been repatriated recently from California.
Thank goodness she will not be turned into a Special as she is a one off historic vehicle. Despite being a prototype TA 21 she is actually a modified TA 14 with a 3 litre engine now having 100bhp. She had been uprated to TC21/100 specification from the original single Solex and 83 bhp. So if you are overtaken in The Netherlands by a TA 14 you will know why
A claim to fame for this car is that in the 1970s she was loaned to Granada studios to appear in their film about Philby, Burgess and McLean. So now have to try and find a copy of the film. The extract below is of the car in the 1970s.

Finally to confirm that the name of this site has now been changed to alvis14.com and this should make it easier for search engines to find the site.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Coming up for sale at Auction on Saturday 22nd September is this very tidy Carbodies Drophead. Chassis 22038, JYE 909 has been with the current owner since 2013. The estimate is £21-£24k plus buyer’s premium. I am advised there is no reserve. The sale is sadly due to the advancing years of the owner.

For more details and photos go to the Car and Classic Website and search Alvis TA 14.
The Auctioneer is Historic Auctions at Brooklands, Berkshire.

Whilst on Car and Classic you will still find other TA 14s for sale plus the tempting TB 14 restoration project.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

It is really lovely when a period photograph comes to light and even better when we have direct links to the early owners.

LYD 995, chassis 23763 is one such Mulliners. A photo taken in 1951 at North Hill, Minehead, Somerset shows Mr W.E. Challice with his daughter in 1951. Mr Challice ran W. E. Challice Ltd. in Cannington, Bridgewater and was an Alvis Dealer. We know that at least 2 other Mulliners TA 14s were sold by him, chassis 22059 and chassis 22359.
Mr Challice must have liked the car as he ran it from Spring 1950 until the eventual sale to Kraft Productions of Cornborough Place, Bridgewater, Somerset where the trail goes cold.

Another charming photo is that of chassis 20821, HDU 160.
This interesting TA 14 is a 2 door fixed head.

For those needing some Bonnet catches there is a set of 4 on eBay with an asking price of £24-99. They look as though they are suitable for a TA 14 and are used.

For £275 there is a new ‘old stock’ manifold also on eBay.

A complete windscreen opener is also available for £50 does not seem a lot.
The bonnet top for £150 could also be a good buy if you need one.
Other items of trim and spares available so worth while keeping an eye on eBay Alvis Spare Parts.

Under the books and Manuals there are usually some items of interest.
The Catalogue of Spare Parts for TA/TB 14s is on offer for £125 in its original style. To acquire a cheaper copy order a reprint from Red Triangle. The original Drivers Manual for a starting bid of £14.99 was promptly snapped up and represented good value for money.
For anyone wanting to buy brochures from past Alvis Owner Club National/International events there are quite a few up for sale on eBay and the going rate seems around £10 plus p&p. Nice to have if your car was a participant at the event.
Interesting to note that old Alvis Day pamphlets are on offer, £10 to £15. Should be of interest if you Car was attending that year.

There is an interesting website for a Company called Trade Classics. The main business is the sales of Classic Cars by Auction or Private Treaty. Their website is tradeclassics.com and they do include some very interesting Articles. One that caught the eye is on importing classic cars from overseas. The Article is clearly set out and a very useful introductory guide to the topic for anyone contemplating this route.

Something of interest if your TA 14 is off the road or maybe you are between Fourteens.
‘BookAClassic’ can offer the opportunity to hire a TA 14 with a chauffeur or sometimes self drive at an hourly rate. Check the website at bookaclassic.co.uk to find out more. The temptations of the Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, E type Jaguars etc. will surely fade once the Black Carbodies drophead comes into view. Also there is the opportunity to offer your own car as available, ideally as chauffeured and not the self-drive option. The Carbodies is in the Potters Bar Area and can be hired for £120 per hour with a chauffeur, minimum hire £550. The self drive option is not available. Lovely idea if you want a trip down memory lane if you used to own a TA 14 or there is a family wedding coming up.

When was the last time you were called a dipstick? Thinking about it prompted a Google search to try and understand why someone would be called a fluid check mechanism?
Quite surprisingly the expression has no relationship to the above but originates in the 1920s when one could be called a dip, perhaps linked to dippy.

Finally the heatwave seems to be over but hopefully not the summer. As we all know the Fourteens have a slight tendency to overheat and it was ever thus.
Below is the advice given out to new owners at the time once they were reporting back with overheating problems. In the 1960s and 70s there was quite a thing for 8 bladed fans as were fitted to many export cars going to hotter climates.

Happy Motoring for September.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Two Tickfords have been sought for some years by family Members of original owners.
Amazingly they both surfaced within a week of each other.

JUL 110, chassis 21100 is currently available to purchase, located in Kidderminster. The asking price is circa £8000 having failed to sell on Ebay for £6500. The car is a partly dismantled restoration project. It is too large a project for the early owner’s family.

KLL 115, chassis 22377 is a happier story. She is under restoration scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The current owner will be showing her to the family in due course.

Browsing or researching through old Alvis Owner Club Bulletins can be a very slow process. Interesting Articles and snippets of information pop up and take pleasant minutes to read through.

One such Article is in Bulletin 247, pages 8 & 9 describing the ‘joys’ of restoring a Mulliners Saloon that had been stored for 10 years. The restoration took a couple of years in the 1970s and it is hard not to mutter, yes that sounds familiar. Anyway good reading for those with the paper Bulletins or disc. Incentive to others to buy a copy from the Alvis Archive Trust.

Anyone heading for Sri Lanka (Ceylon as a was) should investigate to see if they can get to Colombo where you should find Alvis Place, off Alvis Terrace, now there are photos to bring home. There are hotels available to stay in with the address Alvis Place.

The prototype 3 litre based upon the TA 14 Mulliners Saloon returned to Europe recently and is now available to purchase from Norway. Ideal car for those who appreciate the fine points of TA 14s but would like more power with the 3 litre engine and other modifications. It is the only one of the original 3 left and has the chassis number 3L3. Whilst it is advertised on ‘Car and Classic’ for £12, 000 we understand that the price might be £11 000 to an Alvis enthusiast.

Hopefully the current heatwave will not cause too much overheating for the rest of the summer.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Over 100 years ago, several photographs were taken of my grandfather in this car.

To this day they reside in an ageing family photo Album at the top of the bookcase.
It is an example of how much motoring memorabilia, particularly photographs are tucked away. With the help of a motoring historian the car was identified as a Standard. Quick check on the internet showed a Registrar for early Standard cars with a phone and email address. Quick email with photos brought the response that the car was a 1913 Standard Model S with Rhyl 2 seater bodywork. The engine is a 4 cylinder 1086c.c. side valve which was rated as 9.6 h.p.. So I know what the car was and the Standard Registrar is very pleased to have the photos for his records. Old photo Albums can decay or go missing. An Album with the same grandfather as a young boy in the 19th century was rescued from a tip a few years and only by diligent research by a local historian reunited with the family after a national news item.
So the point of all this is, please check through old family Albums and share relevant photos of old vehicles. Someone somewhere will be delighted to have copies or originals to keep with records. For Alvis Cars, the Alvis Archive Trust with their permanent Museum at Bowcliffe would care for such material. I am always happy to receive photos for scanning and prompt return or retaining the photos with the records.

Our windscreens are pretty standard apart from the ones now fitted to some Specials.
Hens‘ teeth to therefore come across a Woodie built with a curved windscreen. Eye watering to think of the replacement cost. It is possible the car has been rebodied at some stage and the windscreen was from another vehicle.
Said screen is fitted to chassis 20542, a unique Woodie built by Howard’s of Oulton Broad, Norfolk. Oulton Broad was the home of many wooden boat builders so it is probable the body was made by a boatbuilding firm. Hire boats were used as barricades above and below the water during the War and it took time for the Broads to be cleared and opened up for Tourism. Hence a yard would probably have been keen to get any work in 1946/47. So far internet searches has not identified the yard. Finally the good news is that the car still exists and is a candidate for restoration.

New to the Suppliers and Services Section is a very useful Company SVW Services of Hull. Whilst specialising in Tickford bodied cars, many of their Spares and Services are of use to all TA/TB 14s. The Company is long standing and in 1994 made new solid brass pram irons for ‘Aunty May’, still excellent. £252 80 pence. Suspect the price may have gone up a little by now. They can also provide such things as Lucas rear light boxes and undertake work such as lined hoods. Well worth a look at what they do on svwspares.co.uk. We have wooden patterns for the pram irons that are available to loan subject to deposit. Also by kind donation from a Swedish Owner we shall be receiving original specification drawings for the very complicated Tickford Hood. These drawings will be passed to the Alvis Archive Museum at Bowcliffe with copies available.

Good opportunity to acquire a Tickford Drophead has come up in Kent. ‘Beatrice’ is now looking for a new home and is competitively priced at £12500 o.n.o. for one of the rarer dropheads.
Photos are on Gallery 2 for chassis 23632 and the full sale details are on carandclassic.co.uk with reference C983413.

Also on Car and Classic are the details of a good looking Tickford that has been in the Netherlands since 1977. Priced at 37 500 euros she looks like a car with not too much to do.

At the other end of the scale Chris Prince is advertising 2 Mulliners Saloons at £1800 each. Both look in a very sorry state and are probably not candidates for restoration. Probably they will go to people wanting to make Specials as the chassis are staged to be good, otherwise potential spares.

Checking Ebay shows quite a lot of TA 14 spares available. This months’ offerings include both sides of the Bonnet, Wood trim for a Mulliners Saloon, Front Bumper, Rocker Cover and quite a lot more.

Continuing the For Sale topic, ‘3 Litre acquisition with power steering forces sale’!
Actually a general statement but lighter steering was necessary, for the driver.
As a result a good opportunity has come up to acquire a very nice Mulliners Saloon, chassis 23047 with good provenance. She has been seen at Alvis Days.
Photos of the car from International Alvis Day 2014 are on Gallery 2. The car is for sale with The Motor Shed, Bicester, where further details can be found.

Some more information has been entered under Lost Cars so if ever time available have a check and see if you can provide any extra information to Lost and Rogue Cars.

Some updating has taken place to the Suppliers and Services Section . Most firms now have a reasonable website setting out their wares.

The Richard Mead Tickford bodied TA 14, chassis 21852 sold at Auction last month to a TA 14 enthusiast. She has been quite a ‘gad about’ in her time. She has taken former owners touring in Scotland, Wales, Norway, France, Switzerland and more. Richard Mead passed away in 1991 but the new owner will be able to chat to another TA 14 enthusiast who spoke with Richard and can pass on information. We believe there were 9 of the pre war MG Tickford bodies used by Richard Mead. In 2002, two of them were able to meet and compare notes. Chassis 21021 being possibly the only other surviving Mead.

The Mulliners TA 14 advertised last month in the Alvis Owner Club Calendar, chassis 22947 has gone to a new home. She will be used for some Weddings, she has joined some other cars doing the same. When details are available, details will be given in case there is a wedding when she might participate.

The main Alvis Archive site has information about the 1000 mile reliability run. The charming Cream Woodie chassis 21664 is participating and the main site covers progress on alvisarchive.com.

For those who find the performance of our sprightly Fourteens a little sluggish some in the past have carried out modifications. There is an excellent Article in the Alvis Owner Club Bulletin 543, September/October 2013. For those without paper or electronic copies the latter can be obtained from the Archive /Trust via alvisarchive.com.
The before and after photos of chassis 21835, LVK 959 are quite amazing and certainly the super charger under the bonnet is not quite the norm! Hopefully not too many owners will be inspired to follow suit but she is a beautiful restoration of a car that otherwise might not have survived.

We are still looking for a wheel brace, nave plate and traficator switch for a steering wheel. The American TA 14 enthusiast will pay market price and full shipping. Just imagine your are showing your lovely Carbodies at a show and everyone points out you are missing a hub cap.
Also does anyone have a spare cylinder head for an owner in Sweden to purchase?

Well Spring is here, time to get polishing!!!

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com