Alvis Fourteen

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

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