Alvis Fourteen

She may not be wearing a Red Triangle but our Fourteens can trace their heritage back to before the American revolution.

Whilst Karl Benz took out a patent on the first Motor Car, many years before, the world’s first self propelled vehicle was produced.
In about 1770 Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot demonstrated his steam powered self propelled ‘Fardier’ (large cart) in France and pulled a 5 ton artillery cannon. The original is housed in the Collection of the Conservatoire de Arts et Metiers, Paris and a faithful Museum quality replica lives in the Tampa Classic Car Museum, Florida.

Staying with American Car Museums the Sarasota Museum currently has a very interesting car that may look rather familiar!
Claiming to be the first true American Sportscar the 1947 Kurtis Omohundro Comet looks remarkably similar to the prototype TB 14 that was demonstrated at the 1948 London Motor Show.
The TB 14 has, of necessity, a seriously large rear as the body had to fit the TA 14 chassis. Looking at the photos the link between the 2 cars is very strong even down to the Aluminium spats.

The latest brochure from Red Triangle makes for some very interesting reading.
Options available for Alvis Cars are varied and increasing. Benefitting from their stock of original drawings, new cylinder heads, blocks, crankshafts etc. Could be a godsend if ever needed. Worthwhile going on the Red Triangle mailing list if not already on.

The TA 14 AOC Technical Advisor in Norfolk is steadily reducing his large quantity of mainly second hand spares but there is still a considerable quantity to go.
Should that be a daunting prospect consider going to the closed scrap yard in Georgia, USA owned by Dean Lewis. Thousands of cars are quietly rusting away in the woods and it is becoming a tourist attraction. Some of the cars have not been touched in sixty or seventy years. Wonder if any Fourteens for spares. Clip of the site on the BBC news website.

Some spares he could not source and a Carbodies Owner in Houston, Texas is looking to purchase a wheel brace, nave plate (hub cap) and the little chrome plated lever that operates the dip and switch fro the steering wheel horn boss. I can put you in direct touch, full p & p would be paid.

To facilitate the purchase of spare parts and access to specialised services the American Company, Classic Parts for U aims to expand its service supplying classic car parts and services. They have been selling on EBay since 2000 and have now signed a partnership deal with FIVA, Federation International Vehicules International. Use a search engine to find their site, classicparts4U. They aim to provide ‘virtual assembly support using modern voice and video communication’, welcome to the 21st century

Several TA/ TB 14s are currently for sale at present. The Mulliners Saloon advertised in the Alvis Owner Club Calendar used to be a familiar sight at Alvis Days in the past. Whilst Barn stored for some years, chassis 22947 represents a good opportunity to acquire a formerly cherished car. At offers in the region of £5000, well worth considering. There is a photo on Gallery 2.

For those considering the option of a drop head, the Carbodies owned by the late Peter Madge is another well known and cherished car now available. Chassis 22231 is also advertised in the AOC Calendar and there is a photo of the car on Gallery 2.

A rare 1948 Richard Mead Tickford bodied Fourteen, chassis 21852 will be auctioned at Bicester on April 11th by Brightwells. There is a lot of information on the Brightwells site and a guide price of £18000-£22000. The only reason for the sale of this cherished car is the advancing years of her owner. Considerable expense and care has been lavished on her. Several photos are on Gallery 1.

Anyone considering the need for more power and speed should consider the 3 litre TA 21 prototype 3L3. It is a modified TA 14 Mulliners Saloon with a 3 litre engine and various other modifications. Developed in the 1940s for the successor model to the TA 14 it is one of 3 prototypes and the only one we know to have survived. The car is now back fro the USA and is for sale in Oslo, contact details can be advised.

Quite frequently people search for a Fourteen that was in the family in the 1950s and sixties and almost as frequently the advice given is that the car has been lost or no longer exists. So it was lovely to receive an enquiry as to the whereabouts of Tickford chassis 22001and be able to put the current owner in touch with the enquirer. A lovely period photo was sent in and will go on The Gallery next week.

Some very good news is that Duckhams 20/50 is back. An oil that gave excellent performance and was for many the oil of choice for Classic Cars back in the day.

Not such good news is that DVLA will no longer provide the history of a vehicle in response to a V888 request.

Finally, next time you go to grab a beer from the fridge, give a thought to those who do the same at the Eldorado Gold mine, Southern Nevada. Somehow the dip and cheeseburgers seem less appealing!

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

The 3 litre prototype for the TA 21 is now for sale in America and was in fact the first of the 3 prototypes to be adapted and bodied. Great that she still survives but bit of a squeeze for working on the engine. 3L3 was followed by 3L2 then
3L1.

3L2 was given a very modern and striking body as shown below

There is a slight ‘nod to the American Styling that also influenced the rare ‘Tropic’ bodies put on the 14 chassis by Graber.
What a shame 3L2 was broken up.
For those with access to paper or electronic old AOC Bulletins, there is quite an extensive Article about the 3 litre prototypes in Bulletin 398, 1992.

The Driver’s manual for the new TA 21 was written by Ron Walton, author of ‘Young Ron’ and keen TA 14 man. Many will have met Ron at International Alvis Weekend 2016.
With the emphasis on making the car more appealing to lady drivers, a photo of an elegant lady was incorporated. This was not to demonstrate a feminine aspect of the new Model. The lady was shown ‘releasing the spare wheel tray and jacking up the car in a nonchalant manner’; these operations, as many owners will know requires the services of a weightlifter, never mind a beautifully dressed lady in high heels!

A further visit has been made to the Car Museum, at Rio Branco in the North of Uruguay, by our intrepid Alvis Club Member. Items for the Mulliners TA 14 and Museum were presented and it sounds like a great time was had by all. Hopefully photo to follow next month.

It is now nice to be able to offer the experience of visiting our own British Alvis Museum run by the Alvis Archive Trust. This means foreign visitors now have an Alvis Museum destination to add to their travels. Details on the main Alvis Archive site.

Ebay continues to be a good source of TA 14 spares and Memorabilia.
A note from France has highlighted the availability of 4 Nave Plates for the not unreasonable price of £77 and when this advert is pulled up there is also another advert for dashboard instruments that could be of interest. As always a selection of Fourteens to peruse and possibly purchase. Also an increasing amount of Manuals and pamphlets at seriously increasing prices. A 1966 National Alvis Day Programme on offer for £11. Nice to have if your car was there.

From the same ‘surfer’ came details of an Alvis with an identity crisis. This smart Woodie photo of a TA 14 in the USA or Oz appeared on a Lea Francis website. Of all the other car names at the time the Woodies bearing the Lea Francis badge appear the closest to the TA 14 Woodies and sometimes it is good to be able to see the badge to make the identification. The identity of this smart car would be welcome.

A Swedish owner who is restoring his Carbodies is searching for another Sun Visor. The photo shows the one to match or possibly 2 of the same vintage. This visor not being the same as the one available for Saloons.

To make sure this Post is not all Woodies, there are at least 3 TB 14s undergoing serious renovation and these photos from Sweden show one of them back to bare metal.

We should have the treat of seeing these cars completed in the not too distant future as all the renovations are active and ongoing. This English restoration shows progress up to the beautiful respray in red.

The one in the USA is progressing well.
For anyone with a well stocked cheque book, currently this lovely example is for sale in Cologne, Germany for £75k.

On the internet are some good clear photos of the car described as professionally restored. Soon it will become difficult to find a TB 14 without the Cocktail cabinet.

Garage costs are on many minds when assistance is needed but it appears this has always been the case. This vintage sign in Florida very clearly sets out the pricing structure for work.

Sticking to the American Theme, Alvis was keen to export cars to the USA after the war. Our TA 14s, even the Duncan’s, must have looked somewhat old fashioned when one could buy a car such as this Ford in 1950. The current owner bought this car about 40 years ago to remind him of the same model he owned as a student at College! 

Not advertised but probably available is a full set of window glasses for a TA 14 Gaze Utility that was recently sold. The new owner intends to put on a Special body and may not require the windows. They would probably be free to a good home if collected from Cambridge.

An enquiry has come through as to there whereabouts or fate of a Woodie, registration FA 9059. We have a slight conundrum as to the chassis number which is unknown but which might be 20774. It is possibly a Cooper bodied Woodie Due to the possibility of a mix up in Chassis numbers in the early days this may be a query that can be resolved with the Kithead Trust who hold many old original records. Should anyone have any knowledge of the car or it’s fate the family of an early owner would love to have contact.

To end on a very sad note, the sudden passing of Jennie Kindell is a great loss both to her family and the world of Alvis enthusiasts. At Alvis events over many years Jennie would be there, many times in an organising capacity to ensure the efficient running of events. Also much involved with the family Alvis Cars including Carbodies, ‘Blodwyn’, cared for by 3 generations of the family. Many will have also known Jennie in her role as ‘The Fast Grey Lady’ editing the monthly ‘Pink Calendar’ for the Alvis Owner Club. ‘51% Sweetheart, 49% Scary don’t push it’ was her slogan for the Pink and all new Fourteen owners were warned never, never try to slide anything in after a deadline!
Jennie will be so missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to Malcolm and family.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

To end the year perhaps it is appropriate to reflect on the innate quality of our cars that has stood them and us in such good stead over the years.

In 1946 The Autocar Magazine printed a report of the experience testing the new Alvis TA 14 Model. The TA 14 was found to be:

‘the most attractive car of its size which the well known company has produced, because it adds to the typical Alvis sure-footed and lively performance on the road a degree of all-round refinement which is quite impeccable. It steers lightly and with a confident certainty, and holds the road to perfection; the suspension is not hard, but most comfortable, the engine is very smooth and quite quiet, and the engine mounting conceals how many cylinders there are. ‘The car’s excellent tractability, well spaced gear ratios and powerful brakes all came in for praise, Autocar concluding that the TA 14’s ‘very high level of excellence puts this Alvis right in the front rank.’

So what more can one say?

Following on from the bodies designed by Bidee another has been identified on a Talbot Lago following the principle of one design fits all. See the last October Post to check against the other cars.

Those browsing the main Alvis Archive site may have spotted this advertisement for the Mackanass Woodie for sale. This was spotted at the St. Gallen‘s Classic Car Show in Switzerland. It is the only TA 14 known to have been bodied by Mackinass and looks a very attractive and well maintained Woodie. The prices for these desirable vehicles has been quietly creeping up and the exchange rate is about S Fr 0.76 to £1.

There are still a plentiful amount of spares for sale in Norfolk with the Technical Advisor for TA/TB 14s, details in The Bulletin. For anyone who is not a Member of the AOC I can ask the gentleman to contact you. I understand the spares include 1/2 dozen sets of front mudguards.

There are also some very useful TA 14 spares for sale privately in the North of England. These include a couple of engines and gearboxes, a bonnet and other spares. Let me know if you want contact details.

A Carbodies Owner in the Cambridge area is looking to acquire some Carbodies rear window rubber surround. Can anyone help to sell an appropriate amount or donate a small piece for copying. Also is anyone else interested in adding to a potential order. Let me know and I’ll put you in touch.

The Anglia Car Auctions sale in November ensured all cars went to new homes. Some immediately went up for sale again. Here are the sale proceeds details.

The TIckford TA 14 that was sold at Auction in November has now safely arrived in the USA. Quite interesting to see the snug fit in the container as she prepares to set her tyres on US soil for the first time. She is now tucked up in her garage for the winter, just as well as there is currently 2ft of snow outside and the temperature is minus 10F!

Staying in the USA one of the prototype models for the TA 21 has surfaced again. These cars were modified and fitted with 3 litre engines. They were not allocated a Fourteen chassis number. Originally after the war the TA 14 was to be offered as either a 2 litre or 3 litre model so this was not such a radical development.

One less down from the Brexit v Remain debate is that concerning Specials.
There is no doubt that some very attractive Specials can be made from TA 14s.
One such, chassis 23761 is living in Holland and what a beautiful backdrop of the tulip fields for the Spring.

For those into EBay there is currently one of the premium TA 14 Mulliners Sales brochures available for £89.99, prices are rising.

All over the world the arrival of Santa is looked forward to by children of all ages. Popular myth advises that, Christmas Eve he will be on his way with the presents piled into a sleigh pulled by a reindeer with a red nose! Oh no, no, no, an Urban Myth!
A rare sighting of the real delivery vehicle has occurred as shown below including the real red nose.

‘Now it is just time to say goodbye’ (as Pete and Dud would say!) to 2017 and wish everyone a Very Happy New Year.

Eileen, Terry and Aunty May (chassis 21830).

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

A recent visit to the Le Mans Motor Racing Museum has paid great dividends.

The existence of the TA 14 racing car, chassis 20528, has been known and documented in the past but now there is more!
In the circular Exhibition Room, display cabinets contain models of the post-war racing cars. Bated breath approaching the 1st Cabinet for 1949. There she is, a model of number 32, ‘The Tank’ in her yellow Belgian National racing colours and sporting the number 32.

The colours allocated to National Teams originated with the 1st Gordon Bennet race in 1900. Britain did not race with a team until 1902 and by then the colours red, white and blue had already been allocated so Olive green (Shamrock Green) was chosen as the race was held in Ireland and that developed over a short space of time to become British Racing Green.
For Le Mans the entry was from Belgium and so yellow was used despite the Alvis originating from Great Britain.

Not only do we now have photos of the model but there were also 2 more photographs that actually show her racing.

The first photo shows the start of the race and demonstrates a good start with other competitors still on the grid or behind.

The icing on the cake is the photo below showing her overtaking 2 cars on a bend. On of the cars being overtaken is number 34, an HRG 1500 lightweight that lasted 13 hours.

Sadly after an hour covering 6 Laps a big end failed and the race for our valiant TA 14 was over. Had there not been searing heat on the day and perhaps more ventilation under the bonnet, who knows what she might have achieved?

Tyres are a topic where many have fixed views and Fourteens are up amongst the serious discussions, radials versus cross ply.
Some points for either should be born in mind. Some tyres, particularly those on Special Offers, could have sat on the shelves for up to 5 years and still be legal to be sold as new. It is a good idea to specify the age a tyre should be when it is purchased. There is a lozenge stamped on the side wall of all new tyres. The first 2 numbers show the week the tyre was made. The second two numbers show the year. A tyre made in The 32 week of this year would show 3217. Thus buying if buying tyres now it is worth specifying they must not be older than 2017 even if this means missing the Special Offers. Another point to bear in mind is the tyre age when buying a car as the tyres could look pristine but be years old. Interestingly tyres age faster if not used frequently or stored away.
A life of a safe tyre should be about 5 years and then checked regularly by professionals who usually recommend 10 years as an absolute maximum. For those whose tyres have a 3 digit number on the sidewall, do not look away now. The 3 digit number shows the tyre was manufactured before the Millenium and should be replaced as soon as possible if the car goes on the road. You may find that the pristine but aged tyres could be very useful for other owners carrying out long term restoration and needing tyres whilst the project is underway.
Tyres used to be checked during an M.O.T.. When checking them do not stop at the sidewalls. It has been known for cracks to develop between the treads.
Finally Cross Ply or Radial? The longevity of radials should be academic for our cars. For most of us hard cornering does not come high on the list. The noise of the tyres can be greater with radials and the steering is heavier at slow speeds. The cost of cross ply tyres is usually cheaper than radials.
To assist with the decision making process it is worth asking to see the EU tyre assessments for differing tyres. They must be available for all new tyres since 2012 and are the colourful ‘sash’ wrapping around the new tyre. This enables you to compare:
Fuel efficiency.
Wet Grip.
Exterior noise.

‘Aunty May’ has been delighted with her Avon Tourist cross ply tyres for many years and would not want to run on anything else. They are a softer tyre and grip well in the wet.

November 4th is the big day for the sale of the Late Tom Poole’s Alvis Car Collection. In addition there is a Shooting Brake that was formerely owned by Tom plus a recently added Special that should interest those with ‘A need for Speed’. See last month’s Post for more details.
Google Anglia Car Auctions and see the whole range of the cars with their details. The sale will be held at Kings Lynn starting at noon with the viewing day on Friday 3rd November. The 4 TA 14s range between the Tickford we believe to have been owned by Einstein’s pupil, 2 Shooting Brake restoration projects that could produce fascinating examples of that delightful period style. There are not many Shooting Brakes of that style left and they epitomise the 1950s style and elegance.
The Special has been owned by the same family since 1991.

For those wanting less of a restoration project the AOC site and Pink Calendar show another Shooting Brake, Coachwork by Jones, available for sale at £16900, chassis 22186. Again a long term owner selling the car.

The above Fourteens would have been significant in themselves but the title of this month’s Post is World Exclusives!

Earlier in the month a communication was received from Belgium. A Barn find had been uncovered and information was wanted about the car. Fortunately from the photos sent we could immediately identify the car as one of the lost TA 14s bodied by Belgian Coachbuilder F.J.Bidee. That Company built the prototype TB 14 as exhibited at the 1948 Motor Show. In modified form the 100 TB 14s were then produced in Coventry by British Coachbuilder, A.P.Metalcraft.
We know of at least 70 running chassis that were exported to Belgium to the importer S.I.N.C.A. Ltd., 19 Rue de la Chancellerie, Brussels, Belgium.
The majority were very early in the production run starting with the second chassis no. 20501.
Checks on the Barn find car show that she has engine no. 23509 and further checks are to be made to see if the chassis number can be found. It may well be that she will become the earliest TA 14 known to be still in existence. Certainly one of the rarest. Also checks are being made to see if the registration number can be identified.

Below is a period photo of a Bidee Alvis.

Looking rather similar! A Bidee Jaguar !!

A Bidee Alfa Romeo!!!

‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ they say but who is flattering whom.

Follow up enquiries are to be made with the Jaguar and Alfa Romeo Clubs.

Finally keep the garage doors tightly closed and locked tonight against the ghouls and hobgoblins, Halloween is upon us.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

A Swedish owner is wanting to finish his restoration by installing twin carbs and higher ratio back axle to his Carbodies, chassis 22583. He is seeking the twin carb arrangement and back axle that were installed on TB 14s and is prepared to pay the market price and shipping. I can put you in touch directly if you have one or both that you are willing to sell.

Does anyone have information about the Coachbuilders, Airflow Streamlines of Northampton, they bodied at least 16 Fourteens. An approach is to be made to the successor Company but all information greatly received and of particular interest to the current owners of those cars.

All the cars owned by the late Tom Poole will be going up for Auction with Anglia Car Auctions.

They include 1 or 2 TF 21s. 1 TD 21 restoration project but very complete. This car was formerly owned by Lt. Colonel E.B.Dewey. T.D. (appropriate decoration)! He was a past Chairman & President of the Alvis Owner Club in the 1950s and 1960s.

One of the jewel’s in the Auction is the Tickford TA 14, KGC 539, chassis 22204. This car was owned by Professor von Klueber who was a pupil of Einstein so what a connection. See last month’s Post for more background. The guide price looks reasonable and there is 5% buyer’s premium and commission.

There is one Utility, chassis 20628. Believed to be by Gaze and the Dealer was Brooklands of Bond Street. When you look up the photo on the Auctioneer’s site you will see that there is the potential for a fascinating restoration project!!!

As an interesting project there is an 18ft Crested Eagle Limousine. Let’s hope it does not end up with the body stripped off and turned into a Special.

In the 1970s much was made of solving corrosion problems by replacement with fibreglass. AOC Bulletin 233 has a seemingly innocuous announcement on page 4.

‘We hear from David Michie that Red Triangle are now able to supply front and rear wings and body sills in fibreglass for the TA 14, TA 21 and TC 21.’ so check carefully in case some of them are still around.

Staying with the 1970s there is an entertaining and informative Article by TA 14 owner Tony Cox. A taster is set out below but the full Article can be found in Bulletin 232, March 1973, pages 2-3.

‘Even the least inquisitive variety of TA 14 owner will probably have noticed just below the carburetor a remarkable contrivance of springs and levers reminiscent of an Emmett mousetrap. It’s purpose is at first sight obscure, and bafflement usually becomes total when it is discovered that the only dashboard control to which this mechanical hallucination is connected is the ignition switch – not by an electric wire as one might expect, but by a Bowden Cable! At this point the temptation to throw out this obviously non original bodge-up in it’s entirety is almost overpowering. However, some diligent research by a hand-picked team of retired archaeologists has resulted in the deciphering of a number of ancient scrolls known as the ‘Alvis Service Data Sheets’, which show that not only is this machinery an original Alvis fitting

(or at least an original Alvis afterthought), but it also has a name – the Afterburn Eliminator.’

Tony goes on to explain that this of course has nothing to do with afterburners on jet aircraft!

Some more recent owners may now pause in bafflement as the contraption was frequently taken out or disconnected by earlier owners.

For those interested in Coachbuilders, Amazon are selling new and used copies of the ‘A to Z of British Coachbuilders 1919 to 1960’, by the late Nick Walker, past Chairman of the Alvis Owner Club. Nick was eminently placed to write this book with his vast knowledge of the topic.

Finally I may be the last person on the planet to discover and recommend the hugely entertaining programmme, ‘Shed and Buried’, currently showing mid evening during the week on The Travel Channel on Freeview. A delightful show whereby, 2 very knowledgeable Motor Bike and old machinery enthusiasts, visit the owners of vast quantities of motor bikes, cars and mechanically related stuff. They go through the barns and piles of old ‘material’, haggle for something(s) and then go back to Oxfordshire to restore and sell. So far no Fourteens but you never know. By the looks of the photos, on the Anglia Car Auction  site, the TA 14 Utility and Crested Eagle might have been Candidates for the Show!

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Tickford DHC, chassis 22204, KGC 539 was the winner of the Post War Driving Tests this year at East Anglian Alvis Day. Less obvious to Spectators is that she is virtually certain to have been the cherished car of the Assistant Director of the Solar Physics Observatory, Cambridge, German Professor Dr Harald von Klueber and his wife. Dr von Klueber had been a student of Einstein. After the arrival of the Russians in Potsdam Dr and Mrs von Klueber escaped to the West taking only items they could carry in their suitcases. His specialization was solar physics, quite topical recently. Notable was his success in obtaining Fabry-Perot interferograms of the solar corona at eclipses in the light of individual coronal lines. This was something that had defeated previous investigators. The car was very reluctantly advertised for sale on the 1st October 1970 before they returned to Germany. His obituary in 1978 stated. ‘Always interested in motor cars his especial pride in Cambridge was an open tourer which he and Mrs von Klueber treated with loving care.

The TA 14 racing car, chassis 20528 is only ever depicted in Black and White photographs. In reality looking at the photos in Gallery 1 you should imagine the car in it’s true colour of yellow for Belgian racing drivers.

Finland Car, 22035. Maroon with a Fawn Hood HDU 880 now AA 711. Showed up in a photo around 2015. She left the Factory 16/07/1948 and is LHD. Her claim to fame was that she was the only Fourteen Factory delivered to Finland.
After her original owner we show her as being owned by Mr von Namers, Helsinki, then Mr A. Laitenen.
One of the most heavily specified Carbodies ever produced. She left for Finland in 1948 with an Alvis Chain Tensioner fitted (as many were at that time), 8 bladed fan, kilometre speedometer, continental lighting, 2 Vokers rectifiers, twin carburettors, laminated screen, heater and defroster, fog lamp, spot lamp to be controlled from the Driver’s seat, Kaigors Windscreen Wipers, 1 extra spare wheel, loose spare wheel fitted. She was ordered by Mr Sven Sandholm who must have been well off to have a Fourteen delivered as new.
In 1979, the then owner in Helsinki was advertising for headlamps, rear numberplate box, fog lamps, horn trumpets and information about Body mounting details.

We are looking for a car last seen in the 1960s in Hertfordshire.
Chassis 21470, a Black Saloon. In the 1960s her owner could not find a suitable replacement so sent her back to Alvis for a complete refit. Then passed her to his son and then his son. Is she still with the family? She was taxed this summer.

An essential for any Fourteen owner is the Catalogue of Spare Parts, copies still sold by Red Triangle.
Less known are the Amendments that make interesting reading!

Amendment No.1 shows prices.

Part No. C2170: Cylinder block and crankcase with studs, bearing caps and core plugs-for engines up to 21699- £68 10s 0d

As above but for engines from 21700, same price.

A copy of the 6 page document can now be found under Technical Data.

A very original white TB 14 is coming up for sale chassis 23582. This car was at the International Alvis Weekend 2016. Offers are invited over £30k and this Model is increasingly being sort after all over the world. I can pass enquiries onto the owner.

I now have a copy of the small supplementary TB 14 Manual and this can be sent out electronically or as a paper copy. Not very large but very useful in highlighting differences from the TA 14s

When looking through books about Classic Cars in a bookshop, you never know what you may find. Imagine 2 photos falling from a book and them being of a TB 14! Even better, the finder then making the effort to contact us with copies of the photos. The car is chassis 23559, MFM 563 and lived at 1 Shrewsbury House, Cheyne Walk, London S.W.3. For those in the know this was Chelsea in the Swinging Sixties! It appears that these photos were taken there at the Mansion block. The car was last heard of in California in Huntington Beach in 2004 and was to be restored.
An added bonus is that the finder specializes in Classic Oils plus polishes and details can be found under the new Category in Suppliers and Services, Oils and Lubricants.

30% of Alvis fourteens were sold as chassis only. The TA 14 was the last model produced that could be purchased in chassis form only.
Possibly some of the bodies produced by less experienced ‘Coachbuilders’ played a part in this decision. Also there was not the difficulty in keeping up with chassis production and fitting appropriate bodies.

Following last month’s contribution to save on the costs of exhaust replacement we now have information to keep the costs down when replacing a bottom hose.

‘My local car accessory shop had a selection of hose, which comes in 1 metre lengths – which is obviously much more than anyone would need, but they’re willing to sell you a length and refund you for what you bring back!
As near as I could gauge it, the original was 2″ exterior, but of course all modern hose is (a) metric size and (b) sold on the Internal diameter, which I had no way of assessing.
Anyway, I took a guess and was spot on first time! What TA owners need is marked ’47 x 38′, which is the external x internal diameter measurement in mm. – and I needed a mighty 4″/100mm. of it, for which I was charged a mighty £1.20!
The car is now Continent again and leak free. The old hose was properly perished and disintegrated under a bit of screwdriver leverage!’ What a bargain.

Chassis 21905, JYF 58 has a very sad photo of her demise in Gallery 1. Smashed into by a ‘Senior Service’ cigarette delivery lorry, that came off worse. She is the only known TA 14 to have worked for the Ambulance Service. The information can be seen on the driver’s door where a panel has been ripped off. She was a W.H.Gaze and Sons woodie.

Straying slightly off message but a happy ending story.
This TB 21 has been stored under an Australian House for 47 years following an accident. The good news is that it has now been acquired by an ace TB14/TB 21 restorer and is to be restored.

For those that are Google eyed locate the site – pricecat.co.uk – and then search ‘Alvis  TA 14’ to find an interesting choice of items for sale. As an example this month includes the following:

2 wheels with old Crossply tyres. £10.

Radiator Grill Insert, £35 plus £12 p&p.

Front Bumper £7

Front wing, nearside ££99 plus £20 p&p.

Spare Wheel Cover £120 plus £30 p&p.

Original style Driver’s Manual £140 plus £4.50 p&p.

J&M Models, quite a selection of individual Models, Mulliners and Duncans. Price circa £100.

Ken Day’s Definitive reference book on Alvis, 1st Edition £75 plus £4.50 p&p.

Various other items including Books, Articles, Photos, smaller spare parts.

Now something of motoring history, maybe for the next Pub Quiz. Do you know the identity of the person who has the unfortunate claim to be the first person killed in the world in a motoring accident? Not a young man racing at speed but an acclaimed female academic, Mary Ward, grandmother to the 7th Viscount Bangor. In 1869 she was thrown from her cousin’s experimental steam driven car and died at the scene. The link to Alvis is that her grandson drove a borrowed TB 14 around America.

Happy Motoring.

Postscript

Sadly I must report that we have lost giant in the Alvis World.
Bo Henrysson and his late wife Gerd were Mr and Mrs Alvis of Sweden. First line of his address was given as ‘Alvis Hill’. Sadly Bo passed away on the 3rd August.
His passion for Alvis Cars enthused his family. He owned a 12/50, Speed 25, TA 14, 2 TB 14s, TA 21, TB 21 and 2 TDs. His dynasty linked to Alvis has continued through to Ronny who is an AOC Member and his son David who at the age of 21 is the Chairman of the Swedish Alvis Club.

Our thoughts are with Ronny and the family at this sad time.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Long before the name of Alvis was a gleam in T.G. John’s eye, the world of British Motor Racing was born.
Probably if the question was asked in a Pub Quiz, many would submit the name of Brooklands but they would be wrong.
In May 1902, cars hurtled along the Bicycle Boulevard, De La Warr Parade at of all places Bexhill upon Sea.
The 8th Earl De La Warr, Chairman of Dunlop had got together with the RAC’s predecessor organization and thousands attended the event with over 200 entries.
Cars hurtled down the straight in time trials and even more terrifying would have been the sight of 2 cars racing side by side, some 8/9 litre Leviathans. The age was also somewhat before ‘Health and Safety!
Another first was achieved by the first French Motor Racing Victory on British Soil, no doubt doing little for entente cordiale!
Earl De La Warr had plans to develop a large race track outside the town but the plans came to nought. Motor Racing moved to Brooklands in 1907.
The RAC approved the designation of Bexhill as the home of British Motor Racing after extensive research by Brian Hazell. For further reading, Google Bexhill Motor Racing and there are some lovely photos of the event courtesy of Alastair Hazell.
So when musing over the exploits of the TA 14 Racing Car at Le Mans, remember, the link goes back to Bexhill on Sea.
More next month.

Fourteens were exported all over the world when they were new but only one had the honour of being the one exported to Finland.
More next month.

As a postscript to the reemerging of the Carbodies Drophead in India, an AOC Member recalled seeing the car in India in 1969 and talking to the previous owner and next month there will be photos to prove it!

OPU 438, chassis 22302, Tickford Dhc., mentioned last month has been snapped up and we look forward to seeing her with her new owner.

The bargain complete Tickford for sale for £6000 has also been snapped up and moved to Wales.

The mostly restored TB 14 has also sold but for anyone who missed her, there is a running and part restored one in Germany that could be available to discuss with seriously interested parties.

A very interesting Utility, Coachbuilder unknown, is soon going to come up for sale, chassis 21954, CRS 788.
Formerly owned by the late Tom Poole, it is believed to be the only car he ever sold. A gentleman was over from Tennessee some years ago buying up Morgan spare parts to take them back to the USA. He needed a car to collect up the spares and ship them. He bought this car and duly shipped the spares back. She (Tilly) then passed through the hands of several owners before returning to the U.K. Must have had some interesting experiences.
She is a very attractive and unusual Utility with a narrow back and predominance of glass, absolutely oozing 1940s style, a real headturner. Photos will be be available on Gallery 1 very shortly. She is a complete running car but would benefit from some more restoration.

The gentleman looking for a TA 14, as mentioned last month, has been beguiled by a 3 litre and acquired the next Model on, a Tickford TA 21, next best thing to a Fourteen! There is a very interesting Article in AOC Bulletin 398 showing the development of the TA 21 from the TA 14.

For those who wish to expand their stable into 3 litres there is a very nice one that has just now become available. SNW 9, Chassis 25100 is the first of the 100 series and is described as being ‘surprisingly quick’ and similar in performance to a TC 21. I can send photos and put you in touch should you want to talk with the owner.

The Alvis Archive Trust is now actively seeking material for it’s new premises, details on the main site, alvisarchive.com. Should you have interesting Memorabilia make contact with them to see if it is of interest. The Trustees are working to transfer material and it should soon become a very interesting place to visit.
For those who have not bought the disc or stick of all the old Bulletins and programmes up until recent times now is the time to do so. For an Alvis Owner Club Member you can receive the disc for a minimum donation of £25 or otherwise £50 to become a Friend of the Archive Trust. Your computer must be capable of reading a dual layer DVD, otherwise a USB memory stick can be supplied instead for an extra £10. You can use the index on this site. Also Adobe reader (free download) enables you to read the contents and search for specific items using shift+ctrl+F. Can take about an hour. Well that’s it for the tech bit!

A Jack Hawkins film features a Tickford with the number plate LPL 271. This plate is not known to us but could have been put on the car for filming. Unfortunately the film has been taken off the ‘you tube’ site as posting it up had infringed copyright. Will be interesting to see the film when located else where. The name is ‘She played with Fire’ but also called ‘Fortune is a Woman’.

Another potential Pub Quiz question would be how many Alvis Cars are estimated to still exist? See the end for the answer, maybe more than you think and they are still emerging.

Out of the blue we have information relating to a Mulliners TA 14 that had disappeared from sight nearly 70 years ago. The car is chassis 23722 and has the unusual numberplate of FF 7788, not transferable. 7788 is a good Poker hand. Evidently the car was owned by a professional gambler who arranged a garage for the car and paid the first month’s rent. He then disappeared over 30 years ago. Not Lord Lucan as far as we know. The car was last taxed in 1973. The car is in pieces and in very urgent need of a new home.

Next time you look at your sump or spare sump, see if there is a counter take off point on the nearside adjacent to the oil pump. Should you find this on a TA 14 then you have one that was made for a TB 14 that may be sought after by the owner’s of TB 14s and be somewhat more valuable.

When Factory Records were completed for our cars, many of them, including Carbodies and Mulliners showed the body number given by the Coachbuilders. Unfortunately this was not done for most of the other cars including Tickfords. We are trying to fill in as many blanks as we can so if you have a Tickford please check the body number and let me know. It will be a 4 digit number starting with 2. There is an even bigger complication in that the body numbers did not run sequentially just for Alvis but were mixed up with the other cars bodied by Tickford. The numbers were stamped on the rear of the original pram irons, written on the wood behind the dashboard and also on the back of each piece of wood trim. When checking the wooden trim pieces it is important to check two pieces of wood at least as there are instances where the wrong piece of trim was used, for whatever reason, all those years ago. Well it beats train spotting!

Fewer people fettle their own cars these days to the degree that it was done years ago. Many of our spares can be quite expensive so a description of exhaust system fettling has been quite inspirational. The recent action report below, with the permission of the author, is unedited to ensure the full experience is conveyed!

‘Adapting Toyota Yaris downpipe and front silencer box into Alvis TA14 second silencer box and tailpipe

I got the exhaust parts from EU Car parts and Exhaust Distributors (Cambridge Branch).
The part number is TY617.
It is a Yaris 13VVTI 16V HB 5/02-12/05
(All the above figures and part numbers taken from the sales invoice.)

So that’s The Ingredients…..
The Method involves two blokes, a fair amount of standing about and some head scratching.

(Tea may be drunk throughout…….)

First, measure carefully.

Twice.

Offering up the new part to the existing old part which has been hung back on the car gives the best clue as to where to make the first cut.

You need to cut off the Yaris manifold flange and the curved part of the downpipe (some 4 – 6 inches…. this may vary from car to car….) and throw it over your shoulder into the long grass.

Now get a socket of appropriate size and, using some percussion engineering, (put the socket in the pipe and hit it several times very hard with a hammer), spread the short end of tube the other side of the silencer box to which you have just made the cut to accept a joining piece that will go inside the new section and inside the old section (still sound on my car…… if you need a full system, then more research and experimental work is required.)

It’s handy to have some straight tube of the right dimensions in stock.

If you don’t, either go and beg a bit from the scrap bins at your friendly local Exhaust fitters (it’s amazing how helpful some people are when what you are trying to do is explained thoroughly and politely….), or go to a steel stockholder and see what they can do (interior and exterior measurements essential so add ‘vernier caliper’ to the tool roll if you can’t face turning up with the various bits and stuffing bits of pipe on until you find one that fits……)

You now need a lot of heat. a strong, firmly mounted bench vice and a long lever.

We used a Bernzomatic gas torch for heat and, with the new part firmly held in a Record Fitter’s Vice, heated the appropriate bends up to cherry red, then levered the exhaust to where we thought it ought to be by stuffing a four foot trolley jack handle down it and tweaking gently.

This was done in two stages, with different bends getting the treatment each time.

Drink tea for a while at this point: The modified part will now be at the “effin’ ‘ot” end of the temperature spectrum and should be left to cool until safe to handle.

Here, a combination of luck and skill (the reader can supply their own ratios here…..) resulted in us getting it to line up perfectly when offered up to the car first go!

It doesn’t need that much!

The tailpipe was then fabricated from a length of straight stainless tube that we had been keeping because “it would come in useful one day”.

If you don’t have any of this, then refer back to previous comments regarding scrap bins and stockholders.

Two things to bear in mind: you will need to cut 3-4 inches off the pipe exiting the first silencer box on the TA14 side of the system to bring the Yaris silencer box away from the rear axle/diff. You will need to insert a joining piece here too.

Make your own measurements and line it all up carefully by sight , comparing it with the original back box and tailpipe, before cutting anything…..

Also we used pipe of closely fitting interior and exterior diameters throughout,, so when bolted up using exhaust clamps and a healthy dose of silicon sealer on all slip joints, it was gas tight when we ran the engine.

So it can be done…..

If attempting this yourself, remember this is just a guide: you will need to make your own measurements as no two TA14s are the same and your exhaust may have been “modified” (see also ‘bodged’ ,’buggered about’ etc ) to accept different modern parts previously.

When buying the Yaris part, I turned up at the Exhaust factors with the TA14 bit under my arm on a quiet Saturday afternoon. (Crucial this – go when they’re rushed off their feet with Trade enquiries and you’re bound to get very short shrift indeed…..) and wandered around the warehouse with the guy until we found a section that looked like it might fit, as indeed it did.

Use the Yaris part number as a starting point but be prepared to adapt and improvise.

If you think this all seems like a lot of hard work, then consider that a well known and respected bespoke exhaust supplier quoted me £700 plus Vat at 20% and carriage for a full TA14 system in stainless.

A whisker under £50 to get FFU 297 MOT-worthy in the exhaust department plus a day’s worth of sodding about seemed a good deal.

It’s all part of the fun!’

For more descriptions of the restoration project of chassis 22814 use a search engine to go to WB Pippin Alvis and read much more. The highs and lows of the restoration.

Finally as we enjoy the delights of the summer with our cars the following puts into words the enjoyment of Fourteen ownership, in this case a Fourteen Special that you may see on the Liskeard Peninsula having fun roaring around the country roads.

My jolly Alvis

You can reckon on an Alvis to be a jolly car
There are many other lesser makes that never get that far,
I’ve had my jolly Alvis for more that I can say
I had had hair, and younger, when it bore the light of day.
You could say it was my hobby, to keep it on the road,
But people in my village now, just think of me as Toad.

My Alvis is a special, and Alvis through and through
It’s only made of Alvis bits as only Alvis do,
It’s open and it’s airey , as specials tend to be,
It’s practical and cheerful and all designed by me.
I’m sure Mr Johns would like it, if he could take the wheel,
Solid engineering quality, that comes out in the feel.

For years it’s been our family hack, and taken kids to school,
Many trials and competitions and casual is the rule,
We call her Aunty Alvis, she’s always been around,
Pulling trailers full of muck or seaweed, logs, boats or anything else we’ve found,
A sunny day with her ears pricked, we’ll speed the lanes for miles,
Then return to her stable, with the driver full of smiles.

I wrestle as we all do, with the mounting cost of spares,
Some R.T. bits are such a price they bring me more grey hairs,
But Alvises are strongly made, and go from year to year,
No wonder they make tanks now , and other battle gear !
‘Running Restoration’ is the trendy catch these days,
We put things off, but lots to do in many different ways.

I use old Aunty Alvis as often as I can,
It helps to keep things going,… and not going down the pan !
The trouble is the driver is getting older too –
Modern traffic is a nightmare, not like when the car was new,
I wave my arms at junctions, but no-one seems to care,
They think, ‘ Oh silly bugger’, and all they do is stare !

I’ve been a member of our club since 1972,
The Bulletin and Pink’un I always read right through.
We gather now on SWAD. Days, to meet our friends and chat,
Swop stories and experiences and…. acting like a prat !
We all uphold the Alvis make and honour Alvis gear….
Then drive off homeward with a smile, until another year.

Rob Moor

The answer to the question above. It is believed to be 4791. Do you know where 4792 is?

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

The picture of the Woodie last month has created considerable interest.
The location has been identified as being next to the ‘Coat of Arms Bridge’, Stivichall, Coventry, Warwickshire. For those who wish to visit, the Postcode is CV3 6PY. Maybe you recognize the car and she can go back? She may well have had the publicity photo taken before or after she was checked for her Guarantee.
Should you visit Coventry you could take a look at ‘Alvis House’, Manor House, Drive in the City Centre, what an address.

Look after your original style TA 14 Driver’s Manual. An original is currently advertised for £140. For those needing a replacement or spare, copies can be purchased from Red Triangle, parts@redtriangle.co.uk

The news that The Alvis Car Company is offering to build another continuation Model on the lines of the 1966 Graber bodied TF 21 is news that has been most interesting. No sign of the offer relating to TA/TB 14s but no doubt if you win the lottery they might be persuaded if there are any unused chassis numbers.

The 2 Fourteens, Carbodies, chassis 22094 and Mulliners, chassis 21076, both owned by the late Geoff Stobart, have found new homes, following their Auction on the General Election Day. Unsurprisingly this news was overshadowed in the National News. The Carbodies Drophead, with the delightful name of Persephone, (The Greek Goddess of Spring), sold for £5500 plus 10%. The Mulliners Saloon, with the interesting description that you would not be worried about parking in the Supermarket Car Park, sold for £4070 plus 10%. As far as is known the latter does not bear the name Persephone’s husband Hades!

For those looking for a Special with not too much work to be done to finish off, Car and Classic is showing one that has recently become available. The advert says most of the hard work has been done and the price asked is only £68 000.

Tickfords are now coming along like buses! Once almost Hens’ teeth,  on Car and Classic several are Tickfords so never a better time.
One interesting Tickford for sale is the well known car OPU 438, chassis 22302, once in the long term ownership of the Deputy Chairman of the Alvis Owner Club.

I have a prospective purchaser seeking to acquire a good running Tickford so contact me should you be thinking of passing your Tickford TA 14 onto a good new home. TA 21 & TC 21s would also be considered.

On the main Alvis Archive Trust site, alvisarchive.com there is the information about the 20th Anniversary of the revived Tickford Owners Club in Coventry on the 23rd July. Tickford bodied Alvis would be made most welcome.

A Carbodies is coming on the market soon and sounds very nice. Likely price to be in the region of £20 000.

It is possible that a Knibbs bodied car may be coming up for sale in Cornwall in the near future together with a quantity of Spares. The car requires restoration but is only 1 of 2 Knibbs bodied cars known to be left so a very attractive project.

For those not contemplating buying one of the above a model might be tempting. Whilst there seem to be plenty of Duncan Models for sale, not so many Saloons and Dropheads and the prices are creeping up. About £120 quoted for Mulliners in a choice of colours. Use a search Engine such as Google and you will see that some J &M models are currently available for 1/2 price.

We are still trying to track down 2 Tickfords, probably still in Western Europe. They are chassis 22301, now 42 A 86 and 23160 1 0AI 882 so should be grateful if anyone knows their current whereabouts?

When one has one’s Fourteen tucked up in the Garage it is important to keep the surroundings up to scratch
A product ‘Wet and Forget’ seems to get very good press, good enough for super yachts and designed to do away with Mould and keep it away. Useful on drives but can also be used on hoods and tonneau covers. Must be kept away from Decals.

Excellent to be able to get updates on 2 cars that were out of action. Chassis 22614 is now in a Cornish Garage and was once owned by a prominent Cornish Business Man, Simon Hendra. The name may ring a bell as his son  is the youngest ever Antique Specialist on The Antiques Roadshow. Whilst researching that car, a ‘thread’ took me to the poignant story about ‘Walnut’ the Whippet who single pawed rejuvenated the Newquay tourist industry. Walnut’s owner put out an online request for people and their dogs to be out on Newquay Beach for Walnut’s last walk. Needless to say it went viral with Media interest from all over the world and plenty of friends for Walnut’s last beach walk. Nothing to do with Alvis but Google for the full story and defy anyone not to have a lump in their throat.

Sadly must report that long term Alvis Owner, Tom Poole passed away recently and his funeral service has taken place. 
Tom owned a Tickford, chassis 22204, that is being rejuvenated. 
He owned several types of Alvis including a smooth-sided TA 14 Estate by an unknown Coachbuilder. An American was over here collecting Morgan Spares and needed a vehicle to take them back to the States. She returned in 1995 and is now living in Berkshire. According to Tom this was the only car he ever sold.
Tom was also well known for his popular East Anglian Jazz Days.
We have lost a character and our thoughts and condolences go to his daughters, Alison- and Joanna who is in a long term coma following a motor accident last year.

Before the June Post we shall know the identity of the next Government of Great Britain. One lesser known fact relating to June 8th is that hopefully 2 TA 14s will have found new homes on that Day. The Dorset Auction House DVCA, email Brian Chant at brc@dvca.co.uk for details, has 2 for Auction at very competitive guide prices particularly for the Carbodies Drophead. Both cars have been with their former owner in Cornwall for the majority of their lives but sadly they must now move on.
Mulliners Saloon, chassis 21046 is declared as a 1947 car. She has the engine from chassis 20710 and a declared mileage of 70031, that may of course be around the clock. She was with the late Geoff Stobart in Cornwall since 1958, almost 60 years so lovely if she can find a kind new home. Many cars in such long ownership tend to remain quite original. Her Guide price is £4000-£5000. Plenty of photos on the Auction House site.

The second TA 14 for sale on June 8th is the pale green Carbodies Drophead Coupe that also belonged to Geoff Stobart. Geoff and Joan were stalwarts of the West Country Section of the Alvis Owner Club. The Edgecumbe Arms, Milton Abbott and even the legendary Jamaica Inn were graced by the Stobart TA 14s. Geoff was a Member of The Alvis Owner Club since the early 1960s and owned this car since 1962. His obituary was printed in the March/April 2017 AOC Bulletin No. 564. Very sadly Joan his widow recently passed away at the age of 93.
Geoff’s Carbodies, chassis 22094, engine 23318, has a declared mileage of 78871 but again that may be around the clock. The guide price of £5000/£6000 seems very competitive and a good opportunity to acquire a good Fourteen Drophead to restore. For those who appreciate American cars, Geoff’s red 1964 Cadillac convertible is also for sale at the same Auction.

The details of the Auction were sent from England to an Alvis owner in New Zealand who very kindly forwarded them on. The global Internet can be brilliant for the old car world.

Another example of global assistance comes in the form of the search for a Tickford Drophead. The search has come from the owner of the car in the 1960s and initially our records drew a blank on the numberplate KLE 746. With the assistance of the Archive Trust Motoring Historian the chassis number 22301 was identified and then our American Alvis Guru confirmed the 2014 advert for sale to save waiting for a visit home. So now if you own, or know of the whereabouts of 42 A 86 please get in touch otherwise the search will be ongoing in June. The good news for the former owner is that the car was offered for sale in 2014 for 60 000 dollars and appears to be in very good condition. She is 2 tone red and cream with tan hood and interior.

I was going to report on the availability of a very tidy Mulliners  but she has been snapped up before being advertised and went off to a new life in Scotland. There has been bit of a dearth of Fourteens coming onto the market recently but now there is quite a choice for prospective owners.

Car and Classic has a new entry for the Auction of a nice looking Carbodies on the 2nd June, chassis 22830, JPW 835. Guide price is £15/17k plus of course buyer’s premium at 15%.

Added to the above Car and Classic is advertising a Tickford for sale that has been stored in a dry garage since 1973 and with the same family since the 1960s. With only about 77 made at about £6k this is a great opportunity to acquire a restoration project.

It really is a good time to buy a Drophead at the moment.

Finally not to forget the Mulliners Saloon that has been part restored in Sweden near Stockholm to a really high standard. Price is negotiable and the only sea crossing necessary to bring her back is across the Channel, the rest of the trip from West of Stockholm is on very good roads.

A visit to The Herbert Museum in Coventry produced some interesting and useful information. Unfortunately the Museum is currently very short staffed and anyone wishing to carry out research may have to wait until staff numbers increase. The TA 14/TB 14 box file had gone missing but hopefully will be found in due course.

There was a fascinating map showing the Luftwaffe’s bombing plan for Coventry. It is later than the Coventry Blitz on the night of the 14th/15th of Coventry when one Alvis Factory was obliterated and the Cathedral almost destroyed. Copies of the full size map can be purchased from The Herbert Museum Coventry.

Main factory aerial view

Location of factory

The later box file for the TA 21 had some TA 14 photos misfiled and one lovely professional photo of a Woodie is below, who is she?

Not content with voyaging to Uruguay to deliver the Nave Plate, our intrepid enthusiast is now in possession of the 2 headlamp rings and glasses ready for his next trip out. Members of the AOC should by now have enjoyed his Article about his first trip in the latest AOC Bulletin, May/June 2017, Bulletin 565.

There is no stopping the global village of Fourteens.
The latest copy of The Alvis Owner Club Bulletin shows a new Member joining from India with a Carbodies Drophead. Chassis 22987 was indeed exported to India in 1949 and has survived looking pretty good to this day, see her on Gallery 2. Can you imagine driving around Mumbai in a TA 14?
Her current owner, since 1971, knows her history from 1956 and it is believed that her original owner may have been a Bollywood Star.
Another theory is the following:

Two TB 14s were exported to Mandinalla Motor Car Company of Karachi.
Mandinalla is also sometimes represented as Mandi Nalla a province of Bhopal 1934 the Rajah of Bhopal took delivery of a late SB Vanden Plas SB Speed 20 Drophead Alvis, chassis 11856, never U.K. Registered as far as we know. Is it possible he liked it so much he purchased a new Alvis Drophead after the war? Maybe a friend saw the car and decided to buy a new Alvis, more research to do.

For those who don’t rate TA 14 Specials as desirable cars, a recent trip in a 4 seater Special around the winding roads of Cornwall demonstrated just how much fun they can be. This one was constructed from the base of a Mulliners Saloon over 40 years ago and has preserved much of the car that would have been long gone otherwise. With the usual adaptation to twin carbs and improved back axle the car was very spirited but retained that unique Fourteen sound.

Plenty of Spares still remain to be inspected and purchased in Norfolk from the TA 14 Technical Advisor, details in The AOC Bulletin or send me an email. Also there may be a cache of Fourteen Spares becoming available in Cornwall.

Finally go to the main Alvis Archive site on alvisarchive.com to see 2 items of interest to us all:

The Trust has signed a lease for accommodation at Bowcliffe Hall, between Leeds & York. This will allow for Alvis Memorabilia etc. to be stored in one place. Later this year, by prior appointment this collection may be visited.

The Trust has applied for Charitable Status.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com