Alvis Fourteen

As our cars look to venture forth, many just on Sunny days for short jaunts, twas not ever thus.

The 1954-55 AOC Membership Year Book declares a time when Fourteens were out mixing it with the best!

On the 7th/8th May 1955 ‘A Night Rally was held. The Bentley Drivers Club and The Lagonda Club were invited and 17 cars took part. The weather was terrible for most of the night but even so it was a most enjoyable ‘do’. The start was from the Hodder Bridge Hotel near Clitheroe following a route of about 150 miles through the Lake District and back to the Hodder Bridge Hotel for Breakfast. Out of this group of fine motor cars a certain Mr H.P. Allen came 3rd in his TB 14, chassis 23517, NHT 11. 4th was a Bentley and 5th a Speed 20- shame. Sadly we have no idea what happened to the TB 14, Mr Allen moved on to a TC 21/100 after a few years and then left the Alvis Owner Club in the 1960s.

  Arthur Varney’s registration of an Austin 1200 might have had something to do with Alex Issigonis at Alvis.  After he designed the Morris Minor he had a spell at Alvis and designed a car with a  2.5 litre V8 engine.  A prototype was built, if OJO 697 was registered around the same period, and if Austin and Morris had joined forces by that time, then it just might be a lead worth following? the following has the best provenance possible from a Senior Alvis Executive.

 ‘On the day that the Austin (or Morris) 1100 was announced, there was a flurry of activity at Alvis, with orders for the maintenance department to completely destroy the prototype car.   (One of the apprentices wanted to liberate a completely standard Laycock overdrive unit on the vehicle, but that too was cut in half with a blow torch.  It was he that told me the story, which must have happened in 1962 or 1963.)  Apparently when Issigonis left Alvis he took with him some intellectual property rights and Alvis should have destroyed the car at that time.  I understand that the interconnected suspension on the 1100 (which was announced with a great fanfare, as an amazing innovation) was included in the Alvis prototype.  A very large roll of drawings (always referred to as “Issigonis”) survived well into the 1980s, in the corner of Alan Russell’s office, when he was a Chief Designer and a V8 cylinder block lurked in the basement some time after 1970.’

As the Fourteen related indexing of old Bulletins continues slowly but surely the indices will soon be updated and there is more useful information that you can put your hands on via old Bulletins, either paper or electronic, see Articles Index. A reminder to those who still do not have access to this wealth of informed knowledge is that for the modest sum of about £30 it can still be acquired in stick or disc form. Go to the main Alvis Archive Trust site alvisarchive.com for details. As a postscript, in Bulletin 403, you can find an index to technical Articles written between May 1978 and April 1992. Many may not relate specifically to Fourteens but may cover similar topics to those where information is required and not immediately sourced by reference to the Fourteen Articles schedule.

 For those with a Special interest in the Mulliners Saloon the Article on pages 12-16 of Bulletin 401, April 1992 makes fascinating reading. Written by a gentleman who joined the drawing office there in July 1946 he takes you back through the early design origins of the Mulliners TA 14 body as he was told by those who were there at the time. He follows with his own experiences.

The car design below is his entry for an International Competition organized by the British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers. He won first prize in that competition for his 1948 design for a Saloon body for a TA 14 chassis. Very interesting to look at how he modernized the design but not sure about the radiator although the TB 14 prototype without the Alvis radiator was around then. Does anyone fancy putting it on a spare Fourteen chassis?

Despite not putting the design into production he did design the Estate bodies  for Riverlee of Birmingham in 1948/1949.

  Despite the above the very first car on our chassis run was 23500 with a Charlesworth body from Charlesworth Bodies (1931) Ltd., Coachbuilders of Much Park Street, Coventry. Sadly on the 14th November 1940 it was oil bombed along with the Radcliffe Daimler Works and Coventry Cathedral. It goes without saying that was also the night The Alvis was also hit. The drawings below give a flavour of the Charlesworth site as it was before obliteration.

 Sometimes some of us might just be accused of being a little anthropomorphic but yes a family tree does exist for our cars.

Whilst there is a lot in common with the dignified Crested Eagle, our descent shows us following the lineage from the Silver Eagle through the 12/70 and onto the TA 14. Thereafter all the three litres lead through this line.

 For those seeking a Drophead now that Spring is here there is a smart one for sale with Kranz Old Timer in Germany. She is chassis 23249, original English registration was KYX 743, now 26-PT-01. Looks like the car has been restored and is two tone black and white with blue trim and black hood. The seats are not trimmed as Tickford and it is not easy to see whether the hood is lined. The back window is certainly wrong. Go to http://www.oldtimerservice.kranz.de to see more information and photos. The asking price asked is 52500 euros, the boys and girls are going up in price.

 They also have chassis 22069 ex Mulliners Saloon and now a Special. She was originally GFS 878, also KSL 410 and now GEL TA 14H.

She was for sale last year on EBay. Current asking price 20000 Euros. Shame I still have 2 people looking for Mulliners Saloons!

 For those contemplating a car purchase the following words by John Ruskin may give guidance.

 ‘it’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money. That is all.

When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and obtaining a lot. It cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run.

And if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.’

Wise words from the 19 Century.

 Another ‘Celebrity’ TA 14 owner is highlighted in an Article in Bulletin 410, 1993 by John Price Williams.

Frank Wootton OBE has been described as possibly the finest aviation Artist ever and he was also a designer for Alvis on fighting vehicles.

His brother was the manager at Caffyns of Eastbourne, this may have influenced the choice of car but more likely he was sold by the quality.

The Mulliners Saloon was chassis 23126, a Mulliners Saloon, body no. M1345, registration EPM 474.

John writes:

 ‘On one of the occasions on which Mr Wootton was asked by Rolls- Royce to picture a car for their brochure, he made an unusual suggestion. Rather than be paid for the commission, he told them. ‘I’ll paint your Rolls if you paint my Alvis’.

The Rolls was brought down to Sussex and the Fourteen taken back to Crewe. It returned with an immaculate finish. Has it stood the test of time?

To answer that we sadly have no record of the car since Mr Wootton’s ownership. Does she lie gleaming in some darkened garage?

 ‘Alvis-The PostWar Cars’ by John Price Williams is a highly recommended addition to the bookcase of any Alvis enthusiast.

 Anyone already in Oz or contemplating a trip down under will have another great tourist attraction to add to their list. The recently opened Gosford Classic Car Museum in Queensland is described as one of the top 5 Motor Museums in the world. It is the largest private car collection in the world. It also houses ‘Marilyn’, no not that one! The beautiful pale blue TB 14, chassis 23509, has been recently restored and now she ‘is a highlight in the Museum’. Whose a Marmite Car now then? The Museum houses 450 cars in a former retail warehouse comprising 11 000 sq. metres. The current value is about 75 million Australian dollars. For more details of the Museum use Google or another search engine.

 Finally for those in the Alvis Owner Club there is an interesting and unusual Article coming up in a future Bulletin. A Club Member recently travelled to visit the ‘Last Alvis in Uruguay, (sounds like the title of a film) the Mulliners TA 14, chassis 21697. Needless to say they do things a little differently in Uruguay!

 eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

This Cartoon by ‘Apsley’, links a rather charming typo with a lovely Drawing from 1997, just right to bring out again for Easter. Who has not seen that look from their Fourteen!

 As the Motoring Season starts in earnest there are 2 separate enquirers each actively seeking a Fourteen Saloon. Should anyone be thinking about parting with their friend let me know and I can put you in touch.

 Those to be enticed into Alvis ownership would have had temptation put in their way at the 1947 Ostend Concours. See Publications. The Belgium TB 14 forerunner looking very stylish for the early post war years whilst the 1st Carbodies conveyed the prewar styling and solidity of the Alvis Marque. For the latter it is fitting to note that she is still going strong! It is not known whether either car participated in the record breaking Jabbeke-Aeltre standing speed test route. One for future sleuths.

The Carbodies featured above also played a prominent role in Alvis Advertising. Interesting to note the subtle changes made to the drawings as shown under Gallery 1 chassis 20599.

 For people wanting to check up on the initial history of their car, a good place to go to is The Kithead Trust, Droitwich. Many initial registration records for our cars are to be found there. Googling their name will take you to a very clear well laid out site that will take you through the research process and indicate if the Trust is able to help. For enquiries email kitheadtrust@live.co.uk and they are also a useful source of information on cars that may no longer be with us.

Regular readers may have recently noticed a new Banner headline, ‘Suppliers and Services’ on this site. This schedule from a few years ago should help with finding suppliers and specialists to help with the restoration and running of our cars. The list has been put up as is and as time permits will be checked and updated. Readers are asked to send any amendments and additions for the List. No Commercial Suppliers will be put on the List without the specific recommendation of an Alvis owner who has used the supplier. Hopefully this list will be a good starting point and our very grateful thanks to Richard Crabtree for his permission and help in publishing the list which he originally compiled in 2007.

A great opportunity to acquire spares has come up. The Alvis Owner Club, TA 14 Technical Advisor has decided the time has come to Spring Clean and part with his large quantity of TA spares in Norfolk, near Great Yarmouth. His details are in The AOC Bulletin and The Membership List. Items may be purchased individually but there is no List. Unfortunately there is no email address, only telephone no. or post.

 Whilst trying to sort out an historic possible mix up of chassis numbers a registration record shows Arthur Francis Varney of Alvis Ltd. registering an Austin 1200c.c., OJO 969. Surely only for comparison purposes!

 Whilst over 70 years on some of our senior citizens may have the odd creak, rattle and blemish, Duncan bodied chassis 20602 obviously had an unhappy owner right from the start. The 2 page letter dated 25th August 1948 from Duncan to Alvis responded  to complaints that.

1 It was extremely difficult to jack the car up due to the design of the Duncan body.

2. The chrome was rusting after only 5 months.

3. Vibration at the front end of the car and rattles.

 No doubt, after the extensive rebuild years later, the car is now free of all those problems. The letter is reproduced in full under chassis 20602, Gallery 1.

 Research into the last TA 14 in Uruguay, chassis 21697 continues and it is strange where research into one topic leads into another. It looks as though chassis 21697 was first owned by Saul Caviglia Staricco of 1210 Salt Street, Montevideo. The invaluable Google shows that he was a student of Anaesthesia before the war. It appears that some 10 years later he was a Doctor with the means to afford a new Alvis in 1948. Little could he have known that we should be carrying out research about him based on application to get the car approved and registered for the road in June 1948.

 Those who have ventured onto the Blog for Pippin and followed the ‘adventures’ of the Carbodies TA 14 may be interested to see a new picture on Gallery 2, chassis 22814. The  Drophead has forgone a respray back to her original Grey. Instead a rather fetching ‘Jaguar’ Blue from the 1960s has been used, reminiscent of the later Alvis 3 litres.

 Finally, Happy Easter to all and good luck to all those who venture out on Drive It Day, Sunday 23rd April, the Season begins.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Eileen and Terry report from their travels in Ca.

Quite a lot of recent TB 14 activity recently, particularly bearing in mind that only 100 were made.

Barn find, chassis 23590 has now found a new home and moved from Wales to England. A complete car she will now undergo a long term restoration, by a very knowledgeable Alvis owner, to bring her back to her former glory.

A restored and used TB 14, chassis 23551 went up for sale in January in Ireland and was immediately snapped up and has not yet resurfaced.

Like buses they seem to come along in Threes! Now on Car and Classic you will find a very desirable, part restored TB 14 for sale, offers in the region of £25k. A lot of work has already been done and the photos speak for themselves.

Car and Classic is always worth keeping an eye on as many Fourteens show up there. Currently a very nice Carbodies is looking for a new home. In total, 2 Mulliners Saloons, another Drophead and the rare Angel Utility. Not on Car and Classic is the partly restored Mulliners in Sweden, still available – a great opportunity.

Talking of sporty Alvis Cars, Clive Taylor is intending to write about “Alvis Cars in Competition” to be produced  in book form for the 100th Anniversary. Details have been put forward about our own Fourteen Racing Car. More about this unique car can be seen under Cars of Interest and under Gallery 1, chassis 20528. Sadly we are not aware that the car survived. Also information about chassis 21458 has been supplied. This is the car owned by Archie Scott Brown, the racing driver although this car thankfully is alive and well. Should you have any knowledge about any Alvis Racing Cars that might be of interest please contact the Clive or leave a comment at the end of the post.

Finally on TB 14s, there is good news that a long term American resident is due to undergo restoration after many years in storage. The car, chassis 23588, was purchased in the late 1960s in England by an American military war hero and taken to America at the end of his duties in Europe. He later commenced restoration of the car but this was not completed. Following his passing some years ago the car has remained in storage but will now be restored and remain with his son and daughter as a family car.

The Museum in Uruguay with the only TA 14 in Uruguay have finally received their much needed Nave Plate, delivered in person by a Member of The Alvis Owner Club. They kindly laid on a 50 person Dinner and made him most welcome. There will be an Article about the visit in a future Alvis Owner Club Bulletin.

For those who pay a visit to Sacramento, The California Car Museum is highly recommended. Whilst most of the cars are American there are some very interesting cars including a Woodie on skis!
‘Pat’, our most helpful guide explained how the early Model T cars were driven. Not a good car to change to if you drive a modern car. Brake pedal on the right, reverse gear pedal in the middle and forward gear pedal on the right. Accelerator on the steering column.
He also explained that in the early days their cars were also right hand drive to follow the system for stage coaches. That system was to allow the shotgun rider to be on the left.

Also in The Museum was a car from The Hudson Motor Car Company, Detroit, Michigan with a Triangle, just not the right one! As the Car Company started in 1909, did this give any inspiration for a neat badge for Alvis? The photo shows 1901 but this is disputed.

The Swedish records are being revised and in due course we may seek help to finalize their records. Already reviewing details of one of their cars has set us off on a search that may explain the unknown identity of chassis 22168 and confusion with chassis 22198 as may have happened in the 1940s. There is occasionally confusion caused by some of the original records so cross checking can be invaluable.
The Swedish owners’ Club by the way has a new Chairman, aged 21 and third generation of a well known Alvis family.

Finally, remember the song with the words, ‘It never rains in Southern California‘? – All lies.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Chassis 20972, Tickford Dhc., JTF 96 was owned by Arthur Holt M.P. who was a Member of The Liberal Party. He was elected to represent the Constituency of Bolton West in 1951 and was an M.P. for 13 years. At the time of representing Bolton West he would have owned his TA 14 so we may yet turn up a photo of him with the car in due course. JTF is now 1-AOP 170, living in Western Europe. She is believed to be the first Tickford bodied Fourteen to have a new chassis as opposed to one previously used for another Fourteen bodied car.

Staying with the political theme, we have chassis 21366, Mulliners Saloon, MNO 800, she was owned by Tom Driberg, the controversial  Labour M.P. who became Baron Bradwell. Her fate or whereabouts is totally unknown. Should you have time then Wikipedia is quite enlightening on the life and career of this early Fourteen owner. One can only guess at the famous names she may have carried. Interestingly enough the recent brilliant series on Radio 4, ‘The Corrupted’, based upon G.F.Newman’s epic novel ‘Crime and Punishment’ features comments about Tom Driberg’s excellent use and pronunciation of the English Language.

On a different aspect of Celebrity ownership, we do not have many Fourteens that have been owned by Racing Drivers, Archie Scott Brown was one of those. He owned chassis 23474, registration NHW 4. This registration was later lost and the car became BLH 429 H. His Fourteen was the rare 1 off Bosistos bodied car and there is more under Celebrity Cars.
His story is told in Archie and The Listers – The heroic story of Archie Scott Brown and the racing marque he made famous, by Robert Edwards. Under ‘Publications’ are further details of the book and an eloquent review by the late Julian Collins recommending it as a very good read.

Another recommended read for those with historical interests is the small booklet: Coventry Car Factories – A Centenary Guide by Mark Singlehurst and Kevin Wilkins. Published in the late 1990s to celebrate the Centenary of the Motor Car. Again further details under Publications.

For those driving or admiring TB 14s and their big sisters the TB 21s they look to some as though they were produced by an American body shop. Not so, the chassis did not venture far before they arrived with A.P. Metalcraft also based in Coventry. Established in 1938 the  Directors were Messrs A.E.Austin, H.Perks, G.Brooks and F.A.Hall, so perhaps this shows where the A.P. came from. They did not limit themselves to carbodies and components but also manufactured housing components and metal furniture, metal designs, engineering and sheet metal assemblies.

Browsing through Bulletin 115, February 1963, sees tales of a TA 14 on it’s third Continental Tour. Owners need reminding in warmer times that the Country was in the middle of ‘The Big Freeze’.
In those more leisurely times TA 14 Mulliners Saloon, chassis 22780, GCJ 55, set off for her third tour of Europe. In the 1960s she and her owners had none of the crush of the Dover crossing. She embarked onto the overnight Ferry from Tilbury with the choice of Rotterdam or Antwerp as the destination. As described, ‘One sails from Tilbury at about 4p.m., tea is immediately provided, an excellent evening dinner follows – not to mention untaxed drinks at the bar – and after a good night’s rest in a truly-first class cabin, a substantial English breakfast awaits one. The number of car passengers is relatively small, and all one has to do is go to the point where the car has been placed (by an expert driver) in readiness for your landing.’ Those were the days!
The tour then proceeds through The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany and then heads towards home. ‘We crossed into Holland, and spent two extremely peaceful days beyond Arnhem. With a woodland setting and ‘English Lawns’, it was all that could be desired for those who appreciate quietness and decorum. The T.A. 14 has been described as ‘majestic’; Continental inquirers  frequently ask if it is a Rolls Royce. Suffice to say it was a suitable car in which to arrive at this gracious (not ‘luxury’) Dutch Hotel’. We understand the beautiful ‘Rolls Royce’ body was replaced later with a Carbodies body. Where is she now?

Should the weather be bad in late winter/early Spring of 2017, have a browse through the Rogues Gallery and Lost Cars to see if any ring a bell?

Another way of passing a delightful few minutes is to watch the Alvis Salamander Clip on YouTube: https://youtu.beSTHAd8z-Twk and watch out for the Fourteen interest!

A recent new owner of a TA 14 has sent over a lovely Father’s Day photo from Belgium with chassis 23293, see Gallery 2 and can you identify the Whisky?

For those looking for an everyday Mulliners Saloon there is one currently for sale in Ireland and the vendor will assist with arrangements to get the car shipped from Ireland if required. The chassis number is 23302, original registration KRR 486 then BSK 502, now ZV 4227. She has been owned by several Alvis Owner Club Members in the past. Go to Car and Classic, Reference C824460. I can provide the email address for the vendor if required. At an asking price of €10 000 worth a look.

Another interesting car opportunity is also available in Ireland and shown on Classic Car Reference C831081. This TB 14 is a known car and an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire one if these increasingly valuable cars. Remember of 3313 Fouteens only 100 were bodied as TB 14s by A.P.Metalcraft.

Those heading to warmer climes in the USA might find Fantasy Junction, Emeryville, California worth a look. They have sold several Alvis in the past including the 3.5 litre TB 14 under Cars of Interest.

As an intrepid AOC Member sails to Uruguay with the nave plate for the Museum’s TA 14 in Uruguay he little knows his delivery has already been foretold by Rodin!

Continuing with art you will find some delightful cartoons by ‘Apsley’ dotted around the Galleries. These and similar can be purchased from ‘Apsley’ and I can put you in touch. You can also commission a personal ‘Apsley’ cartoon of your car.

Very frustrating to find that a ‘Lost Car’ is known to DVLA but they will not pass a letter to the current owner due to ‘Data Protection’, the catch all that comes close to ‘Health and Safety!
She is a Brown Tickford TA 14, chassis 22377, KLL 115 and was due to be re-taxed December 2016. Last M.O.T. 2012 and currently insured. There are not many Brown Tickfords around. It would mean a lot to the son of the former owners to find her. Some lovely photos on the Gallery of happy times with KLL in previous colour scheme. Over to you Sherlocks!

Under the Technical information Section, Lucas information has now been posted and gives helpful instructions relating to trafficators, lights, windscreen wipers etc.. Nothing of course will prevent the patient operation of the windscreen wipers gently packing snow at either side and making the cleared area reduce in size as the snow falls. Those were the days, not sure many Fourteens willingly venture out in the snow these days. We are grateful to the TB 14 owner who provided the Lucas information. Should you have anything similar that could be put on the site it would be much appreciated.

Topical to check your clutch if possible to ensure it does not stick as we have had quite an extreme bout of winter in some areas. ‘Aunty May’, chassis 21830, was run up to temperature today and shuffled backwards and forwards, a simple task but very useful.

Finally a grateful thanks for all the Happy New Years both on and off the site, much appreciated and reciprocated. Spring is on it’s way!!!!!!!!

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Hoping everyone has had a very good Christmas despite most of the Country suffering from colds and bugs possibly due to unseasonally warm weather.

Very grateful to the two Fourteen owners who have agreed to provide headlamp glasses and rims plus nave plate to the small Museum in Uruguay. Thanks also to the offer of transport from France to Montivideo by sea, that will help a lot.

In Bulletin 232, March 1973 is an Article on the dedicated Fourteen topic, the Afterburn Eliminator. As the author pointed out ”nothing to do with ‘afterburners’, which are go-faster bolt ons for jet aircraft’. Most Fourteen owners, whose afterburn eliminators are not properly functioning have experienced the violent rocking of the engine when the ignition has been switched off. The Article is well worth a read but the synopsis is that the whole mechanism should be thoroughly checked through ‘eliminating all backlash and making sure the cable is free. Further checks are detailed. The author also recommended considering fitting an additional stay to the engine to prevent it rocking sideways, as fitted to the T series MGs, to be called ‘the Rocking Eliminator!

Bulletin 232 saw a very knowledgeable scribe, over 50 years in the Motor Trade, advise that afterburn could be eliminated by a control supplied by the Alvis Stores. Does Red Triangle still have that part for those where the mechanism has been removed?

This gentleman also knew what do do for a sportier Fourteen!

‘There were no ‘tune-up kits’ in those days and the first thing we undertook was to raise the compression by machining the cylinder head. Gasket trouble was eliminated by mating the head to the block by hand scraping and fitting a solid copper gasket, the valve ports were also polishes, a new manifold cast and dual SU carburetor fitted and you had a vast improvement in power, not cheap and certainly not for the weekend amateur motor mechanic’!

Duncan, chassis 21707 was sold by Bonhams recently and went for £31050, less than the guide price but still a good sum. Interesting to note that the original car, including extras and tax was for sale at £2199 in 1948. You could have 2 Mulliners for that. It was also more than £1000 over the price of a new Jaguar XK120 launched the following year. Well who wouldn’t rather have had a TA 14.

Spares are often sought after particularly when they are a little outside the mainstream. When the usual channels have been exhausted take a look at http://www.britcot.com. This is an American site that is not for profit and provides a showcase for small operators who do not have their own site and who make parts for old cars, particularly British.

Should you want to look closer to home it is worth checking out http://www.ClassisCarama.com, a free site for goods and services with some recognizable names advertising.

On page 40 of the Driver’s handbook there is reference to a separate leaflet relating to the steering box. Should anyone have a copy of the leaflet I should welcome an email copy to put up on the site.

With the good news that stainless petrol tanks are more freely available, a recommendation has been received for those who just want to repair the existing tank. D&T Radiator Repairs of 
Liverpool have been highly commended recently,for their work and value, by a Fourteen owner.

Should anyone wish to join the mailing list for future Red Triangle Newsletters the address is newsletter@redtriangle.co.uk and I am sure they would welcome suggestions for future Articles

Now all that remains to say is to wish everyone and their Fourteens the Very Best Wishes for 2017.

Eileen, Terry and ‘Aunty May’

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

As Advent begins, many of our cars are settling down to wait until Spring before they emerge into the sunlight and remind their owners of the few little jobs they really, really would like done.

Hopefully they have all had a good year and in some way marked the 70th Anniversary of the First TA 14. Over the next four years more and more will individually celebrate their three score years and ten so lots of excuses for cake, bubbly and fresh oil.

 When eventually the time comes there are many reasons for deciding to pass on our Fourteen friends but in December 1968 one decision was made through particularly gritted teeth.

 ‘1949 TA saln. Best offer over £150. Body restored by spec. c/works cost £250 (will be finished v shortly) For sale because owner cannot afford coach works bill 3 times estimate. Mechs. m/tained by Alvis for 6 years. new clutch, steering box, rockers etc. Oil 50 hot. v.g. tyres.’

 Well it must have been a good restoration as chassis 22882 is still going strong.

 Remember the old days when TB 14s where sometimes called Ugly Ducklings? One gentleman, who saw a picture of ‘Ruby’, chassis 23577, now living in Austria, commented she was ‘more beautiful than a Bugatti’ and he should know as he used to race type 33/35 Bugattis! 

Direct Transmission 1, forbear of the current monthly pink Calendar had another gritted teeth episode. Recording a local Meeting the scribe wrote ‘Saddest part of the meeting was my Alvis log: I record every gallon of fuel consumed and details of journeys in a notebook. Every few years I lose the notebook and have to start another. Today Liz found the 1973 (Sept)-1976 (Aug) edition. On Sept. 30th 1973 ten gallons of four-star petrol cost £4.13. By August 1976 the price had risen to £7.72: today £11.60.’ Wonder what he would think about the price today?

Bulletin 74, in August 1959, perhaps shows how times have changed! The Concours competition had the following categories.

Car and Wife 

Car and Girlfriend 

Car and Male owner 

One can only imagine the full and frank discussions from the losing parties!

Whilst enjoying that possible misinterpretation of the Concours on page 5, an interesting story popped up on page 6.

Nothing to do with Fourteens apart from pedigree but driving a 12/50 back to England from India in the early 1930s was some achievement carried out with typical British understatement and aplomb, well worth a read. 

Looking for a spare 50th Anniversary book that can be passed on to a long term Member who is keen to replace his lost paper copy.  

Owners contemplating major metalcraft work should have a look at the website for MPH Motor Panels in Devon. The website is http://www.mphmotorpanels.com and the email address is mphpanels@mypostoffice.co.uk, Tel. 01579 345914. A Fourteen owner had new rear wings made in aluminium and wrote that ‘They weren’t cheap but they were very good and the car is so much faster!’ So the next time you are in the West Country and a TA 14 roars past you’ll know the reason. 

Walking around the Crypt of Durham Cathedral produced rather an unexpected shock. There in a glass case:                   

‘The Alvis Cross’

 There in the secure glass cabinet was indeed a 13th century copper and enamel cross donated by Michael and Patricia Alvis to Durham Cathedral in 2016.

The cross was found at the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346. The battle took place West of Durham between the Scots, encouraged by the French, the Auld Alliance and the English Army. The Scottish army was routed.

The cross is decorated with engraving Limoges and Champleve enameling which was used for religious objects. It was found again in the 19th century in the grounds of Western Lodge, the site of the battle. Google ‘The Battle of Neville’s Cross’ to read the background and the wonderful donation to Durham Cathedral by Mrs Patricia Alvis aged 95.

In the run up to Christmas remember there are Alvis goodies that make excellent presents.

The latest book on Post War Alvis Cars by John Fox can be obtained by contacting the Alvis Archive Trust, fox@alvis100.plus.com. 

Also from that email address you can arrange to buy a stick on disc of the old Alvis Owner Club Bulletins containing a wealth of Technical Articles, photos and Snippets. The indexes of Historic material is gradually growing and one look at the Articles list shows what a wealth of information there is in the old Bulletins.

An extended Black Friday/Cyber Monday/ TA/TB 14 Wednesday special offer means that on a first come first served basis I can offer the majority of old Bulletins in their original paper format for only the price of Post and Packaging. The odd gap could most likely be filled from old Bulletins that can be purchased in paper format from the Archive Trust. They run from 1968 to 2009 and are in very good condition. No haggling!

The disc of the 50th Anniversary Book by Mick Fletcher and Colin Newby can be obtained from the Alvis Owner Club Shop alvisoc.org.

 A new fire extinguisher is always a good present.

Have a look under the technical heading at the advert for Wefco gaiters. I remember neat leather gaiters modestly covering up ‘Aunty May’s springs, chassis 21830 and protecting them from salt and detritus from the road surface. They had small leather straps. So there is an idea for the car that has everything.

 Save on the price of an oil painting of your car by using Photoshop. You can then have an impressionist painting of your car, or other painting style of your choice.

 The guys in Uruguay were extremely grateful to the gentleman who donated the headlamp glass to their car. Unfortunately a second one is needed so if anyone can rustle up the spirit of Christmas and offer one it would be very much appreciated. Also a nave plate is needed. Chassis 21697 is shown below to tug at your heart strings with her missing glass. Uruguay is a poor country and they struggle to keep the cars going in their small Museum. Their fettling skills are excellent and the car runs on the road, hence the damaged headlamp glasses!

 New headlamp glasses for Fourteens can be obtained from Freddie Boulton Vintage Car Parts, 52 Congleton Road North, Church Lawton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST7 3BA. Tel. 01782 782921. Mobile 077889 477754. Email fred-boulton@tiscali.co.uk. I am very grateful for that information. They are the same as Triumph Roadster 2000 glasses, 22.8 cm diameter, cats eye pattern.

 The part restored Swedish RHD Mulliners Saloon is again for sale and all serious offers will be considered. She was previously for sale for offers in the region of £6500. She is about 60% restored including the engine and the work has obviously been done by a perfectionist.

Numerous photos have been taken and can be forwarded to anyone looking for a project. Living about 60 miles West of Stockholm the roads and bridges are good right the way to the Ports.

 Next month will feature some information about some Fourteens in  Australia. Our cars are indeed a global interest and just this last week I have been corresponding with Australia, Uruguay, USA, France, Germany, Holland and Sweden.

 A blue Carbodies TA 14 makes a fleeting appearance in the major new ‘block buster’ ‘The Crown’ available from Netflix. She appears in Series 1, Episode 2 and passes along Downing Street but don’t blink or you may miss her.

 Finally December will no doubt whistle by so may we take this opportunity to wish everyone the very best for the Christmas Season.

Eileen and Terry

 eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Seventy six years today, 14th November 1940, the Luftwaffe launched one of the largest aerial assaults of the second World War.

The attack was targeted at one of Britain’s major manufacturing cities, The City of Coventry. The Bombers were sent off in the afternoon and evening and headed to a cold and snowy Coventry.

The City was devasted by the bombings and included in the destruction was the Alvis Car Factory. The bombing was relentless for twelve hours. The Car Factory contained magnesium and this contributed to the fire that raged out of control.

Tragically some Alvis employees were killed in the raid and the Car Factory was gone.

In 1943 whilst fully involved with production for the War effort thoughts started to float around as to the Alvis role after the war. T.G. John’s strategic vision for the 1940s was very modern, to have a common chassis with interchangeable 2 and 3 litre engines. Finances and other constraints after the War ended resulted in the decision to offer a 2 litre car, loosely based upon an enlarged 12/70. In September 1944 The Board of Trade gave permission for work to start on the new car and so the TA 14 was born with the continued principle that bodies would be made by external Coachbuilders.

Following the ups and downs of developing the project the day finally arrived when the first 3 cars, Mulliners Saloons, emerged from the Alvis Factory.

 The date, 14th November 1946, exactly 6 years to the day from the devastation of the Coventry blitz that destroyed the original Car Factory. The Post War car production was underway in Holyhead Road. The first 3 Cars were ready to be collected by their Dealers, 3 of the premier Agents fir Alvis car.

 This iconic photo was posted on the 14th to show that Alvis were back in Car production.

From Brooklands of Bond Street, Mayfair, came Mr W.H.Bates to collect chassis 20573, Mulliners M1, to be JLP 344. From Galts of Glasgow came Keith Elliot to collect chassis 20589, Mulliners M3 to initially wear their number G1. From Hanna’s of Belfast came Mr W.J.Hanna to collect chassis 20655, Mulliners M5, to be registered GZ 6178. It is possible that the car in the background might be Mulliners M2, chassis 20553 exported to Switzerland on 15th January 1947.

 The photo below shows those first 3 production cars to leave the Factory and come out into the rain. Stanley Horsefield, the Sales Manager is on the right of the photo.

For four years the TA/TB 14 would proudly be the standard bearer for the Alvis name in car production. It is a testimony to the quality of the cars produced that so many have survived

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO OUR PROUD FOURTEENS.

‘…for if ever a car was designed not to thrill it was this demure monument of taste and respectability (and I use the word ‘monument’ deliberately, for this was a car that proceeded at a stately pace, and was most imposing at a standstill).That was an excerpt from an Article written by Brian Sewell, the famous art critic, following a trip in a TA 14. Bulletin 500, pages 358/359. KGC 539, Tickford Dhc. chassis 22204 gives the remainder of the Article in a similar vein. So even those usually demonstrating quite exquisite taste get it a bit wrong sometimes.

As rather later than usual the summer starts to become a memory thoughts of Ice Creams begin to fade. Mention has been made previously of the 3 Ice Cream Vans that graced the Fourteen chassis. 2 of them were for Frederick’s in the North West but Frederick’s by then were 2 distinct branches of one family. Matteo Federici came to England in 1856 from Italy and was a carpenter who practiced as a Coachbuilder. With 7 sons and 2 daughters the family branched out and the two Ice Cream families were based in St. Helens and Ashton-in-Makerfield. Their Ice Cream vans had to be the best and Dominic Frederick built one of them, the most elaborate, over 2 or 3 winters using the family skills he also had in coachbuilding. The other family Matt Frederick commissioned Henderson’s of Parr Street Saw Mills, St. Helens, Lancashire to build a very stylish van along similar lines but less ornate. Yes the family still trade under the Frederick name today selling Ice Cream. Those in the North West if England might sample some of their Ice Cream and report back. I am indebted to the late and much missed Steve Tillyer for his research and Article he put in Bulletin 498, March 2006. The Article explores the subject in more depth and indeed if you want more Steve wrote a book.

Following the story of the TA 14 in Uruguay you can see and hear her. Either Google Uruguay Alvis or go straight to YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBEdYKdXlk and see the short clip of her running. Her carers are obviously fettlers of the old school. Delighted to confirm that progress has been made both in supplying an old headlamp glass and also the possible sourcing of new headlamp glasses. Further progress with the new headlamp glasses is expected to be reported next month.

Staying over The Pond a lead has emerged in the efforts to determine the chassis number for the white TB 14 owned by the film star James  Mason. Sotherbys were instructed to sell a Merecedes owned by James Mason and have kindly forwarded an email about the TB onto his son. Could it be that the TB 14 is still in family ownership? After 3 weeks no communication from his son so optimism wanes at the moment.

A restored TB 14 is likely to come up for sale in Germany in the near future. In her current ownership for about 40 years she is right hand drive and has been restored over a period years. Let me know if you wish to make contact.

The request for information about Knibbs coach built TA 14s has born  fruit and a visit has been made to see another one in the West Country. Three new photos will be put on The Gallery next month. The current restorer of one of them is always looking for more information so let me know if you can help.

Another Tickford has had it’s body number identified as 2050. As the factory did not record body numbers for Tickfords please let us know your number if it is not on the Master List 1or 2. Again please take a moment to see if our details are correct for any TA or TB 14, current or deceased.

A gentleman is looking for a TA 14 or Lea Francis to become his everyday car doing about 14 miles a day. A very reliable car is sought and he is thinking of spending about £8000 so let me know if you would like to be put in touch with a car for sale.

Currently writing this at virtually the most northern point in the UK with a Severe Gale Force 9 howling outside and the rain lashing down. No email facility so only hope is to catch a bus into Thurso and find somewhere with email. Then it will be possible to reply to the fellow enthusiast who is currently sailing in the Balearics!

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Dave Culshaw, acclaimed Alvis Historian, has written an update to his excellent 50th Anniversary Article and this can be read in Articles. It makes fascinating reading and is also part of his PPS Section on the main Alvis Archive site.

He has also supplied copies of the advert for the first Carbodies together with photo documentation of the car in 1989 on it’s way for restoration. See Brochures and Publications plus chassis 20599. Unusually for Carbodies she does not have a Carbodies body number as she is the pre-production Model.

In addition he has provided a great photo of a Knibbs Car, see under chassis 20691.

 Turning to Woodies, the new editor of ‘Tailgate’, the Magazine of the Woodie Car Club, is Graeme Rust and he can be reached on graeme@graemerust.com. Their Web  site will no longer be maintained and instead will be on Facebook. The details are facebookwoodie_car_club and for anyone with an affection for Woodies the Club should be of great interest.

 Whilst many Woodies were well made and have stood the test of time, some were not. Chassis 20563 in The Gallery is lacking a photo but the letter of the time holds no punches about the quality of the original body ‘a Body of so bad a nature both as regards the design and workmanship that the owner has instructed us to remove the Body entirely and fit a body of our own manufacture.’

 Another rather unhappy letter of the time, on Gallery 1, exists relating to chassis 20510. This is one of 12 possible Utilities bodied by Coachwork Specialists Ltd., no other chassis have been identified as being TA 14s.

 When Duncans put their bodies on the TA 14 running chassis they did manufacture 2 as Drophead Coupes. Sadly one was sold in 2010 as a chassis only, chassis 22332, perhaps the owner had not realized what a rarity she was. The current owner has put a Special body on and she is now for sale with carandclassic.co.uk. Should you however hanker after the real thing then a Duncan Fhc. will be available to purchase at Auction on the 10th September. The Auction is being held by Bonhams at The Goodwood Revival Meeting. Prior to that details can be obtained from Orchard Classics, see http://www.orchardclassics.co.uk/ALVIS.html.

 Another rare coachbuild is Richard Mead and we now have some very nice photos of chassis 21021 in Gallery 1 showing the full length door style with no external cill. Also have a look at chassis 20566 to see an early photo of another Mead.

 I have been asked about the 70th Anniversary Cake at International Alvis Weekend so at the end of this post is a photo of the cake top design printed on edible icing and also the Celebration Beer Bottle.

As we shared the Celebrations with our younger friends the TF21s with their 50th Anniversary they are also on the cake. For those who are thinking of having a cake when their Fourteen achieves 3 score years and ten it is not too difficult to put an edible picture on the cake top. There are companies who will receive an email photo and then send an edible icing photo to be put on the cake, it will be posted in a cardboard roll as it is very flexible and will come with instructions to put it on the cake. Make sure you turn the cake upside down for a flat surface. You can buy ready rolled sugar paste to put on the top as a base for the picture. It then looks quite impressive as you open the champagne!

 Sometimes the limited volume of car sales by overseas dealers makes one wonder why they went to all the bother. An interesting Article  in Bulletin 311, by Hans Rainer, shows that Dealers ‘Gjestvangs’ of Sweden could purchase a Mulliners Saloon for approximately £900. The retail price to a Swedish purchaser was about £1500.

 Many of the TB 14s were exported when they were new. Chassis 23510 had the unique experience of being the only one of two exported to India, actually to Mandinalla Motor Company, Karachi now Pakistan. What were the odds of an intrepid Fourteen owner encountering one of these cars on a 5 month trip from England to South Africa via India in 1970? The car was seen in West Pakistan in Green, the original colour when exported. The fact that it was still in Pakistan in 1970 indicates local ownership so she may well still be out there, keep your eyes open. The other car was chassis 23525 and she was red.

In updating records it is sometimes fascinating to allow time to sidetrack and check out the ‘back story’ as it is now called in the Media. TB 14 Chassis 23588 was bought in 1970 by an American Pilot stationed in England. The car went into storage in 1995 in the USA and now one of his daughters and one of his sons propose to move the car and hope to get it restored. So another one of the 100 should be on the road again. Going back to the Pilot he was Lieutenant Edward A. Chipkevich and Googling the name shows a brief description of a very brave man who served in the 2nd World War, Korean War and Vietnam Wars. His military career in WW 11 included service with the iconic 82nd Airborne Paratroopers, famous for Arnhem, ‘Operation Market Garden’. Coincidentally in the same operation, my mother’s cousin, Major John C. Bune was in the 1st Parachute Regiment at Arnhem but tragically lost his life on the first evening having volunteered to go out to rescue the wounded in Oosterbeek. A digression maybe but Fourteens continue to provide quite surprising links and a moment to reflect.

 Good news is that we have found 2 lost TB14s, chassis 23551 is living in Ireland and looking very smart in white and rather racy with non standard but very fetching wire wheels. Photos of her on the new livery are on the TB 14 page.

 Chassis 23567 is living with her long term owner in Germany and new pictures will be sent over soon.

 Now can anyone help with Tickford JYF 60? The son of her owner in the 1950s is trying to find her and being a Tickford we hope there is a good chance. Her picture is on Lost Cars and she sports the striking Brooklands ‘Flying Lady Mascot’. YF is a Greater London registration.

 Sadly JYF 60 is not the Tickford for sale that has come up in Belgium. Chassis 23160, Engine 23166 is well known and was one of the early rebodied cars in the 1940s when chassis returned with unacceptable Utility bodies. I can put you in touch with the current owner and rumour has it a buyer might find some Belgian Chocolates and Beer in the boot!

 After being with the same owner for over half a century ‘Nippie’ NPE 600, chassis 23344 has now found a new owner to cherish a car that was most affectionally and beautifully restored.

 As well as the above a selection of Fourteens for sale can usually be found at Car and Classic on carandclassic.co.uk and although ‘Nippie’ has been sold there are several more to choose from.

 Many thanks for the responses to our search for photos of Knibbs bodied cars, very useful leads.

 To see one of the most streamlined TA 14s, look no further than chassis 23474. The one off Bosistos coachwork.

 Many of our cars now sport Mascots but TA 14s and TB14s were never given a designated mascot by Alvis. Cars supplied by Brooklands of Bond Street were often fitted with a flying lady mascot similar to the design by Sykes on the Rolls Royce and perhaps by Lejeune. It is highly probable that the first period photo under Lost Cars, chassis 21630 shows one of these mascots.

Have a look in Bulletin 522, page 25 and see if you can identify the TA 14 in the 1940s photo with the interesting Mascot. Can anyone supply a good photo of one of these mascots?

 Please do look in Lost Cars every so often to see if memories can be jogged. Tickford 21630 is the latest to go on the list and hopefully may have survived.

 Looking at Bulletins of the 1970s is usually an historical exercise, that is until page 10 of Bulletin 224, June 1972. John Buck was reporting problems with the reconditioned steering box he had just purchased. It was worse than the one he had taken  out. David Michie, was evidently equally unhappy at the quality of the reconditioned boxes and was going to look into it. Now the relevance. A certain ‘Aunty May’, chassis 21830 had stripped her owner of a large chunk of funds to have a reconditioned steering box acquired and fitted. Lo and behold there was no difference to the one that was taken out.  So 42 years on we know the reason why and the steering box is no worse than the day it was fitted.

 Going back to The Bulletins of the 1960s sees a very wise man, Mr Suthren. On page 12 of Bulletin 122, October 1963, Mr Suthren has a 1934 Speed 20 2 door V.D.P. Saloon for sale in first class condition. For the best reason in the world, as he has bought a TA 14!

 Next time you park next to a 4.3 be aware that under the bonnet of a 14 ‘the crankshaft is a really massive affair and is probably the strongest ever used in any Alvis engine. The connecting rods are equally massive and apart from a smaller gudgeon pin are the same as those fitted to the 4.3 litre.’

 To be further impressed go to http://www.thegallerybrummen.nl and have a look at a very prestigious Classic Car emporium, Gallery Brummen in The Netherlands. The Carbodies  for sale is chassis 23475 and the before pictures are on our Gallery 2.

Finally the eagle eyed may have noticed that we now have an up to date register of Fourteens on the site. Please let me know of any errors or omissions you can help with. The Articles index, Snippets, and Historic Sale entries have all been updated so look again to see if there is anything new for you.

 eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com

Can anyone help by supplying photos of Knibbs of Manchester bodied Fourteens? The owner of chassis 20613 is restoring his car and would welcome some good photos of a Knibbs to help with the restoration. He has supplied some photos of his car as taken in 1990 and they are now on Gallery 1. 

Still looking to find 2 headlamp rims and glasses plus a nave plate to send out to the Museum in Uruguay if anyone can help.

For those of a fettling bent, keep an eye on the major rebuilds Section. Very useful information can be gleaned from those who have been through the process. The Articles index can also show where other relevant Articles are in old Bulletins. The restoration of a Tickford, chassis 21623, threw up an interesting concept. ‘A little known feature is that the rear chassis ends can be bolted in different positions – minimizing length for garaging or increasing length for maximum protection.’ 

Any reader with a Tickford who does not know the Body number should check the following. The numbers were written on the back of wood trim to identify which pieces for individual cars. The number will be 4 digits starting with 2. A certain Tickford downstairs, 21830, is body no. 2020 but nearly 70 years ago someone at Tickford Newport Pagnell fitted one door capping marked 2019, different wood but then stained to match. Anyone claiming ownership of body no. 2019 can rest assured the door cap 2020 would not now be reclaimed. Other places to find the number are sun visors and pram irons. The numbers do not run sequentially for Alvis as mixed in with other manufacturers such as Daimler and Lagonda. 

Tyres are a perennial dilemma for those unsure about whether to change from cross ply to radial. ‘Aunty May’, chassis 21830 would not change from Avon Tourist cross ply but in the 1960s/1970s many made the change to radials and some then back again. Eminent early Member Mr L.V.Halliwell was asked in 1967 by Ken Day, now our President Emeritus, to write about his experience with new radial Pirelli Cinturatos. 

‘After about 2500 miles I find that the slight understeer characteristics have changed to marked over-steer. Steering is very much more precise and 5-8 m.p.h. Can be safely added to the speed for the average corner for the same noises. In the wet the breakaway is definitely later but more sudden, and I’m not yet altogether happy about this aspect but accept the fact as self criticism rather than deficiency in the tyres. Steering at low speeds is slightly stiffer, but the TA 14 never was a heavy car to handle and the difference is so little as to be unlikely to worry even lady-owners. I’m hoping for a high mileage and in the short distance so far covered there is no wear evident. The pressures being used are 28 p.s.i. Front and rear running light and 30 p.s.i. running light, and 30 p.s.i. Rear with family and luggage on board.’ so watch out for hard cornering Fourteens in the wet! The extract was taken from a Bulletin also showing the renowned lady racing driver Mrs Urquhart-Dykes taking her straight eight FWD Alvis around Brooklands etc.. So perhaps ladies were able to cope with a Fourteen!

 It is a well known fact amongst Fourteen enthusiasts that when the TB 14 was shown at the 1948 Motor Show so was the rather faster Jaguar XK120. The TB was priced at £150 15s 8d. and was £12 15s 7d dearer than the Jaguar so perhaps that was the cost of the Cocktail Cabinet and Vanity Unit, neither making it through to production. 

Finally apologies for the late arrival of the June Post that went under it’s own heading ‘The Proud Fourteens’. There was a reason. Terry was trying to send it from the security of the phone but in the wilds of the Norfolk Broads we could not get a good signal. As we were visiting my cousin, all would be well we could use their secure network. No go as they are in a black spot. So out to hang around the one spot in the village with a reasonable signal and wait for the police to turn up to find out what was going on walking round and round to get a signal and then pressing the wrong button.

Anyway the world still turned. 

The indices will be updated at the end of August so look again to see if your friend was up to anything many years ago. 

Enjoy the summer whilst it is here, have just had to use the Christmas word to book up a get together, it will be here only too soon.

eileen4ta.tb14s@rocketmail.com