The Alvis TA 14, also called the Alvis Fourteen, was the first car that the car maker and defence contractor

Alvis Alvis is a given name and a surname (close to the uncommon Scottish surname Alves). Alvis may also refer to: *Alvi, a Muslim community in South Asia, who claims descent from the fourth Rashidun caliph, Ali ibn Abi Talib *Alvis Car and Engineering ...

produced after World War II. The entire car factory had been destroyed on the night of Thursday 14 November 1940. Announced in November 1946, it was made until 1950, when its postwar austerity 1900 cc engine was replaced by the 2993 cc 26.25 HP (tax rating) Alvis Three Litre or TA 21.

First postwar Alvis

The Fourteen was available as a four-door sports saloon built for Alvis by Mulliners of Birmingham.

Tickford Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing business in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, known for tuning and such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri. Under the name Salmons & Sons and their Tickford products the firm ha ...

and

Carbodies Carbodies was a Hackney carriage, taxi design and manufacturing company based in Coventry, England. In its latter years it also traded as London Taxis International and The London Taxi Company. It operated a coachbuilding business on Holyhe ...

drophead versions were also offered. When compared with the 12/70 car it replaced, the interior is 4 inches wider, and the distance between rear-seat armrests is increased by almost 5 inches."An Admirable Alvis", ''Autocar'', 15 November 1946, London

Engine

The 1892 cc engine is a slightly larger-bore version of the one used in the 12/70, and produces . It has a single SU type H 4-inch side-draught carburettor. The inlet valves are larger than those on the 12/70, and the triplex chain drive has the addition of an automatic tensioner. The exhaust system was extensively revised, and the direction of flow of cooling water around the engine was substantially changed.

Brakes suspension steering

The body is mounted on an updated pre-war Alvis 12/70 chassis that is wider and longer, but retains rigid-axle leaf spring suspension. Employing ''Silentbloc'' bushes (except at the front of the front springs to maintain steering precision), it is controlled by double acting Armstrong hydraulic dampers. Hypoid bevel final drive was fitted for the first time, greatly reducing the height of the transmission tunnel. Steering is by Marles, with a spring spoked steering wheel. Mechanically operated brakes are two-leading-shoe type by Girling. Disc wheels replaced the 12/70's wire wheels, and have larger tyres. The top speed is around , and acceleration from 0 to in 22.2 seconds. Alvis TA14 Mulliner rear.jpg, Standard sports saloon Alvis_TA14_Mulliner_front.jpg , Standard sports saloon Alvis_TA14_Raine_Saloon_front.jpg , Sports saloon
by Raine of Durham Alvis_TA14_Tickford_DHC_front.jpg , drophead coupé
by Tickford Alvis_TA14_Carbodies_DHC.jpg , drophead coupé
by Carbodies Alvis TA14 3084230933.jpg, drophead coupé cabriolet
by Mead Alvis TA14 Duncan pillarless sports saloon, Abergavenny steam rally, 2015 (cropped).jpg, fixed head coupé by Duncan Industries 1947 Glazing, Alvis TA14 Duncan pillarless sports saloon, Abergavenny steam rally, 2015.jpg

Road test

'' Autocar'' reported that the new car had the typical Alvis refined, sure-footed, and lively performance. Its synchromesh "worked like a charm". ''

The Motor ''The Motor'' (later, just ''Motor'') was a British weekly car magazine founded on 28 January 1903 and published by Temple Press. It was initially launched as ''Motorcycling and Motoring'' in 1902 before the title was shortened. From the 14 ...

'' said the car was much roomier than the compact close-coupled exterior suggested. Rear seat knee-room was between 8 and 13 inches. A most impressive car with a flexible 4-cylinder engine. Wind noise was noticeable at high speed.

References

External links