Description
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Viewing: Tues 8th April from 12pm
Auction: Wed 9th April from 9am
Location: IWM Duxford Airfield, Cambridge CB22 4QR
1948 Alvis TA14 Supercharged Special
Estimate £35, 000 - £40, 000
Registration No: JYF 56
Chassis No: 22096
MOT: Exempt
Handbuilt and among the nicest Specials we have encountered
Bespoke aluminium body, Lucas P80 headlamps plus bespoke instruments
Leather seats and aluminium machined dashboard
19" wheels with new Blockley tyres
Entering production in 1946, the new Alvis TA14 was a successful update of the pre-WW2 12/ 70 (designed by George Lanchester). With a two-inch longer wheelbase and four-inch wider track as well as some additional chassis bracing, it offered an improved ride and sharper handling. Credited with 65bhp, its 1892cc OHV four-cylinder engine was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox (with synchromesh on the top three gears) which drove the rear wheels. While the majority were supplied as Mulliner-bodied four-door saloons, the TA14 could also be had with two-door drophead coupe coachwork by Carbodies or Tickford. A number of examples have been turned into specials like the sale example with lightweight coachwork.
Originally dispatched on 26th May 1948 to Brooklands Motor Car Company Ltd of Bond Street, London with coachwork by Mulliner, JYF 56 has been known to the Alvis Owners Club since 1968. In 2010, a previous owner embarked on making a stylish special, handing the baton on to the current vendor in 2014. The sporting aluminium coachwork was completed in 2016, whilst the services of the late engine tuner Peter Baldwin were engaged for the engine, which was stripped, cleaned, and parts replaced as necessary. In the vendor’s hands it has only ever run on Penrite oil. The Eaton supercharger runs at 5 psi boost driven through twin belts from the crankshaft. The car’s impressive specification includes; 2" Hd8 SU carburettor with polished 125 VE needle, CAD designed cast aluminium inlet manifold with blow-off valve, distributor built for the car at considerable expense by the Distributor Doctor Ltd, sand-filled bespoke exhaust and manifold, Hartford front shocks, refurbished springs by Jones Springs Ltd, bespoke leather bonnet strap by Vintage Supplies, triple-plated chromework by a leading UK plater, new professionally made wiring loom, new period looking alternator, electric fan, re-lined brakes, new hubs by Orson Equipment Ltd, Lucas P80 headlamps and machine-turned dashboard with discrete modern GPS speedometer and trip, To ease entry the steering wheel is quick release whilst the external handbrake is a racing fly-off type. Access to the battery and storage are behind the leather seat.
In excess of 3, 000 hours were invested in the project and the extremely handsome result is DVLA registered as a convertible two-seater. Accepted as legitimate and even laudable by the Alvis Owners Club, this attractive special comes with numerous invoices, copies of Club records and a matching 19 " wheel rim that could be supported by the substantial bulkhead to give the benefit of a side-mounted spare for touring.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
