Description
The Millbrook Sale | Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire
Viewing: Saturday 9th May 2026 from 12pm
Auction: Sunday 10th May 2026
Location: Millbrook Proving Ground, Station Lane, Bedford MK45 2JH
1948 Alvis TA14 Shooting Brake
No Reserve
Registration No: CRS 788
Chassis No: 21954
MOT: Exempt
An extremely rare survivor with Aluminimum panelled station wagon coachwork
An exciting restoration project believed to be complete
Supplied with a large quantity of new Ash timber ready for shaping to fit
Entering production in 1946, the new Alvis TA14 was a successful update of the pre-war 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 1, 892cc OHV four-cylinder engine was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox (with synchromesh on the top three gears) which drove the rear wheels viâ a hypoid back axle. Reputedly capable of over 75mph and accelerating from 0-60mph in 22secs., the model employed Girling twin leading-shoe drum brakes all round. While the majority were supplied with four-door saloon bodies by Mulliners of Birmingham, the TA14 could also be had with two-door Drophead Coupé coachwork by Carbodies or Tickford and Shooting Brake coachwork by Reeve & Kennings. Some 3, 311 examples are said to have been produced during the four years of production.
Of all the cars to carry the Red Triangle, some of the most fascinating are the assorted utility cars and shooting brakes built on the TA14 chassis, since they were completed by numerous coachbuilders in almost endless variations. This delightful and probably unique example is especially interesting as its original coachbuilder is not known. Chassis 21954 was despatched as a chassis on April 12th, 1948, to dealer James H. Galt Ltd. of Glasgow. From October 23rd, it is recorded in the possession of James Wallace of Edinburgh.
The Alvis Owner Club later records 21954 belonging to F. T. “Tom” Poole of Cambridgeshire, a multiple Alvis owner. He was followed by Don Simpkins, a Morgan restorer from Georgia, who came to Britain on a parts-buying expedition and needed a car to use over here, and take parts home in. Thus, the Alvis was shipped to America laden with Morgan spares. After a few further owners, it was reimported in 1996 and acquired by one Mr. Doherty of Kent, who reported that it had been repainted and internally refurbished at some point.
Doherty reclaimed the original registration number, ‘CRS 788’, and engaged Tim Walker (Restorations) to overhaul the Alvis, which involved rewiring, repairs to miscellaneous electrical items, brake adjustment, refurbishing the rear shock absorbers, servicing the engine and transmission, and fabricating a new petrol tank. The work was completed in 2000, with invoices reaching almost £6, 000. There is evidence of a further service and carburettor overhaul in 2011, and a health check was performed by Paul Roach Classics in 2024. The current V5C shows only three registered keepers since 1997, and it appears the Alvis has seen minimal use on the road since then. The late owner acquired the shooting brake in 2024, by which time it was deemed in need of a complete strip-down ready for restoration. Alas, the shooting brake body was dismantled, and a large quantity of Ash in timber form was acquired ready to be sawn to size. Unfortunately, just after the tear-down, he passed away and therefore the car will now be sold in dismantled form. Further documents in the history file include the 1978 Ohio title, assorted invoices, an original Manual of Instructions, correspondence from the Alvis Owner Club and 2024-25 Alvis Club Bulletins.
** 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).
