The Alvis Fourteen also known as TA 14 was the first car to be produced by major defence contractor

Alvis cars Alvis Car and Engineering Company Ltd was a British manufacturing company in Coventry from 1919 to 1967. In addition to automobiles designed for the civilian market, the company also produced racing cars, aircraft engines, armoured cars and oth ...

after World War II. The entire car factory had been destroyed on the night of Thursday 14 November 1940.Frederick Taylor, ''Coventry: Thursday, 14 November 1940'', Bloomsbury, 2015 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 but there were also

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 has ...

and

Carbodies The London Taxi Company was a taxi design and manufacturing company based in Coventry, England. It formerly traded as London Taxis International and Carbodies. It operated a coachbuilding business on Holyhead Road, Coventry. After half a c ...

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

Engine

The 1892 cc engine is a slightly larger-bore version of the one used in the 12/70 and produced . It is fitted with a single SU type H4 -inch side-draught carburettor. Inlet valves have been enlarged. The triplex chain drive has been given an automatic tensioner. The engine's exhaust system has been extensively revised and the direction of flow of cooling water around the engine has been substantially changed.

Brakes suspension steering

The bodies were mounted on an updated pre-war

Alvis 12/70 The Alvis 12/70 was announced by Alvis cars 22 September 1937. It was a four-cylinder sports saloon or 4-seater drophead coupé related to the pricier six-cylinder Alvis Silver Crest. Technical director and chief designer Smith-Clarke was fu ...

chassis that was widened and lengthened but retained the 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 and greatly reduced 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 are fitted with 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 the new car had the typical Alvis refined sure-footed and lively performance. Its synchromesh "worked like a charm". The Motor 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