A
very rare 1950 Alvis TB 14 Sports Tourer has been donated to Coventry’s Museum of
British Road Transport. The vehicle is one of only 100 built and it is believed that only
fifteen or sixteen still survive on a world-wide basis.
When the model was introduced in 1948 it created extensive impact in the motoring
world. One correspondent wrote ‘it was not often that an Alvis created a sensation at
a motor show but it certainly did at Brussels and London in 1948 when the Company
displayed a dramatic streamlined open two seater, whose swooping lines brought crowds to
the stands and according to the London Evening Standard ‘stole a great deal of
limelight.’ Bearing in mind that the Earls Court Show of 1948 saw the introduction of
the Jaguar XK 120, Morris Minor, Standard Vanguard and Land Rover this is praise indeed!
The vehicle has been very generously donated to the Museum by the family of the late
Charles W Townsend, FRICS and they are eager that this fine example of a very rare and
important car should take its rightful place alongside the other examples of the
City’s road transport heritage so extensively displayed in the Museum.
Councillor Arthur Waugh, Chairman of the Museum’s Board commented
"I am delighted that such a significant example of Coventry’s motoring
heritage has been so generously donated to the Museum by a local family. It adds a
significant dimension to our Collections which are designated as being of national
importance and now that we are free of charge I do hope that visitors will take the
opportunity to view this splendid car before the conservation programme begins."
The vehicle, which has undergone partial refurbishment, will be displayed as found in
the Museum over the Easter holiday period alongside other models from the Alvis stable.
These include the very first Alvis, a 1920 10/80; a front-wheeled drive of 1927; a 1932
12/60; a 1952 TA 14 and the personal car of the former Managing Director of Alvis J.J
Parkes which is a 1965 TE Alvis. It is anticipated that, during the coming year, the
vehicle will be subject to a conservation programme thus ensuring its future display to a
standard that would be typical for a car of this age and significance.
