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Puzzles, Games and Name That Car => Solved AutoPuzzles => 2011 => Topic started by: barrett on January 27, 2011, 08:14:21 PM

Title: barrett's #122 - Solved - Alvis Fourteen by F.J Bidée, c.1947
Post by: barrett on January 27, 2011, 08:14:21 PM
A bit of a mystery this one. I've seen this appear in several publications over the years, and no one is quite sure what exactly it is! I know the marque of the base car, and I have an idea about who built the body, but perhaps one of our members can clear this one up for good?
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: barrett on February 06, 2011, 03:18:58 PM
Any experts know the full story?
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: barrett on February 26, 2011, 10:46:22 PM
Pros should put this one to bed quickly
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: João on February 26, 2011, 11:13:03 PM
AP Metalcraft produced a sporting twin carb TB14 version for the 1948 London Motor Show. It was a brave attempt at something modern, but somewhat shown up by the Jaguar XK120 which debuted at the same show. Willowbrook built the controversial design which was based on the work of the Belgian coachbuilder F.J. Bidée. Alvis did not like the ommission of a traditional grille and the TB14 sold just 100.
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: barrett on February 27, 2011, 09:46:26 AM
Great answer, and I assume you are probably correct, but I was under the impression this car was actually bodied by Bidée himself, as it wears Belgian plates.
I'll leave this here for a while to see if anyone can shed anymore light on this particular car
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: João on February 27, 2011, 09:55:27 AM
Same car,I believe :
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: Otto Puzzell on February 28, 2011, 06:15:47 AM
I'd say similar but different. The puzzle car's front fenders (wings) extend all the way to the rears. On the red car, they do not.
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: barrett on July 05, 2011, 08:37:29 PM
Is there a general consensus as to what should be done with this puzzle?

I'm of the belief that this car was bodied by Bidée in c.1947 but i have no definitive proof. I know we all like concrete evidence here, so should I send this to the black hole and see if anything more is discovered, or move it to solved?
Title: Re: barrett's #122
Post by: barrett on July 18, 2011, 01:10:04 PM
Okay, this tiny blurry shot shows what I believe is the first Alvis chassis clothed by F.J Bidée. I'm sure you'll agree it looks almost identical to the puzzle car, I think this is proof enough.
I'm moving this to solved.