You can sometimes get what you want - Land Rover 90 Now Alvis TA14

[anonymous user]

Don't really know where to start with this one. From my recent witterings you may recall that Junkman posted a bargain Bentley T, in the ebay tat thread, that needed the brakes sorting out. It had already sold by the time I saw it but showing as a "you may also be interested in" was a very shabby looking Bentley Mk VI.

 

I made the mistake of looking at it and after reading the description made contact with the vendor for a bit more info. Suffice to say after a lot of agonising and trying to justify it to myself, I found myself hitting the buy it now button (ok if I'd waited I may have got it for less, but when I want instant gratification I want it now).

 

It's been a few days of shuffling money around and I can now say I have gone from being a bit hard up to nearly broke. I'm not brave enough any more to drive a completely unknown 1940s car from Cambridgeshire to South Wales so it was transported down by the vendor in a very smart covered trailer. (That was a nice surprise, probably more for the shoppers in Sainsbury's car park where we did the unloading).

 

I was too wound up (apprehension/excitement/stupidity/etc.) to take any photographs at the time. Cash counted out (I bet that looked dodgy) a quick chat and explain of the controls and that was it. First stop was the adjacent petrol station and then I had a little trundle around before taking it home. Verdict - the brakes are not wonderful and I think need looking at pretty soon, not too worried by that. Yes it's extremely shabby, but very, very solid in all the right places. So no it's not a Volvo or a taxi

 

 

I'm still in a bit of a "what the hell have I done that for" frame of mind at the moment. I will do a sensible update with proper photographs in the next few days.

 

 

[Supernaut]

You are COMPLETELY FUCKING MENTAL.

 

Brilliant.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Flippin FANTASTIC. You're my hero!!!!

[Bucketeer]

So this is your reliable second car with room for the dogs? SUPERB.

Many, many more photos and stuff please.

[dollywobbler]

Best Smart roadster replacement ever! I've driven a few of these and they're just delightful, with a properly engineered feel to them. I've also driven a couple of specials, just in case the body is toast... they're great fun!

[anonymous user]

A few more photographs to go on with.

 

 

I have no idea what some of the switches do, but will have fun finding out, The wipers are similar to the ones on a Series 1 Land Rover, you have to turn handles to get the blades onto the screen and then you can switch them on independently of each other, or twist the handle to wipe the screen by hand.

 

There is no power assisted steering but once it's moving it's not too bad, it has a hand throttle and mixture control on  the steering wheel boss, plus adjustment for the dampers (don't think that works).

The valve radio does not work, but there is a handle on the roof so you can spin the aerial around to poke peoples eyes out.

 

 

The rear seat has survived quite well, the fronts are ripped beyond repair. There is an electric blind for the rear window (doesn't work)  No carpets, but I'm sure I can get some off-cuts from somewhere.

 

I've never seen and air-cleaner that big before, I think there's an engine underneath it.

 

The already dented bumper should deter people from parking too close.

 

 

I'm just glad that it does fit behind the gates

 

 

[dave21478]

Literally perfect. Just the right blend of shabby and class.

[Alexg]

Bloody hell that's a classy looking old crate. I bet you feel like the cats pyjamas swanning about in that.

[Sigmund Fraud]

YES ! When I saw that someone had hit the BIN button, I was hoping it had been you !

 

Massive respect !!!

 

We also demand a picture of it at your local Lidl/Aldi car park, which would make the ultimate 2017 AS calendar cover !

[Skizzer]

Really?  REALLY?!  You absolute LEGEND!

[eddyramrod]

I'm positively lime green!  4, 16, 38, 42 and 59 please

[Asimo]

Splendid.

Infinity/10.

The world IS now a better place.

Loving the Womble-skin seat covers.

Congratulations.

etc.

 

PS How do you fit behind the wheel, with cojones that big?

[danthecapriman]

That is utterly gorgeous! You'd have been mad not to buy it.

Definitely one of my favourite cars on here.

[John F]

Needs lowering...

 

 

That is ace.

[brickwall]

 

 

I made the mistake of looking at it ...

 

 

Autoshitter detected.

[xtriple]

I suppose it's OK. If you like that sort of thing (sniff) which I REALLY FUCKING DO!!!!! Gorgeous.

[beko1987]

Amazing!

[NorfolkNWeigh]

You are James Robertson Justice AICMFP.

[cort1977]

Wow.   That is smashing (other 50's slang terms available).

 

Can I be the first to say do not paint?

[Danblez]

Ok so that was unexpected. How decadent!

[scruff]

Brilliant!!!!! I can really see you in this, what a wonderful old motor. We need more old stuff on AS and this is the daddy

[mercrocker]

I cannot describe how bloody fantastic that is......seat covers and all.   These Bentleys seem to have been built to end up looking this good, they were always like this in the Sixties and Seventies (except a lot cheaper) and once reaching this kind of patination seemed to just last forever.   

 

Top, Top Scoring and the dogs only add to the atmosphere....

[anonymous user]

A little update, sorry no more photographs yet partly because I'd be a little bit embarrassed if I was seen taking them.

 

Don't worry it already has the Junkman approved, do not paint instruction applied, apart from which I could not afford to paint it at the moment, even with Dulux.

 

The brakes definitely need sorting, they work but do not inspire confidence fortunately all the workshop manuals are on .pdf on the net so that'll be fun. They have an interesting gearbox driven servo, the like of which I have no idea.

 

Despite the lack of confidence in the brakes (I just drive it slowly anyway) it has been out today and cut quite a dash taking rubbish to the tip; I declined their offer to chuck it in as well and got out of there unscathed. I had Toby, one of the spaniels, with me so we went to his favourite pub in Cowbridge and managed to park on the main street. Walking back to it I overheard a couple of school kids admiring* it. Apparently it looks like something from the Addams family, so they were obviously impressed.

 

I really like it, but I'm slightly embarrassed being seen in public with it, a bit like when I had the 928 but for different reasons, I need to grow a thicker skin.

 

Despite its extremely shabby appearance it does run very sweetly and has a lot of oomph when the throttle is prodded, you can hear the petrol gurgling into the engine like someone emptying a bath.

[spartacus]

Awesome, if you're not actually a rich eccentric you can definitely pass off as one in that.

[mercrocker]

Jeez, you don't need to be worrying about anybody else's opinion driving that.....It's like a well-cut Edwardian suit  -  says it all.   

[anonymous user]

I didn't want the Land Rover to feel left out so I have finally got around to drilling two holes in the bonnet to fit the spaniel.

 

I've had it in a box for ages, I know that some frown on bonnet mascots as they're considered to be unsafe as they can cause injury, my view is if you are already on the bonnet of a Land Rover you are already pretty injured and if the mascot doesn't get you the spare wheel will.

 

I have been reading up the previous owners of the MkVI, it was originally ordered and delivered to a Funeral Directors in Scotland, but sold on about six months later. I understand that the Funeral Directors were major shareholders in Mulliner so it was probably some sort of post-war dodge where it was difficult to get a new car so was really built to the specification of the second owner.

 

It does seem to have changed hands a few times in its early life, at one point being owned by the CEGB in London. It's long term owner bought it in 1968, keeping it until the end of last year. I have been given a very nice letter from him, where he details that he purchased it from an Army Major for £400 out of the Exchange and Mart. At one point it was fitted with truck tyres when he took it on the continent as they were the only ones he could get at the time. He used it as his only car for years until he had a company car, it was then used less, just for special occasions. It looks like it was last used in 2012 when he moved house; unfortunately it was no longer garaged and kept under a plastic tarpaulin (which explains why the paint on the roof and bonnet is now wrecked). He explained that he felt unable to look after it and it was sold at auction last year to the person I bought it off. I do know which auction and what he paid, yes he has made a small profit, but I have no problem with that.

 

The person I bought it from originally bought it to cut it up to make a special for a client, but felt it was too good for that, so bought a rusty R Type instead.

 

Edited to add, having got the long-term owner's address I took a look on Street View and can see the car under a blue tarp on the driveway.

Edited May 14, 2016 by anonymous user

[panhard65]

How did I miss this, that is a lovely old thing well done. I really should get another 50's barge but I quite like my silver spirit even if it does cost a fortune and I never have time to use it. Will this be at shitefest this year ??

[trigger]

My god! I wish i clicked on this thread sooner! What a amaze-ballz car! It's like something out of a gritty low budget early 70s movie.

[mercrocker]

I have alluded to this before but it just reminds me of being a school-kid.....The T and Shadow were current then but there were loads of MkVI and R Type standard steels in use by people who appreciated a Bentley but either couldn't afford, or didn't want, anything newer.    A class-mate's Dad had one along with his R16 for high days and holidays.   Well polished but bubbling up here and there and with a fairly shabby interior.  

 

Record shop in the village was owned by a flamboyant old boy who had a big boot saloon - paint was flat and almost matt black but it had primrose yellow door panels which were obviously a later addition and still shone well.   He lived down a steep bank and left the Bentley out in all weathers on the main road in the bus lay-by.   Decades later I found a 1960s Motor Sport mag with not only his saloon advertised by one of the Mews dealers  but also a small ad from record shop himself man flogging a pre-war Derby. 

 

These cars always have an interesting story to tell which makes them a magical thing to own.....

[dollywobbler]

The major downside of that servo is that the brakes get worse the slower you go. Which is probably why such things no longer exist. Attention grabbing cars do take a bit of getting used to. Personally, I just enjoy creating a scene.