After the Second World War, the 1919-founded Alvis Motor Company specialised in sports saloons, traditionally styled and coachbuilt, with the Grey Lady being capable of over 100mph.

In 1955 however, Graber styled what was considered to be a stunningly attractive two-door, pillarless coupé on a Grey Lady chassis which could comfortably transport four people with speeds up to 110mph.

Although the Swiss firm did body several chassis from Coventry, their design was reproduced by celebrated English coachbuilders, Park Ward, who produced both fixedhead and drophead versions.

With a Rolls-Royce standard of finish, the new Alvis quickly magnetised an up-market following which included Prince Philip and Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader CBE, DSO, DFC.

Despite having lost both legs when he crashed his plane during a display, Bader had gone on to score 23 enemy `kills' in action.

With a reputation for always demanding the best, the WW2 fighter ace chose the TE21 and had his much loved `36 GLR'...