The ex-Sir Basil Spence Lancia Flavia.

Coachbuilder Alfredo Vignale in Turin built 1,601 four-seater convertibles on the Lancia Flavia platform between 1962 and 1967.

This car is one of approximately 40 right-hand drive, UK examples and was sold new to the architect Sir Basil Spence (1907-76) in April 1963, priced at £2,350 which was a considerable sum at the time as, for £300, you could have bought a four-seat convertible Citroen DS.

Probably Britain's most celebrated post war modern architect - best known for Coventry Cathedral - Scottish born Spence was also a great car enthusiast who bought the Lancia as an appropriate gesture whilst he was working on his design for the British Embassy in Rome.

However, difficulties with the Italian planning authorities caused Sir Basil to dispose of the Lancia 'in protest' and replace it with a Jaguar, although exactly when is not clear.

In the car's extensive history file, there is the original Lancia Guarantee in Spence's name (with his Can...