A STUNNING Alvis originally owned by legendary World War II fighter pilot Sir Douglas Bader is coming up for sale.
The TC21/100 Drophead Coupe was supplied new to the war hero – the subject of hit 1950s film Reach For The Sky – in 1954.
It is now expected to fetch between £70,000 and £85,000 at the H&H Classics auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on September 8.
The Alvis has been well maintained since undergoing an extensive restoration during 2010-2012 and has frequently been shown at the Goodwood Revival.
It comes with extensive paperwork, including works build sheets, owner’s handbook, sales brochure, period press articles and correspondence.
H&H Classics head of sales Damian Jones said: “Whoever secures this wonderful car will own something quite unique, the very first Alvis bought by one of Britain’s legendary heroes.”
RAF daredevil Bader lost both legs in December 1931 after crashing while attempting some aerobatics and was retired against his will on medical grounds.
But he returned to active service after the outbreak of the war and was credited with many enemy encounter victories over Dunkirk and in the Battle of Britain.
Later captured by the Germans, he made numerous escape attempts and was eventually sent to the infamous Colditz Castle camp.
In later life, he became a campaigner for the disabled and received a knighthood in 1976. He died in 1982.
