Carrosserie Hermann Graber
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coachbuilding, automobile body manufacturing |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founder | Hermann Graber |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Fate | Shifted to vehicle body repairs and maintenance after 1970; acquired by Markus Scharnhorst in 2001 |
| Headquarters | Wichtrach , Switzerland |
Area served | Europe, United States |
Key people | Hermann Graber (founder) |
| Products | Bespoke automobile bodies, vehicle body repairs, vehicle maintenance, car imports (Ferrari importer 1980–1996) |
| Owner | Markus Scharnhorst (since 2001) |
Carrosserie Hermann Graber, often referred to simply as Graber, was a Swiss coachbuilding company situated in Wichtrach within the canton of Bern. Operating from 1927 until 1970, the firm specialized in crafting tailor-made bodies for a range of European and American chassis. Graber maintained a particularly strong alliance with the British automaker Alvis, supplying refined and luxurious bodies for nearly twenty years, notably throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
History
The enterprise originated in 1924 when Hermann Graber, then 21 years old, converted his father’s wheelwright workshop into a facility dedicated to automobile body construction.
Graber’s inaugural vehicle was a two-seat convertible built on a Fiat 509 chassis, completed in 1927. Two years later, a Panhard & Levassor fitted with a Graber body secured victory at the Concours d'Elegance held in St. Moritz, significantly enhancing the company’s prestige across Europe. During the 1930s, Graber produced custom coachwork on chassis from prestigious marques such as Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Bugatti, Duesenberg, and Packard.
Following World War II, as Britain emerged as a leader in European automobile manufacturing, Graber concentrated on producing bespoke bodies for high-end British chassis including Alvis, Bentley, Aston Martin, Lagonda, Rolls-Royce, and Rover.
In 1946, Graber completed its first body for an Alvis chassis and by 1953 had obtained the Swiss distribution rights for Alvis vehicles. In response to a client order in 1955, Graber developed prototypes on Alvis frames that would pave the way for future joint projects.
Throughout the 1950s, the collaboration between Graber and Alvis deepened. After Alvis designer G.T. Smith-Clarke left the company, Graber unveiled the sophisticated yet contemporary Alvis TC 21/100 "Grey Lady" model in 1955. These designs were subsequently produced in series under license by British coachbuilders Willowbrook and later Park Ward, who modified Graber’s Swiss designs to offer increased cabin space. Later Alvis models such as the TD, TE, and TF21 also followed Graber’s design principles.
Simultaneously, Graber maintained limited production of exclusive Alvis-bodied cars within Switzerland—usually not exceeding ten units annually—including four-seat coupes, convertibles, and special four-door variants. These bespoke bodies were distinguished by lower rooflines and more sharply angled pillars compared to standard Alvis models. Upon request, Graber also modified chassis components and running gear.
The passing of Hermann Graber in 1970 marked the end of bespoke body production after roughly 800 vehicles had been crafted. Subsequently, under the leadership of his widow, the company shifted its focus toward vehicle body repairs and maintenance. From 1980 until 1996, Graber operated as an official importer for Ferrari. In 2001, classic car restorer Markus Scharnhorst acquired the remaining assets of the firm and relocated its operations to Toffen.