Lagonda V12 Short Chassis Saloon by Freestone and Webb 1938
General description :
Vintage and Prestige are proud to offer this 1938 Lagonda V12 Short Chassis Saloon by Freestone and Webb for Sale.
Registration: EX 4939
Engine and Body no: 14033
Engine Type: V12/92
A quite remarkable piece of automotive engineering, the W O Bentley-designed Lagonda V12 was one of the outstanding British models of its day and one of the exclusive handful of 1930s road cars that could exceed 100mph in standard tune.
First seen in 1936, the Lagonda V12 did not commence deliveries until 1938 and only 189 had been built before the coming of WW2 ended production. The advanced chassis employed double-wishbone independent front suspension and was available with a varied choice of coachwork, including limousine. Frank Feeley, stylist of Aston Martin's post-war 'DB' cars, was responsible for the elegant factory bodywork. As usual, the short-chassis Rapide roadster provided even more performance. The V12's announcement demonstrated that the revitalised company was very much back in business, an impression Lagonda's decision to enter the 1939 Le Mans 24-Hour Race can only have enhanced. The marque already possessed a creditable Le Mans record, a short-chassis 4½-Litre driven by John Hindmarsh and Luis Fontes having won the endurance classic outright in 1935.
In October 1938 a Lagonda V12 saloon driven by Earl Howe had covered 101.5 miles at Brooklands in a single hour, despite having to stop to change a burst tyre, and this together with other high-speed tests, during which the car had shown complete reliability, indicated that it would be a highly suitable candidate for reviving British prestige at Le Mans.
Accordingly, it was decided to enter a two-car team in 1939 with the aim of securing valuable data, and then to mount a full-strength challenge the following year. In the race the two streamlined two-seater Lagondas fared better than expected, Messrs Brackenbury and Dobson finishing in third place with Lords Selsdon and Waleran fourth. Had a less conservative race strategy been employed, then either might have won.
Full History is as follow:
29/07/38
Chassis displayed at University Motors. This Sanction 1 and fairly early in the short chassis production run of 111 vehicles which started with 14010.
Purchased and sent to Freestone and Webb for coachwork to be built and fitted. This is one of only 2 with this coachwork, the other is owned by Dr. Oetker and Shaun De Ville.
25/03/39
Registered to Eric Mackintosh of Brooke House, Brooke, Norwich. Used briefly then laid up during war and then used again between 1945 to 1948.
23/08/54
Bought by Herbert Frederick Bates of 60 Addington Gardens, London, W14 and used regularly from 1958 to 1963
06/07/63
Bought by David S. Johnson of 14 Queensway, Bletchley, purchased at Beaulieu.
02/12/70
Bought by Mr. Wicks of Colchester via Vintage Motor Company of Highgate.
30/09/73
On sale at Booker Rally, Wycombe. Known to have spent time being worked on at Barrie Price’s Workshop and owned by Mazjup at this time.
19/02/84
Taken to South Africa by Gordon Struss and returned for sale in the UK in 1990 following his murder in Johannesburg.
02/07/90
Bought by Robert Henderson of 4 Tynward Close, Coventry.
10/02/91
Purchased by A.B. Price LTD or Hardwick House, Studley who was a dealer and workshop. Sale handled by Mr D Lewis of Stonypiece Farm.
11/06/91
Bought by Richard John Proctor, Bluebell Drive, Knowle Road, Mellor, Stockport. MOT shows 3611 miles. In October 1992 MOT mileage shows 3678.
09/11/94
Bought by Alan Laken of Prices, Risborough, purchased from Staffordshire E-Type Centre.
From March 2001.
Full Mechanical restoration undertaken by Bishopgray in June 2002, sufficiently restored to be driveable with MOT showing 3779 miles, and in July 2003 MOT shows 4813 miles.
21/02/07
Purchased by Alistair Crawford, mileage 5033.
01/11/12
Mileage 7186.
2014-2017.
Purchased by Mark Butterworth.
Brakes and steering attended to, Used on Cheshire Riders outings.
Driven to Normandy Landings for D Day celebrations in 2015 and reunion on Juno beach.
Appeared in Daily Mail on Dambusters flypast in Derbyshire where it carried the oldest surviving crew member.
Stripped for complete body restoration which was completed between 2014-2016.
All bodywork removed, all aluminium stripped and repaired where necessary. Sunroof removed rebuilt and new drainage channels fitted.
New brackets for A and B posts, new ash frame to rear boot area and carrier. New glass fitted all round. All chromework removed, stripped, prepared and chrome plated (239 separate items).
All previous colours were removed, cream originally, the factory drawings were then consulted and the current colour scheme was decided as the most appropriate and in keeping.
This Lagonda is in perfect running and driving order, cosmetically beautiful and in our showroom ready for viewing.
http://www.vintagerollsroycecars.com/sales/1297/1938-lagonda-v12-short-chassis-saloon-by-freestone-and-webb/
1938 Lagonda V12 Short Chassis Saloon by Freestone and Webb is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Grays by Vintage Prestige for £300000.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Lagonda Model : V12 Model Version : Short Chassis Saloon by Freestone and Webb Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1938 Sub type : Sedan Location : Essex
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About Lagonda
Ah, the story of Lagonda, a true gem in the tapestry of British automotive history! Grab a cuppa, and let me take you on a journey through the annals of this illustrious marque.Chapter 1: The Early Years (1906-1947)
Picture this: It's 1906, and a chap by the name of Wilbur Gunn decides to put his name on the map. He establishes Lagonda Limited, and from the get-go, he's got a penchant for the fancy. Lagonda starts off with motorcycles, and Gunn even races them himself. But hold on, it gets better. By the '20s, Lagonda sets its sights on four-wheeled wonders.
Cue the roaring '20s and the birth of some exquisite machines. The Lagonda 11.1, 14/60, and the M45 Rapide become the darlings of the British motoring scene. Sleek, stylish, and a joy to drive, these Lagondas are the epitome of pre-war elegance. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, along comes the mighty LG45.
Chapter 2: The Post-war Resurgence (1947-1974)
The war's over, and Lagonda dusts off its overalls to get back in the game. David Brown, the man behind Aston Martin, steps in, and suddenly, Lagonda is under the wing of a fellow British automotive enthusiast. The '50s see a revival with the DB2 and DB3, and the Lagonda Rapide makes its grand entrance.
But hold onto your flat caps, my friend, because the '60s usher in the mighty Lagonda Rapide sedan, a true symbol of luxury and power. Meanwhile, the stunning Aston Martin DB5 steals the spotlight in the spy world, but Lagonda keeps its cool.
Chapter 3: The Wedge Era (1976-1990)
Fast forward to the '70s, and Lagonda throws a curveball with the Lagonda Series 2. What's that you say? A wedge-shaped wonder with digital dashboards and space-age styling? Absolutely. It's the era of excess, and Lagonda embraces it with open arms. The Series 3 follows suit, and suddenly, Lagonda is the epitome of '80s opulence.
Chapter 4: The Modern Revival (1990s-Present)
The '90s and beyond see Lagonda in a bit of a slumber. But worry not, my fellow enthusiast, because the brand gets a wake-up call in the 21st century. Aston Martin, ever the steward of British motoring glory, revives Lagonda with the Taraf and the Vision Concept.
And there you have it, the tale of Lagonda, a marque that has weathered the winds of time with style, sophistication, and a dash of British eccentricity. So, tip your hat to Lagonda, a name that will forever echo through the halls of automotive elegance. Cheerio!