Beschreibung:

The Lagonda company was founded in 1906 at Staines, Middlesex by an American, Wilbur Gunn, who had named the company after a river near to his birthplace in Springfield, Ohio, United States. Mr Gunn had originally built motorcycles in the garden of his house in Staines with reasonable success, including a win on the 1905 London -Edinburgh trial. In 1907 he launched his first car, the 20-hp, 6-cylinder Torpedo, which he used to win the Moscow-St. Petersburg trial of 1910.This success produced a healthy order for exports to Russia which continued until 1914. The first of the company's sports models was launched in 1925 as the 14/60 with a twin-cam 1954cc, four cylinder engine and hemispherical combustion chambers. The car was designed by Arthur Davidson who had come from Lea-Francis. A higher output engine came in 1927 with the 2 litre Speed Model which could be had supercharged in 1930. Very powerful brakes set a new tradition which the company was never to abandon. A 'semi-sports' model of the 14/60 led in 1927 to a new, much more sporting design, the Speed Model, using a revised version of the 2 litre engine in a lighter sports four-seater open body. Offering Bentley looks and performance for half the price, it was an instant success and transformed the company's image to one we recognise today. A top speed of 80mph was guaranteed and was achievable, given a suitable road. In 1926 the company had introduced a six-cylinder car, the 16/65, which used a longer wheelbase chassis very similar to the 14/60, but fitted with a push-rod engine of 2.4 litres and had very few parts in common with the smaller one. It was tuned very conservatively to propel stately saloons and limousines. Performance was indistinguishable from the 14/60. A year later though, the engine was enlarged to 2.7 litres with little effect. The final car of the 1920's was the 3-litre using a 2931-cc 6-cylinder engine. This continued until 1933 when the engine grew to 3181cc. and when coupled with some attractive, preferably open, coachwork, proved a winning combination leading to some success in, for example, the Monte Carlo Rally in the early thirties. Originally built as a pillarless saloon, Type ZMBS ST34, in 1934, records show that it was acquired by a Philip Dennis Fernandes Ferreira and used regularly between his homes in Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire. Hostilities then arrived and it was re-bodied to a truck-like configuration and pressed into service by the Home Guard. (Move over Jonesey!) Not only did this serve the war effort but also, coincidentally, qualified for an increased fuel allowance. At the end of war, a drophead body was fitted and the car was subsequently sold. The story picks up again in 1957 when the car was transferred to Mr. Patrick Thomas Dosell in Birmingham. A year later, it was sold on again to Cecil John Wragg who relates a story that the car had once been owned by a gentleman in the RAF who had replaced much of the copper pipework courtesy of the MoD. This Lagonda has led a busy life and obviously charmed those who knew her, as in 1961, it was re-acquired again by Mr. Ferreira. In 1962, the engine was overhauled by Boneham & Turner of Mansfield and shortly after, a new T4 body was fitted. It is important to note that this was reported to be new old-stock and not a recreation although the next owner, a Mr. Neill, is of the opinion that the body came from a 2 litre Continental that was in the process of stripping for competition. It certainly had a new radiator with new SU carburettors fitted, re-built wheels and all new tyres. It has also been re-trimmed in its current burgundy trim while still incorporating the original saloon seating making for an extremely comfortable touring experience as the owner and his wife can attest to. A final change of ownership took place in 1973 before the vendor takes over in 2008. The question is what does one want a classic car for? If it is to polish relentlessly and tow to car shows