Beschreibung:

Colour: Black Cylinders: 6; 4,453cc Gears: 4 + reverse Power: 120bhp approximately Produced: 1935 (M45R) Production: 53 (approximately, M45R) ‘Lagonda cars have always upheld a reputation for effortless fast touring and the pride of ownership which fine detail work and distinguished coachbuilding can give. The 4½-Litre model retains these characteristics, but scores considerably over its forebears by its high power-to-weight ratio. The chassis is no bigger than the three litre car, and there is no suggestion of clumsiness, heavy steering or the other drawbacks which often accompany the large engined car.’ - Motor Sport, January 1934. The Lagonda car company was founded in 1906 in Staines, Middlesex by the American Wilbur Gunn (1859-1920) who named it after a river near his home town of Springfield, Ohio. Gunn had started out building motorcycles in the garden of his house in Staines with some success, including winning the 1905 London to Edinburgh Trial. In 1907 he launched his first car and in 1910 won the Moscow to St Petersburg Trial driving a 16/18hp model. Having established its reputation, Lagonda concentrated mainly on the production of light cars before reverting to sporting and luxury models in the mid-1920s with the introduction of the 14/60. This four-cylinder, 2.0-litre model was joined in 1929 by the first of Lagonda’s own sixes - the 3-Litre - but by the mid-1930s the Meadows-engined cars were seen as the way forward. Introduced at the 1933 Olympia Show and based on the preceding ZM 3-Litre model, the M45 deployed Meadows’ 4½-litre, twin-plug six to good effect, saloons being capable of reaching 90mph and tourers ‘the ton’ under favourable conditions. ‘A short run on one of the first of the 4½-Litre Lagonda models, with an open four-seater body, left a vivid impression not only of brilliant acceleration and sheer performance, but of a car delightfully silent and easy running in a way that can be achieved to the fullest extent only by a big-engined machine working well inside its limits,’ reported The Autocar in 1933. A team of three specially prepared short-chassis cars (effectively the soon-to-be-announced M45 Rapide) prepared by Lagonda main agents Fox & Nicholls performed creditably at the 1934 RAC Tourist Trophy at Ards, and the following year one of these TT cars driven by John Hindmarsh and Luis Fontes won the Le Mans 24-Hour endurance classic outright. Endowed with such an impeccable pedigree, the Lagonda 4½-Litre quickly established itself as a favourite among the wealthy sporting motorists of its day - World Land Speed Record holder Sir Malcolm Campbell was one many high-profile M45 owners - and 70-plus years on this model, and the M45R Rapide in particular, remains a much sought after classic. The car offered here started its life as an M45R Rapide with a standard body produced by coachbuilders E D Abbott Limited of Farnham, Surrey, which in 1934 had received a major contract from Lagonda to provide ‘factory’ bodywork. After WW2, the car was returned to the Abbott company (which closed in 1972) to receive its current ‘Le Mans replica’ bodywork, which was a costly but highly effective transformation for sporting use. The car resided in the famous collection of Abraham Kogan until the end of the 1990s, and was subsequently sold to the USA from which it returned to Europe in 2004. This Lagonda M45R is an exciting ready-to-go, very well sorted out driver with astonishing power and equally capable handling. Supporting documentation includes US Certificate of Title and FIVA Indentity Card. CEE taxes have been paid and the car will be provided with CEE registration when sold. • Charismatic marque • One of only 53 made • Eligible for a wide variety of prestigious events 1935 Lagonda M45R Rapide « Le Mans Replica » Tourer Carrosserie : ED Abbott Châssis no. Z11145R Moteur no. 2895 Couleur : Noir Cylindrée : 6 cylindres de 4,453 litres Boîte de vitesses : 4 rapports plus marche arrière Puissance : Environ 120 che