A car that epitomizes the English sports tourer of the 1930s, this superb Lagonda was recently released from the collection of renowned Pabst Brewing Co. heir August U. "Augie" Pabst. A prominent and well-known racer and enthusiast, Pabst acquired the Lagonda in 1968 from Executive Motorcars in San Francisco. He would carefully conserve the car during more than four decades of ownership. The Lagonda of the 1930s was a high-quality and quite exclusive British car produced at the Staines, Middlesex works founded in 1906 by former opera singer Wilbur Gunn. Of Scottish descent, Gunn was born near Springfield, Ohio in 1859—both his firm and its products were named after the Lagonda River that ran near his American birthplace. Gunn had built and raced motorcycles in England before venturing into automobiles. Following Wilbur Gunn's death in 1920, a trio of senior managers assumed direction of Lagonda. They soon introduced new sports models, while also upgrading the firm's luxury cars. In 1935, Lagonda was acquired by A. P. Good, who would produce a series of especially notable models before turning the operation over to Aston Martin's David Brown in 1947. The Lagonda 16/80 chassis was introduced in 1932. Its six-cylinder engine was a 2.5L Crossley design, upgraded with twin SU carburetors and assembled by Lagonda to Lagonda standards. By 1934, a four-speed transmission with pre-selector gear-change was also specified. Rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel mechanical brakes with 16-inch drums contributed to drivability. Total Lagonda 16/80 production is reported to have been 261. Providing comfortable seating for four adults, the sporting Vanden Plas four-seater tourer coachwork fitted to this 16/80 is well suited to the Lagonda long chassis it is mounted upon. A Lagonda such as this originally listed in 1934 for approximately 2,500 pounds sterling—Packard LeBaron V-12 money in equivalent U.S. dollars. Evidencing an older cosmetic restoration, the Lagonda has recently received major service, including an overhaul of the water pump, and is said by the vendor to run and drive well. Documentation of prior ownership by Augie Pabst includes the purchase order, original bill of sale and pertinent correspondence from Executive Motors. "This quality automobile appears to have had no modifications and looks to have been only very gently used for at least the past 42 years, and probably longer," the vendor states of this delightful, remarkably preserved and especially appealing vintage sports tourer.
A car that epitomizes the English sports tourer of the 1930s, this superb Lagonda was recently released from the collection of renowned Pabst Brewing Co. heir August U. "Augie" Pabst. A prominent and well-known racer and enthusiast, Pabst acquired the Lagonda in 1968 from Executive Motorcars in San Francisco. He would carefully conserve the car during more than four decades of ownership. The Lagonda of the 1930s was a high-quality and quite exclusive British car produced at the Staines, Middlesex works founded in 1906 by former opera singer Wilbur Gunn. Of Scottish descent, Gunn was born near Springfield, Ohio in 1859—both his firm and its products were named after the Lagonda River that ran near his American birthplace. Gunn had built and raced motorcycles in England before venturing into automobiles. Following Wilbur Gunn's death in 1920, a trio of senior managers assumed direction of Lagonda. They soon introduced new sports models, while also upgrading the firm's luxury cars. In 1935, Lagonda was acquired by A. P. Good, who would produce a series of especially notable models before turning the operation over to Aston Martin's David Brown in 1947. The Lagonda 16/80 chassis was introduced in 1932. Its six-cylinder engine was a 2.5L Crossley design, upgraded with twin SU carburetors and assembled by Lagonda to Lagonda standards. By 1934, a four-speed transmission with pre-selector gear-change was also specified. Rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel mechanical brakes with 16-inch drums contributed to drivability. Total Lagonda 16/80 production is reported to have been 261. Providing comfortable seating for four adults, the sporting Vanden Plas four-seater tourer coachwork fitted to this 16/80 is well suited to the Lagonda long chassis it is mounted upon. A Lagonda such as this originally listed in 1934 for approximately 2,500 pounds sterling—Packard LeBaron V-12 money in equivalent U.S. dollars. Evidencing an older cosmetic restoration, the Lagonda has recently received major service, including an overhaul of the water pump, and is said by the vendor to run and drive well. Documentation of prior ownership by Augie Pabst includes the purchase order, original bill of sale and pertinent correspondence from Executive Motors. "This quality automobile appears to have had no modifications and looks to have been only very gently used for at least the past 42 years, and probably longer," the vendor states of this delightful, remarkably preserved and especially appealing vintage sports tourer.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
