Beschreibung
Having established its reputation by winning the Moscow - St Petersburg Reliability Trial of 1910 with a 30hp six, 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. The latter abandoned the firm's traditional in-unit gearbox in favour of a midships-mounted transmission, but of greater technical interest was the engine.
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Designed by Arthur Davidson, the 2-litre 'four' featured twin camshafts, mounted high in the block, operating inclined valves in hemispherical combustion chambers. Power output of this advanced design was a highly respectable 60bhp.
For the 1929 season, a 'low chassis' Speed Model was introduced, featuring revisions to the frame's front end and a higher-compression engine fitted with twin carburettors. The Speed Model had resulted from the factory's Le Mans effort of 1928, when the 2-Litre driven by Andre D'Erlanger and Douglas Hawkes had finished 11th overall in the 24-Hour endurance classic.
A classic example of racing improving the breed, the 'low chassis' 2-litre possessed markedly superior handling characteristics courtesy of its lower centre of gravity.
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For all its virtues, Davidson's engine was limited by its tortuous induction tracts and in 1930 a supercharged version was introduced to overcome this deficiency.
The 'blower' was mounted vertically in front of the engine, which was fitted with a stronger crankshaft, while a 3-litre rear axle beefed up the transmission. A Powerplus supercharger was specified at first, but most 'blown' 2-litres came with a Cozette. Thus equipped, a 'low chassis' 2-litre was capable of up to 90mph.
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The car we offer here is one of the later Blown cars and is absolutely factory original.
This car is without doubt the best driving 2 Litre Lagonda of any type that we have ever driven. Fantastic and highly recommended car for any pre-war connoisseur.
