Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
20th September, 2023 10:00
1934 Lagonda 16/ 80 Special
Recently constructed one-off 'boat-tail' body
Estimate
£50, 000 - £60, 000
Registration No: YVL 904
Chassis No: S10690
MOT: Exempt
Subject to over £40, 000 of works since 2014
Currently owned by a renowned Lagonda Club gearbox specialist
Boat-tail body built by David Wall in 2017
Accompanied by a large history file and fully registered for UK road use.
Based on the chassis of the preceding, and very short-lived, 2-Litre Continental four-cylinder model, whose overall style and good looks it retained, the six-cylinder 16/ 80 was new for the 1933 season. The 16/ 80 employed a 1991cc overhead-valve Crossley engine, reworked by Lagonda to its own specification, and could be ordered with a conventional four-speed manual or pre-selector transmission enabling swift and easy changes. Autocar liked Lagonda's new medium-size model (which took its name from its 16hp RAC rating and 80mph top speed) remarking on its silence, smoothness, brisk acceleration, and effortless high-speed cruising. Three body styles were available: a Weymann panelled saloon; a rakish three-door Tourer body, with driver's seat cut down panel as found on racing cars of the era, and a two-seater sport designed by Vanden Plas (but built by Lagonda). Approximately 260 16/ 80s of all types were made, of which it is believed around half survive.
Chassis S10690 is understood to have been built in 1934. Little is currently known of the early history of the car, however, the current owner (a retired engineer) purchased it in 2014 in poor condition and immediately set about fulfilling a dream of creating the ultimate 2-seat boat-tail Special. The body itself was commissioned in 2017 to be built by David Wall, the Norfolk based Lagonda specialist, which included use of the original 16/ 80 wings. The interior was trimmed in Light Blue leather, which included a complete new set of seats. The car has a new and uprated radiator and the radiator cowling repaired and re-chromed with an electric fan fitted (although the original belt-driven example is available). The owner has a reputation as the "gearbox man" for the Lagonda Club and as a result he overhauled the ENV110 pre-selector gearbox with new linings, bearings and seals. Much work was also completed to the engine - with an overhaul in 2023, during which the cylinder head was refurbished with new phosphur bronze valve guides and the Lagonda Club 16/ 80 specialist's rocker shaft modification for a full flow oil conversion (to counteract the 16/ 80's tendency to show very low oil pressure when hot). The magneto and dynamo have also been rewound and overhauled and invoices for the work are included in the history file.
The vendor has described the car as now running very well after hundreds of hours were spent on the car (and thousands of pounds) and that he has been using the car regularly for runs out. He has now decided to sell the car as he also has another Lagonda which has been in his possession since the 1960s and one of them must now go due to lack of storage space.
