Beschreibung
H&H Classic Auction @Pavilion Gardens | Buxton, Derbyshire
29th November, 2023 13:00
1925 Lagonda 12/ 24 'S' Saloon
The sole survivor known to The Lagonda Club
Estimate
£14, 000 - £16, 000
Registration No: BF 4590
Chassis No: 7517
MOT: Exempt
Thought to be the sole surviving ?S? Saloon example of Lagonda's innovative 12/ 24 'Light Car' design
The oldest known Lagonda Saloon remaining to the Owner's Club
Engine previously overhauled by Ivan Dutton (the renowned Bugatti specialist)
Current ownership since 2010 and participated in The Lagonda Club's French Rally five years later
Although best known as a manufacturer of sports and luxury cars, Lagonda began by making motorcycles and tri-cars before progressing to a series of highly innovative Light Car designs culminating in the 12/ 24 of 1924. Weighing just 12cwt (c. 600kg), the newcomer was of semi-monocoque construction ? like the Lancia Lambda ? whereby its chassis and lower body were assembled as a single integral unit. Powered by a 1460cc four-cylinder engine allied to three-speed manual transmission, the 12/ 24 also featured a revised back axle with spiral bevel final drive and improved rear wheel drum brakes (fronts were an optional extra). Capable of over 50mph and 40mpg, the Lagonda was praised by the contemporary motoring press for its hillclimbing ability and high-quality fittings / fixtures. Of the 2, 250 12/ 24 cars thought to have been completed, just ten survivors are known to the Lagonda Club.
Chassis ?7517? was manufactured new in Saloon guise, and pleasingly still wears its original coachwork finished in Red and Black with Red artillery wheels and leatherette roof (which was renewed in 2003). The oldest known remaining Saloon Lagonda to the club, ?7517? is also the sole surviving Saloon example of Lagonda's innovative 12/ 24 'Light Car' design. The engine was overhauled by the well respected Bugatti specialist Ivan Dutton and, according to our vendor, still runs beautifully propelling this vintage Lagonda to not far short of 50mph. Benefitting from the optional extra front brakes to assist the rear wheel drum brakes, the interior has been retrimmed in the past and presents really well in button-back Black vinyl upholstery, with excellent dashboard and instruments. As is normal these days, it's been fitted with discrete direction indicators in the interests of common sense.
Purchased by the vendor in 2010 ?7517? has been well used across his ownership including a VSCC Light Car Rally in France in 2015 and being a regular at the Country Fair at Chatsworth House, including being driven by Alan Titchmarsh at the event, and is only on sale now due to the vendor?s age. Recently benefitting from a radiator re-core, the Lagonda is offered with a history file, the Lagonda is simply charming and, as the last surviving 12/ 24 Saloon, ?BF 4590? can be correctly described as unique, and is eminently usable on the right days, and will provide many more years of fun with like-minded souls.
