Description
The Lagonda motor company was founded in 1906 at Staines, in Middlesex, by the American Wilbur Gunn (1859-1920), who named it after a river near his hometown of Springfield, Ohio. After building up a solid reputation, Lagonda primarily focused on light cars before returning to sporting and luxury models in the mid-1920s with the launch of the 14/ 60. This 2. 0‑litre four‑cylinder model was joined in 1929 by Lagonda's first six‑cylinder engine, the 3‑litre, but in the mid‑1930s cars fitted with Meadows engines were seen as the way forward. Shown at the Olympia Show in 1933 and based on the preceding ZM 3‑litre model, the M45 was equipped with Meadows’ 4. 5‑litre six‑cylinder engine with twin plugs, which allowed saloons to reach 90 mph and tourers to hit “the ton” in favourable conditions. These large‑displacement Lagondas, of exceptional beauty, made a strong impression on their debut, and here we present a fine example of this elegant, pure‑blood, very British post‑war specimen.
Chassis Z10646 was sold new in April 1934 and registered in the United Kingdom under the number “LJ 9777”. The name of the first owner is recorded in various forms, but it is believed to have been Commander Hugh Stewart Shaw, DSC, RN, a naval officer. The car first appears in the Lagonda Club records in July 1961, when it belonged to Commander H. S. Shaw, who kept it at least until 1966. At the end of 1979, the Lagonda was in Belgium after being purchased from Paradise Garage in London. It was registered with a Belgian number plate in November 1980. It changed owners in 1997 and since then the Lagonda has been restored and maintained with no expense spared and has taken part in numerous events with its then owner, notably the National Classic Tour where it won Division 1. The car was sold in 2019 to a well‑known Belgian collector, who prepared it for the Yangtze River Delta International Classic Cars Open, a long‑distance race that crossed China. The Lagonda fared perfectly and, on returning to Belgium, it was sold to another enthusiast who has used it several times in the Flying Scotsman. The engine was completely rebuilt in 2021 by Van Giersbergen, a renowned Dutch engine builder, and the car has just been overhauled and fully checked by Jansen Restorations. It is now ready for a new owner seeking a pre‑war car perfect for entering any event worldwide.
Driving this Lagonda is a fantastic experience. The Meadows high‑torque engine is very powerful, making it a very fast pre‑war car. The engine note that accompanies it is fantastic, and the long wheelbase also makes this car very stable. In addition, the Lagonda has generous ground clearance, which makes it very suitable for long‑distance rallies such as Beijing‑Paris and many other wonderful events. A great deal of documentation accompanies the car, including numerous photos of foreign events in which former owners participated. All the rally stickers inside the bonnet speak volumes about the vehicle’s versatility as a grand tourer.
The Lagonda M45 is one of the finest British pre‑war sports cars and a perfect car for the driver, capable of covering long distances in comfort while remaining sporty. Moreover, a Lagonda M45 remains relatively affordable, especially when compared with other powerful British cars such as Bentley or Invicta. A test drive with this wonderful machine can only confirm it.
