1936 Lagonda LG45 Tourer

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. This four-cylinder, 2-litre model was joined in 1929 by the first of Lagonda's own sixes - the 3-Litre - but by the mid-1930s the Meadows-engined cars were seen as the way forward. Introduced at the 1933 Olympia Show and based on the preceding ZM 3-litre model, the M45 deployed Meadows' 4½-litre, twin-plug six to good effect, saloons being capable of reaching 90mph and tourers the 'ton' under favourable conditions.

A team of three specially prepared short-chassis cars (effectively the soon-to-be-announced M45 Rapide) prepared by Lagonda main agents Fox & Nicholls performed creditably at the 1934 RAC Tourist Trophy at Ards, and the following year one of these TT cars driven by John Hindmarsh and Luis Fontes won the Le Mans 24-Hour endurance classic outright.

Under W O Bentley's technical direction the big Lagonda became more refined: the M45's successor - the LG45 - gaining synchromesh gears, flexible engine mounts and centralised chassis lubrication among many other improvements. Endowed with such an impeccable pedigree, the 4½-litre Lagonda quickly established itself as a favourite among the wealthy sporting motorists of its day.  A mere 278 LG45s were produced between 1936 and 1937 and the model remains a much sought-after classic, however, of those 278 only 25 are believed to have been delivered as Tourers such as this offering and consequently these rare derivatives have always been coveted and rarely come to market, making this a wonderful opportunity.

We understand that the first owner of this stunning LG45 was, Lord Burghley, the Olympic Athlete who became the 6th Marquess of Exeter in 1956. He inspired the scene in the film “Chariots of Fire “ when Harold Abrahams ran round the Great Court at Trinity College in the time it takes for the college clock to toll midnight!  Burghley actually accomplished this feat in his final year at Cambridge and was the first to do it taking 43.6 seconds to cover the 406 yards.

Our vendor purchased the Lagonda a couple of years ago from Hyman Ltd., the well-respected US dealer in all things classic, and at that time it was finished in Old English White with dark red wire wheels, a tan leather interior and displaying an odometer reading of 98,161 miles. Surprisingly, in the photographs accompanying Hyman’s sales literature, the car is seen wearing its UK registration number, CLW 296, so presumably it had been part of a private collection and not used on US roads.

Despite the fact that the car’s bodywork and trim appeared in good condition all round, our vendor decided that he wanted to totally repaint and retrim the Tourer and the result is truly spectacular. It’s now resplendent in Gloss Black with a depth of shine that is quite remarkable, the wire wheels are also in black (shod with new Dunlops all round) and the weather equipment is all new. The interior has been superbly retrimmed in a glorious Apple Green and displays a level of craftsmanship rarely seen with not a detail missed. The engine bay can only be described as immaculate and every other mechanical area that’s visible has been thoughtfully presented, not over-restored but just the way you would hope to find it. We could write further chapters about this impressive motor car but suggest that the best way to assess this beautiful and charismatic Lagonda is simply to come along and view it. With only 25 ever built and far fewer remaining, it may be your only chance to see one.

With a Le Mans pedigree, dependable Meadows 4½-litre engine and smoothly operating transmission, the LG45 offers a great package of heritage, modern convenience and reliability and in this case, with its interesting provenance and amazing presentation, 12013 deserves your serious consideration.