Overview

Car Type DB 2.6
Date in Production 1948 to 1953
Number Sold 512
How many exist today?

Technical Details

Track Rear
Track Front
Length
Wheelbase
Kerb Weight
RAC Rating
Engine Manufacturer
Type
Firing Order
Carburettor.
Dynamo
Bore X Stroke
Ignition
Displacement
Fuel System
Clutch
Gearbox
Coolant
Specific Output

Information

The Company was unable to put the 2.6 into production for lack of a steel ration and David Brown bought the company in 1947, as he did Aston Martin, and merged them in 1948.   The Bentley designed engine and chassis were the company’s chief assets and they and the car works were transferred to Feltham. More prototype 2.6’s appeared using a David Brown S430 synchromesh gearbox and, in this form, the car went into production early in 1949.   Most of the bodies were built by the factory but a few went to coachbuilders, notably Tickford who slowly took over production of more and more cars.   The Bentley 2.6 engine was later used in the DB2 and DB2/4 Aston Martins, the latter eventually in the 3 litre form.

The 2 & ½ Litre Lagonda was announced in late 1945 with prototype testing commencing during that year.  Facing financial and other difficulties, including steel rationing the Lagonda company was put up for sale in 1947 and was purchased by David Brown who went ahead with getting the model into production. All round independent suspension, cruciform chassis and inboard rear brakes were some key features of the design. Initially transmission for the 2580 cc, 6 cylinder, twin overhead camshaft engine was a Cotal electric gearbox but this was very quickly replaced by a David Brown S430 gearbox with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears. Column gear change was the norm and brakes were Lockheed. A handful of cars were assembled during 1948 with production ramping up during 1949.  Coachwork was by Lagonda to begin with. Later on an increasing number were built by Tickford. Through to late 1952 the 2.6, as it had become generally referred to, underwent few changes. A Mk II version appeared at the 1952 Motor Show and at first glance it looked very much like its predecessor. The bulkhead and dashboard layouts had been revised and the rear doors incorporated the front section of the rear wheel arch. Only 10 Mk II saloons were built of which 2 at least survive.  It is difficult to be precise since a few chassis were rebodied by the works but overall production of the 2.6 was about 122 convertibles and 390 saloons.

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