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Hi Folks,
I have recently unearthed a “Barn find” 1934 16/80 project which I now wish to pass on. I knew about it for about the last 15 years because the previous owner used to own one of my other Lagondas, but up till now I was too polite to ask him whether he wanted to sell this one.
I have combined it with some of my spares and it now a pretty complete rolling chassis – minus engine and gearbox, though I am pretty comfortable that a 16/80 (or 2 Litre) engine and gearbox can be found. It has bonnet and sides but will need a complete new body and wings. I know someone who would make these.
It has a chassis plate and is known to the Club, though there are no records of a registration number. Most of the replacement spares are available from the Club.
This project will make a great entry into Lagonda ownership for someone willing to use a wire brush and maybe do their own woodwork. The last 16/80 chassis project I knew of was turned into a V12 engined Lagonda special!
I look forward to helping the new owner restore the car and before advertising it I would welcome enquiries by private message from anyone interested in a discreet sale amongst enthusiasts. For the time being I would prefer not to give out further information in the open forum.
Colin M34
Could I get a 289 hemi in there?
Hi David
Interesting thought – would it get a VSCC “Buff Form?”
We did think about a 2.5 litre Riley engine. That would make it go well!
Colin
Hi Guys,
The project will now have the correct engine. This came via connections in the Lagonda Club.
Colin
Hi folks
Thanks to eBay this project now has a body! Item 271565144077 is now sitting on the barn find 16/80 chassis. Not as beautiful as a correct T5 body but good enough for a special.
M34
Colin,
well done!
I see on eBay that the body is being posted to you. Hope you have a big letterbox.
Car is for sale as a project – Chassis from the edge of Dartmoor, Engine from Northampton, body from Wales and ENV 110 gearbox from Lancashire!
Buyer from…..?
I hope we can find a suitable person to take on what is a very affordable Lagonda project.
Colin
Following Alistair’s kind words about the body I have added some pictures.
The first one shows the chassis in the barn, and the second one shows it sitting on axle stands in my yard. Not a bad fit I think.
IMHO the body will do fine while the new owner rebuilds the chassis, engine and gearbox. If they want to do some VSCC events, the body could be used “as is” pending the building of a correct T2/T5 body.
M34
Hi Folks,
Thanks to the helpfulness of fellow Lagonda Club members, the project has now become even more complete!
As can be seen in the attached photo, it now has a complete set of instruments plus a ki-gas starter. A new walnut dashboard will be needed to suit the body, the one shown in the photograph came from a saloon.
It could now do with some wings. I will be on stand R457 at Beaulieu and anyone who wishes to discuss this project with me will be most welcome.
Colin
I thought readers might like to see the latest shot of my barn find project. I took the chassis completely apart and had it blasted, primed and painted with 2-pack chassis paint as per our previous discussion. I decided to have the running gear powder coated and the result is stunning.
I now located a couple of engines and pre selector gearboxes, including the correct ENV110 one. I have done very well with parts and there is now nothing major missing. The chassis is almost fully assembled as a “nut and bolt” rebuild.
I now have two sets of factory wings, bonnets top and sides as well as the front valance. The wings were painted blue so the car is currently somewhat multi-coloured. The next step is to fit running boards to the chassis. Everything will be painted black and should look very smart.
The body is similar to a T1 tourer and the car will be very correct in terms of having the right bits on it. This includes instruments and fittings. It’s amazing what you can find when you look or have friends in the Lagonda Club.
I will try to complete it this winter and then sell it as a fully restored car next year.
The picture is taken in my centrally heated workshop. Outside it is cold and rainy. Inside I am having fun…
Colin M34
That’s frankly amazing, Colin.
To go from a scant collection of a few odd parts and end up with pretty well all the right ones for a particular model…well done!
What could so easily just have become another bitza special will instead add another Lagonda to the ranks…excellent.
Laurence
Hi Laurence
Thank you very much for your kind words.
A very well known restorer “based on the Berkshire, Hampshire Borders” has been very helpful. He regularly has authentic Lagonda bodies made for him and reckons a frame would be about ?8k. I will go as far as I can with correctness so a new owner (who ever it is) can enjoy the car with the existing bodywork, knowing that it can be upgraded later to make a really good car.
Colin
Hi Colin,
Keep up the good work!
I am interested in your chassis painting technique. I am not familiar with the 16/80 chassis – does it come apart as the LG45 chassis? The side rails and cross members are separate items bolted together? Contemplated whether paint the chassis in pieces but wondered if the paint thickness would be an issue when bolting back together? What about the bolts, are they painted?
David
Hi David,
Thanks for your note, I am pleased to respond with some pictures.
The first shows the chassis being completely dismantled to the point where the cross members are riveted in place. This is how it was blasted.
The second shows the chassis back after painting. I had started to put some of the parts on, The springs were all blasted and etch primed.
The third photo shows all the running gear which was powder coated and ready to assemble. This was semi-gloss finish and made the parts absolutely delightful to handle. This is why the job has gone so well.
Paint thickness is an issue so I took the following approach:-
(a) Key machined areas were masked after blasting but before powder coating and they did a good job here. In terms of fitting,
(b) I needed to ream out many of the holes so the bots would go through. I have plenty of fixed and adjustable reamers, the latter being the most useful.
(c) I also had to scrape off the power coating when a part needs to be made to fit using a bearing scraper. I have several of these and I have been taught how to sharpen them. With care, one can get a very good edge on one and this is needed .
(d) I had to run a tap through many holes. I blasted all the original Lagonda bolts and re-used them where I could, cleaning them down with die nuts, Lagonda used a lot of 20 TPI treads on larger bolts and I have accumulated some nice taps and dies in the larger sizes such as 1/2″ x 20 which I have used a great deal for cleaning up threads.
I had loads of zinc plated BSF nuts and the chassis looks quite smart with these left self coloured
Once the chassis is fully assembled, areas that show will be filled and painted with gloss black, along with the wings and bonnet. It this point I expect most of the bots to be painted over.
I am pleased with the results so far. I had a huge advantage of starting with a pile of bits so very little dismantling was involved. I am as intrigued as everybody else as to how well it comes together for the rest of the job. And I do need to sell it….
Colin M34
Hi Colin,
Many thanks for your detailed explanation and pictures.
What chassis paint and primer did you use?
I like the idea of only powder coating the bits that presumably are fairly easy to take off and re-do should they get badly chipped at a later date. The only items i have had powder coated weren’t a success. Runs and and areas with an obvious thicker layer. I think the trick is to find a powder coater who takes a bit of care and not squeezing them in at the end of the day after his commercial jobs. Have you a recommendation?
David
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