Forum Replies Created
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Peter hi
When you are back, please email me directly, I know the man who can tell you how to get the best out of hand brake adjustment.
He has had his dhc for 40 years plus, and really knows the cars inside out.
Simon
No takers it seems, would suggest that it might be a little over-priced, shame, a beautiful car…
One saloon, does not make an Indian summer, and the result at Bonhams NP last year, should always be discounted, this is a one off, unlikely to be repeated result.
Recent examples include a very nice, road worthy 4-door at Bonham’s in Oxford, making 21k
An Amaranth red car on eBay recently making 19k
Two cars which I know of, sold privately, have both for under 23k.
A further car currently available in the USA, is priced at 16k, needing the paintwork redoing, otherwise, road taxed and ready to go..
A further car, a coupe in Monaco where the owner wants 25k, and needs paintwork refreshing. Hence the higher price, but still unsold of course.
The saloons whilst attractive, are not what the buyers are looking for with Lagonda’s or any 1950’s cars, they want the coupes or the dhc’s….
The Lagonda 3.0 litre dhc being one of the key cars of the period with drop dead gorgeous looks and a great pedigree, and the Mk2 cars being even prettier than the Mk 1as well, hence the prices of these cars are moving upwards.
This car has now been relisted at ca. 26k on eBay.
The 2-door is a rare car, but more seem to have survived than the 4-door cars it seems.
The Lagonda owners club members seemed to have preferred these cars, and stripped out the 4-door saloons to save the 2-door cars.
Tis of course is a complete car, with engine, gearbox, all instruments, all interior, all electrics and lights etc. Albeit a barn find. But of course, unlikely to get this price for his car. The engine needs a large amount of work and one can expect a 5 -10k bill for this alone
When many of the major parts are missing, it tends to become a little more difficult financially to restore the saloons. A very good, complete and road taxed, 4-door car is still cheap; ca. 20-25k.
The problem with these saloons is that the cost of the parts and a proper restoration / time are more expensive than a complete car is worth when restored.
Cars with the wrong engine or incorrectly restored, just don’t hold their value, collectors and buyers are very picky when it comes to post-war classics, even more so with saloons…
Best of luck with your project and you should get a copy of the 2.6 and 3.0 litre owners manual from the Lagonda owners club, it will give you sources for all your missing electrics etc etc..
The car sold for ?130,300 inc. premium
The auction is as follows:
Collectors’ Motor Cars and Automobilia
Bonham’s Auction 20145
Chichester,Goodwood
15 Sep 2012, starting at 11:00 BST.
You will need to join the Lagonda Owners Club to get his details and many of the other helpful members
He does not take part in any forums that I know of.
Kind regards
Simon
When I am back, I will call around for a fried breakfast of nuts, bolts, old chassis parts etc – well done of course.
I bet your good lady loves the use of the oven…
Might I suggest that you get in touch with Alan Heard through the Lagonda owners club. He will have details of original owner and any other susbquent owners known to the club. He is a very helpful and friendly man. He will also be able to tell you what the car registration number is, if you don’t have it on the car.
Quote your chassis number LB290/1/144.
Given the car is a 4 door, it a Mk 2 3.0 litre and from the chassis number, I would suggest build year will be 1955.
The club also sell a very useful service /parts manual for the car, for around 15 pounds. Well worth buying, it will identify the sources of many missing parts on your car.
You can also speak to James Foreshaw at Aston Service Dorset, they will have a copy of the original build sheet for your car. They charge around 40 pounds for this, very useful.
Did the car come with a V5 or old log-book, I guess not, the seller would have stated that on the auction. The Lagonda owners club can help you with these details, very helpful people.
I would advise you to start look for interior upholstery, trim, gauges and any missing chrome work for the car first. These items are all pretty well unique to the Lagonda.
The shared parts are the engine and gearbox with the Aston Martin DB2/4 and Mk 3. Do you have an engine or gearbox for the car ?
The 3.0 litre engines are very scarce and of course expensive, everyone wants a spare 3.0 litre engine. You will find that 2.6 litre engines do appear from time to time, an example just sold on eBay for 1900 pounds. The gearboxes are easier to find and sell for anywhere between 900-2000 pounds.
If you want any advice or help, please drop me an email through the forum.
Kind regards
Simon
Peter hi
Many thanks for these useful points.
This car body was converted around 50 years ago, a rotten saloon body removed and a dhc body made.
BTW, you won’t stop anyone converting saloons, there is such a large financial difference, that it will continue to happen I am sorry to say.
The body looks good, and the price is tempting of course.
As was recently seen with a pre-war Alvis, a super quality rebody, can command a very high price today. It all comes down to how well the rebody was done and all the fitments, interior and hood and how it is perceived in the market place.
But I will wait for a genuine dhc, either lG45 or L6, price difference is not so much today, and much better value than the corresponding tourer.
Simon
Peter ,
I have heard from several people how good the over-drive option is from Four Oaks, and also comparatively low cost, full details are given here:
“Overdrive Conversion – Lagonda 2.6 & 3ltr
An overdrive conversion for the Lagonda 2.6ltr & 3ltrs, this mounts in place of the extension housing on the front of the diff unit.
The extension is removed & a frame is fitted with the lightweight overdrive mounted to the frame, the floor pan under the rear seat needs modification to allow enough space for the nose of the overdrive unit.
This kit has been thoroughly tested in several cars, we have fitted 2 of these in our workshop.
Kit consists of all parts required to fit the conversion inc overdrive & frame, propshaft, speedo cable, inhibit switches & flick switch which is easily fitted in place of the oil level push button (on the ignition switch pad), the overdrive can easily be made to work on 3rd & 4th gears.
Makes Lagonda’s easier & more pleasant to drive, with the gearing somewhere around 24mph per 1000 rpm if using the STD ratio of 4.1:1 in your diff & crossply tyres, slightly less with radial tyres, the overdrive can be engaged at about 50 mph or above.
The overdrive unit is based upon a type which was available in 1960s, this is a little smaller than the A type fitted to the DB MkIII, DB4 & early DB5.
Can be fitted in our workshop or sent out as a kit with full instructions. “
There is a massive cost difference between this and a Tremec (ca. 10k plus shipping), and this way the originality of the car is not compromised. No trim or visible modifications to the car either.
I noted the 3.0 litre saloon which had a Tremec box, required a lot more work. For those interested, take a look at this link with the excellent work of Robin Allum:
http://www.lagonda1949-1958.co.uk/RobinAllum/Allum9.html
Robin never really experienced his DB gear box or its potential, since his engine developed severe problems after only a few runs. He dropped in a Ford V6 and 5-speed box as a temporary solution.
His DB 3.0 litre engine is now rebuilt and equipped with a Tremec T5, an engine adaptor plate, a hydraulic slave unit that fits on the nose of the gearbox and a special clutch plate to suit. He also fitted a hydraulic master cylinder in place of the mechanical mechanism.
He received a retirement lump-sum, which he used to good effect. This is very expensive option for a 3.0 litre Lagonda saloon, it costs as much as a good car costs to buy. For a 3.0 litre dhc it would be a different situation of course.
Personally, I will explore the overdrive option for my 3.0 litre dhc when the time comes.
He is asking 60,000 pounds for the complete car.
That is the reason why it is not selling….
The car reached 22,400 pounds, and did not reach its reserve.
Emails with the seller revealed the car needed a respray
Car curently with no road tax or license.
Speedo currently not working, engine could do with full service etc ……
Dash-board needs a full French polish
Leather upholstery needs some attention.
But a very rare car 50-70 made, surviving examples actually a good number. A favorite of post war Lagonda club members.
A lovely job and very nice enamel work.
Will look very nice back on the car after it has been resprayed