^₁₉₃₉
Lagonda Le Mans
^_Special

This unique automotive piece of art started life as a V12 tourer, which went back to the factory after an accident in 1945.

For the Le Mans Race in 1939, Lagonda put aside 5 short chassis. The were lightened and built, for the race, as a trial run for a more serious attempt in 1940.

The cars came 3rd and 4th.

The car required a new chassis and, with no appropriate chassis available, it was built out on one of the 3 leftover short chassis. The company was essentially bust at this stage and was bought out by Aston Martin.

The previous owner to me realised that the underpinnings of the car were the same as the 2 racing cars, with the same, engine, suspension and running gear and he rebodied the car to the Le Mans style.

I bought the car in 2022 with the MOT just run out. It needed work and so I chose to completely rebuild the vehicle, to our own design of body, on the rebuilt rolling chassis. (It was an era where people bought rolling chassis and had the body work done by coach builders). We have created a vehicle that is lower, sleeker, better built and faster than the 2 original racing cars, but one totally in keeping with the era.

(Interestingly, both original cars were severely damaged by bombing during the war, requiring extensive rebuilding, and so are not original themselves).

The main components are original; chassis, engine, gearbox, differential and the suspension castings. Everything else has been made.

Its very first journey was down the Long Walk, into Windsor Castle for the Concours of Elegance in 2016 . Snagging and further improvements have produced, perhaps, the best Lagonda ever.

It has recently been finally completed. I am no longer going to race it and it deserves a new home.

This automotive piece of art is available to view by appointment only in Cheshire – a private airport is within 10 mins drive and a helicopter can be landed in the grounds (with prior permission)