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 |  | View more photos Drophead Coupe Designer: Frank Freeley Chassis Num: 12334 Build Num: UK Registration No: HFO 565 |
This 1938 Lagonda LG6 Drophead Coupe is painted in British Racing Green with a beige leather interior and matching convertible top. It was restored many years ago but has aged nicely. The design of the vehicle was handled by Frank Feeley with open coachwork by Lagonda.
In 2008 it was brought to the Automobiles of Amelia presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $285,000 - $350,000. It was one of the highlights of the event, though several other cars at the auction brought in over a million each. It is an elegant automobile and possibly one of W.O. Bentley's greatest masterpieces. This gorgeous machine was sold at auction for the sum of $247,500 including buyer's premium.
 | | View more photos Rapide Drophead Coupe Designer: Frank Freeley |
Wilbur Gunn was born in 1859 and grew up in Springfield, Ohio. He arrived in England in 1891 where me met Mrs. Constance Grey, his future wife. She was a widower who had lost her husband in 1896. Constance and Gunn married in 1897. In 1898 Wilbur adapted a single cylinder petrol engine to his bicycle. Within time, the Lagonda factory would be built on the property their house. The name Lagonda was named for a creek near Gunn's home. The name 'Lagonda' is Shawnee Native American for a place now called Buck Creek.
Gunn's motorcycle proved to be successful in competition and international competition. Soon, he expanded his offerings to include three-wheeled vehicles with larger capacity engines. Over seventy examples were created. In 1908 Gunn won the London to England reliability trim which earned him the Gold Medal for that year. In 1910 the Moscow-St Petersburg reliability trial was won by Lagonda.
When World War I broke out, the Lagonda factory was morphed to accommodate the war effort. Their primary duties were in building shells. After the war they returned to building automobiles and racers. Shortly thereafter, Gunn passed away, dying in 1920. Gunn's partner, Alf Cranmer, continued the operations. Cranmer had been with the company from 1904 until 1935.
At the 1925 London Motor Show, a two-liter hemispherical four-cylinder model was introduced. It excellent braking and superior construction continued its reputation for power and performance. A more sporting version, the 'speed', was introduced two years later. In 1930 Lagonda adopted a supercharger to their 2-liter motor and achieved a 90-mph top speed.
In 1933 the Lagonda M45 was introduced at the London Motor Show. It came equipped with a Meadows engine of 4453 cc capacity. Lord de Clifford used a prototype to outrun a train traveling from London to Brindisi. The feat was done in 14 hours. Future versions of the M45 were later modified and entered into the 1934 Tourist Trophy and all three entrants finished in strong fashion. Road going versions of these vehicles were later offered to the public.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race was, and still is, one of the most prestigious race. It was grueling for driver, team, and automobile. During the 1920's and 1930's Bentley and Alfa Romeo were the favored victors. In 1935 John Hindmarsh and Luis Fontes drove a Lagonda M45 Rapide 1,868.42 miles averaging 77.85 mph to an overall victory.
Sadly, this victory was not met with increased sales. Part of the decline was new speed restrictions of 30 mph across Britain. Declining sales sent the company into bankruptcy. The company was saved by Alan Good and the company was reformed as LG Motors and WO Bentley employed. Their first introduction was the LG45 which was based on the M45. It was given Girling brakes and a softer suspension. In total 278 examples were offered.
Rolls-Royce had purchased the bankrupt Bentley Motors and W.O. Bentley stayed aboard for a few years before leaving in the summer of 1935. He joined Lagonda as Technical Director and was tasked with creating a new 4.5-liter engine for the Lagonda LG45. The result was a six-cylinder OHV unit that was powerful and refined.
In 1937 Lagonda introduced the LG6 and the Lagonda V12 at the London Motor Show. Production began the following year. W.O. Bentley had created the designs for the chassis featuring independent front suspension by long torsion bars making them much sturdier than their predecessors. The 4.5-liter Meadows engine was used but treated to improvements and modifications which increased the horsepower. The LG6 served as the replacement for the long-running 4.5-Liter Lagonda and did so in fine fashion. It had a top speed of 100 mph with a modern chassis and body that made it extremely desirable and appealing. It benefited from the skills and experience of the legendary W.O. Bentley which makes it one of the greatest automobiles ever constructed.
Records indicate that a mere sixty-three Lgonda LG6s were constructed between 1937 and 1939. Only 50 have survived. It is estimated that around half of the production were dropheads.
Gunn's motorcycle proved to be successful in competition and international competition. Soon, he expanded his offerings to include three-wheeled vehicles with larger capacity engines. Over seventy examples were created. In 1908 Gunn won the London to England reliability trim which earned him the Gold Medal for that year. In 1910 the Moscow-St Petersburg reliability trial was won by Lagonda.
When World War I broke out, the Lagonda factory was morphed to accommodate the war effort. Their primary duties were in building shells. After the war they returned to building automobiles and racers. Shortly thereafter, Gunn passed away, dying in 1920. Gunn's partner, Alf Cranmer, continued the operations. Cranmer had been with the company from 1904 until 1935.
At the 1925 London Motor Show, a two-liter hemispherical four-cylinder model was introduced. It excellent braking and superior construction continued its reputation for power and performance. A more sporting version, the 'speed', was introduced two years later. In 1930 Lagonda adopted a supercharger to their 2-liter motor and achieved a 90-mph top speed.
In 1933 the Lagonda M45 was introduced at the London Motor Show. It came equipped with a Meadows engine of 4453 cc capacity. Lord de Clifford used a prototype to outrun a train traveling from London to Brindisi. The feat was done in 14 hours. Future versions of the M45 were later modified and entered into the 1934 Tourist Trophy and all three entrants finished in strong fashion. Road going versions of these vehicles were later offered to the public.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race was, and still is, one of the most prestigious race. It was grueling for driver, team, and automobile. During the 1920's and 1930's Bentley and Alfa Romeo were the favored victors. In 1935 John Hindmarsh and Luis Fontes drove a Lagonda M45 Rapide 1,868.42 miles averaging 77.85 mph to an overall victory.
Sadly, this victory was not met with increased sales. Part of the decline was new speed restrictions of 30 mph across Britain. Declining sales sent the company into bankruptcy. The company was saved by Alan Good and the company was reformed as LG Motors and WO Bentley employed. Their first introduction was the LG45 which was based on the M45. It was given Girling brakes and a softer suspension. In total 278 examples were offered.
Rolls-Royce had purchased the bankrupt Bentley Motors and W.O. Bentley stayed aboard for a few years before leaving in the summer of 1935. He joined Lagonda as Technical Director and was tasked with creating a new 4.5-liter engine for the Lagonda LG45. The result was a six-cylinder OHV unit that was powerful and refined.
In 1937 Lagonda introduced the LG6 and the Lagonda V12 at the London Motor Show. Production began the following year. W.O. Bentley had created the designs for the chassis featuring independent front suspension by long torsion bars making them much sturdier than their predecessors. The 4.5-liter Meadows engine was used but treated to improvements and modifications which increased the horsepower. The LG6 served as the replacement for the long-running 4.5-Liter Lagonda and did so in fine fashion. It had a top speed of 100 mph with a modern chassis and body that made it extremely desirable and appealing. It benefited from the skills and experience of the legendary W.O. Bentley which makes it one of the greatest automobiles ever constructed.
Records indicate that a mere sixty-three Lgonda LG6s were constructed between 1937 and 1939. Only 50 have survived. It is estimated that around half of the production were dropheads.
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Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com
Automobile information, history, and statistics from concept to production. | © 1998-2008 Conceptcarz.com