1934 Lagonda M45 Sports Tourer

This Lagonda M45 was built by E.D. Abbott of Farnham, England, as a replica of the Lagonda factory's short-chassis Rapide race car that was so successful in the Tourist Trophy and the 24 Hours of LeMans. It was originally shown by Abbott at the 1934 London Motor Show, with these graceful flowing fenders, which differ from cycle fenders seen on the race cars. It was bought straight off the stand by the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. The young Maharaja was a keen motorist, and owned many sporting cars in his lifetime. After arriving in India, the car remained with the royal family long after India gained its independence in 1947. In 1966, it was bought by an enthusiast in Ahmadabad who kept it until 1989, when its present owner was able to add it to a collection of former royal cars.