1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Drophead Coupe

Alan P. Good and Dick Watney rescued Lagonda from receivership in the mid-1930s, outbidding Rolls-Royce to acquire it. They quickly reorganized the business as LG Motors and recruited W.O. Bentley as chief engineer, along with most of his former engineering staff at Rolls-Royce. Bentley re-developed the existing M45 in the improved LG45, offered in two wheelbase lengths measuring 129- and 135-inches. Improvements and modifications included softer springs, updates to the M45's 'twin-plug' 4.5-liter Meadows engine, and new Girling brakes.

Production of the LG45 lasted from 1935 through the end of 1937 in four batches or 'sanctions.' The Sanction 1 LG45 engines were similar to the M45. A twin-magneto ignition was added to the Sanction 2 cars, and the Sanction 3 introduced a completely redesigned cylinder head with directly-mounted carburetors. The Sanction 4 featured essentially the same engine as found in the Sanction 3. Gearboxes included the 'right hand' G9, Lagonda's first with synchromesh on the third and top, followed by the 'center change' G10, which added synchromesh to the second gear.

Racing versions of the LG45 won its class at the French Grand Prix for sports cars and the Spa 24 Hours. They finished second in the Tourist Trophy, and beat Bentley at the Brooklands 500-mile race.

During the LG45 models production lifespan, just 278 examples were produced and as few as 100 active and working examples are known to exist.

This particular example was ordered on March 24th, 1937, and purchased on June 18th, 1937, by Richard Riegel, an American from Wilmington, Delaware. The next owner was Walter Emery who was working in the engineering department at Princeton University, reputed to have acquired the car from a Princeton student behind on gambling debts.

This LG45 subsequently lost its engine and fell into dereliction. It was later found along with 12232 (another LG45 Drophead Coupe) by Rudy Wood-Muller, who purchased both cars from the McGowan brothers of Branford, Connecticut.

The decision was made to restore 12224 from the chassis up including the engine and body of 12232. The work was completed in 1991, and the Lagonda embarked on a maiden voyage to France. After a main-bearing failure, the engine was switched from 12241, which powers the Lagonda today. After its return to the United States, the Lagonda was preserved and shown by Mr. Wood-Muller.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2017