1955 Lagonda DB 3 Litre Saloon
Entered from a private collection

Registration No: PYR 360
Chassis No: LB290/1/123
MOT: T.B.A

• Thought to be one of just 82 survivors from the 266 DB 3 Litres made (two-door, four-door and convertible)
• Desirable MkII example with the preferred floor shift gearchange and revised dashboard
• Just two families from new (the first of whom retained it for forty-six years)
• Thoroughly recommissioned by the vendor following its disinterment from a barn during 2001 but never restored
• Subtly uprated with a larger brake servo, overdrive and rear parking sensors and used for a host of UK and European tours

The second Lagonda model of the David Brown / Aston Martin era, the DB 3-Litre debuted in 1953. Underpinned by an evolution of its predecessor’s advanced chassis, the newcomer was equipped with all-round independent suspension, servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes and rack and pinion steering. Shared with the Aston Martin DB 2/4, the Lagonda DB 3-Litre’s straight-six engine featured double overhead camshafts and hemispherical combustion chambers. Rated at 140bhp and 164lbft of torque and allied to four-speed manual transmission, it endowed the four-seater with a near 110mph top speed and spirited acceleration. Initially available in two-door guise only, as a Fixed Head or Drophead Coupe, the range was broadened to include a four-door saloon for 1954. Notable for a host of detail improvements including a floor-mounted gear shift, the MkII version arrived in early 1955. Production continued for another three years, however, a swingingly high purchase price meant that combined DB 3-Litre sales (across Fixed Head, Drophead and Saloon variants) amounted to just 266 cars of which a mere eighty-two are thought to remain.

Issued with the London number plate ‘PYR 360’ on 24th June 1955, chassis LB290/1/123 is understood to have belonged to the same Marsham, Norfolk-based family until entering the current ownership in 2001. Initially Blue, the Lagonda was repainted Grey during the 1970s. Stabled alongside an Aston Martin DB5 Vantage for much of its Marsham sojourn, the DB 3-Litre responded well to recommissioning and was in active use throughout the UK and Europe up until a few years ago. Partially repainted and entrusted to L.A. Whitmor & Co of Briston for a thorough engine overhaul in the early 2010s, the sports saloon pleasingly retains its original Red leather upholstery. More usable than many of its siblings due to the addition of an overdrive and reversing sensors, ‘PYR 360’ has been maintained by marque specialist David Wall of late who tells that it ‘drives and rides quite well’. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, history file and fresh MOT certificate.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737