1931 Lagonda 2 Litre Low Chassis Speed Model Tourer

Lot details
Registration No: GO 5480
Chassis No: OH9892
Mot Expiry: Exempt

Descended from the 2 Litre that Andre d'Erlanger and Douglas Hawkes piloted to 11th overall (2nd-in-class) at the 1928 Le Mans 24 hours, the Low Chassis Speed Model was reputedly capable of over 80mph. According to information kindly supplied by the Lagonda Club's Hon. Registrar Arnold Davey and former keeper Neale Edwards, chassis OH9892 was supplied new to K. Eaden Lilley Esq. of Cambridge whose family owned the city's famous W. Eaden Lilley & Co department store. Originally finished in Dark Green with contrasting Yellow wings, the T2-bodied Tourer must have cut quite a dash around town and caught the attention of undergraduate A.C. 'Tolley' Burnett. Taken by the latter to Eton College when he became a master there, the 2 Litre was first registered with the Lagonda Club in 1950.

Popular among the pupils, especially Peter Rickett and Neale Edwards, the Low Chassis Speed Model was sold to the former a few years later. Resident in Germany while Rickett undertook his national service with the 12th Royal Lancers, chassis OH9892 had its fabric body covering and upholstery renewed using Scarlet-hued leathercloth before accompanying him to Cambridge University. Purchased by fellow undergraduate (and former Etonian) Edwards thereafter, the Lagonda was promptly christened 'Peepers' due to its imposing headlamps.

Treated to a thorough engine overhaul and refurbished dashboard under the supervision of Andre Kenny - a petrolhead classical scholar who would allow students to fettle their Lagondas at his Suffolk family home - the 2 Litre was subsequently bought by ex-Etonian and Trinity College member Anthony F. Gueterbock (the 18th Baron Berkeley) in 1961 for the princely sum of £200 plus an Austin Seven! Resplendent in Oxford Blue, the Low Chassis Speed Model was upgraded with a Lagonda 3 Litre gearbox and driven thousands of miles for both business and pleasure on both sides of The Channel during the 1960s and 1970s (Lord Berkeley began his career as a civil engineer and worked on the Eurotunnel before joining the House of Lords).

Accompanying correspondence shows that he drove 'GO 5480' as far as Romania on assignment but soon returned the four-seater to Blighty when it became obvious that sourcing replacement wiper blades and wheels etc. would be problematic. Other letters on file include several between Lord Berkeley and Lagonda Club stalwart Captain Ivan Forshaw. Despite being reupholstered in Dark Blue leather, the 2 Litre was otherwise looking a little forlorn by 2003. Tasked with returning the Tourer to its circa 1961 condition (Lord Berkeley's student days), marque specialist Cedar Classics embarked upon a three-year long refurbishment process that cost in excess of £97,000; though today the outlay would be higher still.

Stripped back to a bare chassis, the 2 Litre had attention paid to its clutch, dynamo, magneto, radiator, wiring loom, propshaft, petrol tank, leaf springs, shock absorbers, brakes, steering, wheels / tyres and instruments etc not to mention a thorough engine overhaul: reground crankshaft, re-bore, unleaded fuel conversion, overhauled water / oil pumps, and new camshafts / pistons / bearings etc. The hood was renewed but its associated cover / bag was not so as to maintain the car's patinated outward appearance, while the polished mahogany dashboard was complimented by fresh carpets. The wooden body support frame was repaired as necessary and a successful effort made to preserve its 1950s German leathercloth covering.

Purchased from Lord Berkeley by the vendor through auction some six years ago, 'GO 5480' has since successfully taken part in a variety of touring events across Great Britain and Ireland and is now suitably run in since its rebuild. Recently treated to some minor fettling by Brewster Mudie, the Lagonda started readily upon inspection and pulled well once on the open road. Impressively pedigreed, this delightful 2 Litre Low Chassis Speed Model is offered for sale with full weather equipment, numerous restoration photos / invoices and the aforementioned correspondence file.