1947 Lagonda Prototype 'LBS EX1'

Lot details
Registration No: RSU 420
Chassis No: LBS EX1
Mot Expiry: June 2012

An American of Scots descent, Wilbur Gunn began his automotive career building tricars in the greenhouse of his Middlesex home. He formed the Lagonda company in 1906, apparently naming it after a river near his home town - Springfield, Ohio. And, though he passed away in 1920, the business initially continued to develop, producing a range of sports models that led directly to its historic victory at Le Mans, 1935. By now, the books weren't balancing, however, and Lagonda was sold to solicitor Alan Good. Not only did he save the company, but also managed to lure W.O. Bentley away from Rolls-Royce - a coup by any standards.

Though Lagonda was heavily committed to the war effort, the company nevertheless found time to plan for the return of car production. Conscious that his V12 engine would be too extravagant a masterpiece for the post war economy, W.O. set about the design of an all new DOHC six-cylinder unit of 2.6-litres (LB6) and an equally new Sports Saloon for it to power. With assistance from William Watson and Donald Bastow, the first of three prototypes (LBS EX1) was completed by September 1945. Though the team eschewed the trend towards monocoque construction, the model, that would become known simply as the 2.6-Litre, did have several innovative design features. They included all-round independent suspension (coil springs and wishbones for the front and semi-trailing arms and torsion bars at the rear), that was claimed as a first for a British manufacturer. The newcomer also featured inboard brakes at the rear, in order to minimise unsprung weight. However, the company was in financial trouble and production of the 2.6-Litre was delayed until 1948, by which time Lagonda was in the hands of millionaire industrialist David Brown and linked to Aston Martin. At this point, Bentley and Bastow departed the new Aston Martin Lagonda (AML) concern and exactly what happened to LBS EX1 is open to a degree of speculation.

One theory is that it was then that the current sports racing format was adopted and the resulting car presented to David Brown as a potential entry for the 1949 Le Mans 24 Hour race. However, there is no definitive evidence to support this supposition. Moreover, within the last few years the Lagonda Club has been sent photos which suggest the car was initially converted into a service van and used as a tender for the AML Works Team during the mid-1950s. If so, its current two-seater configuration would more likely have been the handiwork of an unknown special builder. One thing that's relatively certain, is that EX1 is the only prototype 2.6-Litre chassis to have survived (though, most of its running gear has been replaced over the years) as, according to Arnold Davey of the Lagonda Club, EX2 and EX3 were fitted with new chassis by the factory before being sold off as production cars.

The prototype's more recent history is better known. Out of circulation for many years, it resurfaced at a Lincolnshire farm sale in 1981. Bought by Ian Harris, whose family now run TT Workshops, the Lagonda then became the subject of much correspondence with the aforementioned Arnold Davey of the Lagonda Club. Fully confirmed as a prototype chassis, it subsequently passed through the hands of Crispin Harris (Perkins & Partners, Wellingborough) and Neil Perkins before entering the previous ownership on March 29th 1996. As well as being entrusted to Aston Service, Dorset for suspension fettling and general repairs, the next 14 years saw the car treated to a higher ratio crown wheel and pinion, upgraded ignition and improved cooling system etc. More recently, Wren Classics have enhanced its replacement 3-litre AML engine with a DB3S camshaft, DB3S-type cylinder head modifications, new liners, Carrillo conrods and new 9.5:1 compression pistons.

Finished in Black with a Black leather interior and equipped with a four-speed manual gearbox, this fascinating period Lagonda has covered several hundred miles following the engine overhaul, and is now offered for sale complete with extensive history file, tonneau cover, spare wheel and MOT certificate valid into June 2012.