1932 Lagonda 16/80 S-Type Special Six T5 Tourer
Just two owners since 1961

Registration No: YY 890
Chassis No: S10207
MOT: Exempt

• Rare and desirable factory-bodied T5 Tourer
• Extensive history file dating back to 1949
• Treated to overhauls of its engine, gearbox, clutch, radiator and instruments during the current ownership
• Previously valued at £70,000
• Appealing 'knocked back' patina

"Silence and smoothness of running have been combined with performance in the new 16/80 Lagonda to an extent not hitherto achieved in any of these very fine cars ..... The new machine is a delight on the open road for its acceleration, its road-holding and cornering" (Autocar, September 1932)

Introduced in August 1932, the 16/80 S-Type Special Six was aimed at the moderate horsepower, six-cylinder sportscar market as typified by Alfa Romeo's 6C 1750. Based on the chassis of its 2-litre 'Continental' forbear, the new Lagonda model employed Crossley's proprietary 1991cc, straight-six OHV engine in a well-balanced, leaf-sprung, ladder-framed chassis. Equipped with all-round drum brakes, the 16/80 (named after its RAC horsepower rating and top speed respectively) could be ordered with either a manual or pre-selector four-speed gearbox. Arriving at Staines fully assembled, each engine was nonetheless stripped down, measured (blueprinting of a sort) and modified with better water porting arrangements etc. Despite being extremely well built and not overpriced just 74 of the 267 16/80s sold are currently known to the Lagonda Club.

An original, factory-bodied ‘T5’ Tourer, chassis S10207 was first issued with the London registration number ‘YY 980’ on October 1^st 1932. The earlier of two continuation logbooks on file shows that the Lagonda had migrated to Oxfordshire and the custodianship of Charles Tremlett by 1949. Thereafter, it is known to have belonged to Geoffrey Thomas (Malvern), Arthur Kerr (East Molesey), Edward Dearling (Sunbury-on-Thames) and Warner Baxter (Tolworth) before being bought by Kenneth Hill (Mitcham) on 12^th March 1961 for the princely sum of £135. Having paid the equivalent of nine weeks’ wages for the 16/80, the latter managed to extract fifty years’ service from it. A serial Lagonda owner, the vendor purchased ‘YY 980’ from Mr Hill precisely because of its careworn appearance and self-evident originality. Keen to improve the Tourer’s mechanical condition he embarked upon a series of works between 2012 and 2014 that saw attention paid to the engine, Z-type gearbox, clutch, radiator and instruments. Gosnay’s Engineering Company Ltd of Romford reground the crankshaft, converted the big-ends to shell bearings, renewed the main bearings, re-bored / refaced the block and removed the old cylinder head studs. They also supplied new JE pistons and steel con-rods, while EDS of Norwich crack / pressure tested and refaced the cylinder head as well as installing new core plugs, valve seat inserts and valve guides etc. Having reassembled the straight-six himself, the vendor tackled the gearbox and clutch sourcing a variety of new parts from The Lagonda Club. The radiator was professionally refurbished as were several of the instruments. The block and sump were returned to Gosnay’s during 2020 to cure the leaking rear crankshaft seal but the repair was only a partial success. Starting readily upon inspection, the 16/80 has seen scant use in the last couple of years and would thus benefit from some recommissioning. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, 2017 marque specialist valuation for £70,000 and maintenance / MOT history dating back sixty-three years.

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