1932 Lagonda 16/80 Tourer
Painstakingly restored by the late owner, respected Lagonda 16/80 authority Brian Savill

Registration No: YY 2406
Chassis No: S10256
MOT: Exempt

• The beneficiary of a painstaking restoration by the late owner, respected Lagonda 16/80 authority Brian Savill
• Upgraded with a centre-change fully-synchromesh gearbox believed to be of Alvis origin
• Supplied with a large history file detailing works undertaken with period photographs on file
• Fitted with the correct T5 tourer body

"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." — The Autocar, September, 1932

Introduced in August, 1932, the 16/80 S-Type Special Six was aimed at the moderate horsepower, six-cylinder sports car market as typified by Alfa Romeo's 6C 1750. Based on the chassis of its Two-Litre 'Continental' forbear, the new Lagonda model employed Crossley's proprietary 1,991cc, 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.

Owned for some 20 years by the late 16/80 expert Brian Savill, this delightful T5 Tourer was the beneficiary of an extremely thorough restoration upon entering his ownership in 2003. Originally built with T5 bodywork and registered in London in November, 1932, the ownership of ‘YY 2406’ can be traced back at least as far as 1951. Its earliest known owner (of an unknown date) was Mr. A. S. Tucker, but in July, 1951, it was acquired by Mr. Geoffrey Lovell Auty of BAC Ltd., Flight Test Department, Bristol. A note made in the 1950s records that Mr. Auty was a Bristol test pilot involved with the development of the stillborn Brabazon transatlantic airliner.

The next owner, Mr. J. B. M. Hobley, kept the Lagonda from February, 1952, to May, 1955, and a high-quality photograph survives from his ownership showing it carrying Lagonda Club and VSCC badges. It changed hands several more times through the 1950s and ’60s, before travelling to New York in 1969. The final American owner made an abortive attempt at restoration, after which the car was repatriated by Brian Savill in 2003.

Mr. Savill concluded that a full restoration was needed, which took place over six years. According to his notes, “[I] subjected it to a 100 per cent. rebuild from the chassis up, and that had to be repaired, straightened and realigned. The engine condition was critically bad. During the rebuild, there were no items or parts that were not stripped, examined, repaired, reconditioned or remade if missing. This included all-new bearings, hubs, brake drums, wheels, gears and upholstery (including hood, side screens, tonneau cover and carpets). Modifications made to the engine included a new camshaft with improved profiles, Carillo steel rods with shell bearings, J & E pistons, a full-flow oil filter and improved oil distribution.”

The work came to a total of £17,925, including £7,224 on the bodywork, £2,909 on the engine and £3,923 on the transmission and brakes. Upon completion, the Lagonda received a VSCC Eligibility Document in April, 2009, which reported that all the major components – crankcase, gearbox case, back axle case, front axle and chassis – were original, and all other items inspected were to standard specification. Since then, however, the gearbox has been exchanged for a centre-change, fully-synchromesh ’box believed to come from an Alvis, but the original ’box is supplied with the car.

Mr. Savill’s attention to detail in keeping documentation and taking notes was a reflection of his meticulous character. The car is sold with a large folder of restoration invoices, plus a separate folder of Mr. Savill’s own articles – his ‘Technical Musings’ formed a long-running series for 16/80 Section of the Lagonda Club. ‘YY 2406’ was also documented in the Lagonda Club publication 80th Year: A Celebration of the 16/80 Special Six, of which a copy is supplied. Other literature includes The “16/80 Special” Model Lagonda Instruction Book, which was compiled across 1951 by G. L. Auty, and a technical booklet for Scintilla magnetos. Still looking superb 15 years after its restoration, ‘YY 2406’ is a testament to the work of a consummate enthusiast.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430