Lot details
Registration No: DAK 311
Chassis No: 12354
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- One of just fifty known surviving LG6 examples

- Extensive restoration in the early 2000s

- Short chassis car

- Numerous interesting features including:

- Working Jackall system

- Original inspection lamp

- Working rear luggage rack

- c.36,000 miles believed genuine but not warranted

Introduced at the 1937 London Motorshow, the LG6 was the brainchild of Lagonda's then technical director W.O. Bentley, who had recently joined the firm after being released from a contract with Rolls-Royce stemming from the sale of his own company to them in 1931. The Lagonda LG6 and V12 were to be the result of this union. Though similar to that of the V12, the LG6's chassis had nothing in common with the earlier LG models being of diagonally cross-braced rather than ladder construction and featuring independent front suspension by wishbones and torsion bars. Braking was hydraulic and included a tandem master cylinder for increased safety. It was powered by the final incarnation of the venerable 4.5-litre six-cylinder OHV Meadows engine, now producing 140hp, allied to a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears. Decidedly expensive and boasting nigh-on 100mph performance, only 85 LG6 cars were made before the outbreak of World War Two, of which 67 were built on the short (127.5 inch) chassis and 18 on the long (135.5 inch) chassis.

One of only fifty examples of the LG6 known to have survived, DAK 311 wears factory coachwork and was first registered on 12 April 1939. A short chassis car, as denoted by the SS suffix stamped on its maker's plate, little is known of its early history although it is believed to have been the property of a mill owner. An accompanying continuation logbook shows it to have been owned by a Reginald Watts of Solihull in 1965 before passing to the late Herb Schofield in 1968. In 1971 it was in the possession of David Vernon of Birdham, West Sussex (a relative of Admiral Edward Vernon) who placed it in storage for the next thirty years. Following its purchase in 2001, the vendor set about restoring the car, a task which would take three years to complete. The bodywork and woodwork being entrusted to independent Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists Taylor's of Birdham, with Mike Thomas carrying out the necessary trim work. A new block was sourced from LMB, the magneto overhauled by A D Stairs (an aircraft engineer), the fuel pump overhauled by Burlens of Southampton, whilst the electrics were attended to by the vendor. Photographs of the restoration are contained in the history file along with assorted invoices. Resplendent in blue and silver with grey leather piped blue complimented by blue carpets, this magnificent car boasts a number of interesting features including a toolkit complete with original inspection lamp in the faux spare wheel housing, original dipping system, working Jackall system, working rear luggage rack with canvas cover, mesh stone guards, radio, original art nouveau cigar lighter and a working sunroof. Kenlowe fans and rear indicators are fitted to make the car more usable in modern traffic.

Registering some 36,300 miles, which the vendor believes to be genuine, this wonderful Lagonda is only being offered for sale due to health reasons and is accompanied by a Swansea V5 document, continuation logbook, assorted expired MoTs and sundry invoices. It is rare indeed for an LG6 to come to market, let alone a car in which as much time, effort and expense has been invested as this.