Lot details
Registration No: DXV 167
Chassis No: 12211/G10
Mot Expiry: None

"The performance is not that of a sports car but much more that of an effortless and refined fast tourer . . . I think you would have to be a hard-hearted judge of motor cars not to be impressed by the car as the miles go by and it certainly lends creditability to my theory that a good car should not be difficult to drive" (The Automobile on 'DXV 167', July 1985).

Notable as the first Lagonda design to be overseen by legendary engineer - and recently appointed technical director of LG Motors (Staines) Ltd - W.O. Bentley, the LG45 was introduced in late September 1935. Although, sharing the same 10ft 9in wheelbase as its M45 Rapide and M45A predecessors, the newcomer boasted significantly reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness. A massive ladder-frame channel-section affair, its chassis featured repositioned cross members (to liberate more rear legroom), softer semi-elliptic road springs, adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers, two prefabricated bulkheads and a harmonic stabilising front bumper. While other refinements included a Smiths 'Jackall' system (the controls of which were normally housed in a side-mounted 'dummy' spare wheel cover), one-shot Tecalemit lubrication and Girling four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a modified version of the redoubtable 4453cc Meadows OHV straight-six engine (which had earned Lagonda victory in that year's Le Mans 24-hour race), the LG45 further benefited from a part synchromesh four-speed manual gearbox and strong Borg and Beck clutch. Initially available in saloon, tourer, drophead coupe or bare chassis guises, the model was among the fastest road cars of its day (with most closed variants being capable of over 90mph and some open ones reputedly topping 100mph). Despite a fantastic 1936 season that saw four Fox & Nicholl prepared Works racers distinguish themselves in the French Grand Prix (1st in class), Belgian Grand Prix (1st in class), Ards Tourist Trophy (2nd in class) and BRDC 500 Mile Race (3rd overall), the LG45 was phased out of production the following year after some 278 had been made (though, 150 or so are thought to have survived to this day).

The most expensive model in the LG45 range, the drophead coupe was penned in-house by Frank Feeley (arguably the most talented British stylist of his generation). Supremely elegant, it was priced at £1,220 (some £170 more than its Tourer or Rapide siblings) yet did not want for orders. Commissioned to find more power from the Meadows engine, Harry Weslake designed a new cylinder head with integral inlet manifold, larger valve area and better cooling. Known as the Sanction 3, the resultant unit came on stream in July 1936. Appearing just a month later, the heavily reworked G10 gearbox boasted synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears. Finished in black with dark green leather upholstery, 'DXV 167' retains its original drophead coupe coachwork, Sanction 3 engine and G10 gearbox. Acquired by its previous owner - the well known Lagonda enthusiast - Richard Hare, in 1951, the LG45 was to remain with him for some forty years. An object lesson in conservation and preservation rather than restoration, his custodianship was one of regular yet sympathetic maintenance / improvement as The Automobile magazine reported when they encountered the car in July 1985:

"I suppose you could say that Richard has perfected the technique of the automotive invisible mend. When the carpets wore thin he went in search of the original colour and had exact copies of the originals made. When the front seats began to show signs of wear they were retrimmed but not before Connolly had been asked to provide hide that matched the colour the original leather had faded to. More recently the door trims have been replaced in a similar fashion with such success that I would not have known the interior had been touched if I had not been told. The exterior paintwork is another example of rectification rather than wholesale restoration. In case anyone has begun to think that this Lagonda leads a very sheltered existence I can report that the doors were recently repainted because at one stage Richard used the car for races, hillclimbs, driving tests and sprints and the repeated removal of competition numbers from the doors took its toll of the original paint".

Entering the current ownership via the late Richard Hare's brother who was under strict instructions not to advertise it outside the Lagonda Club, 'DXV 167' has since been treated to a new double duck hood. However, its wonderful patina has otherwise been left undisturbed. Described by the vendor as being in "good overall" condition, this exceptional LG45 Drophead Coupe is offered for sale with a buff logbook and "suitcase full of history" chronicling its last fifty plus years.