1929 Lagonda 2-Litre Tourer

Registration No: TF 23
Chassis No: OH 9555
MOT: Exempt

• Extensively renovated at considerable expense since entering current ownership
• Long-term previous custodianship (from 1982 until 2016)
• Tourer coachwork presents excellently and the 2-Litre ran and drove well during our photography session
• Large history file including previous ‘buff’ log books and numerous invoices
• Pleasingly still in possession of its original registration number ‘TF 23’

"In brief, the two-litre Lagonda may be said to combine the lively performance of a sports car with the quiet manners and convenience of a tourer, the result being a vehicle which is a sheer delight to handle, while it will convey four people in comfort over long distances at a high average speed" - Autocar, 16th December 1927

Some two years after its 1925 Motor Show launch, the Lagonda 14/60 morphed into the Two-Litre model. Built around a sturdy ladder frame chassis equipped with semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel drum brakes, it was powered by the same 1954cc engine as its predecessor. Designed by Arthur Davidson, this imposing looking four-cylinder unit featured twin high-mounted camshafts and fully machined hemispherical combustion chambers. Developing some 60bhp @ 3,500rpm, it was mated to a four-speed manual gearbox and gave a top speed of between 70mph and 80mph.

First registered on 16th December 1929, this handsome Lagonda 2 Litre is thought to have begun life in Lancashire (or so its distinctive ‘TF 23’ number plate would imply). Surviving World War Two, it passed through the hands of five keepers during the 1950s and 1960s migrating from Lancashire to Hertfordshire via Surrey in the process. Very much a project by the time that Geoff Purnell and John Cooper acquired it sixty-one years ago, the Tourer sported a homemade plywood ‘coachwork’ and a severely cracked frame. Undeterred the duo sourced a replacement chassis via the Lagonda Club, while its spares secretary Captain Ivan Forshaw supplied them with an ex-factory body. Exchanging its original engine for one from a 2-Litre Supercharged car (2B 1127) at some stage, ‘TF 23’ is thus thought to benefit from the blown model’s uprated crankshaft and conrods etc. Interestingly, the four-seater’s radiator was first fitted to a supercharged car too. Returning to the road during the Swinging Sixties as a very presentable ‘Woodman’s Axe’, ‘TF 23’ was even featured in a local newspaper article. Sold to its previous keeper by the renowned marque specialist Peter Wenman of Vintage Coachworks in July 1982, he retained the Tourer for no fewer than thirty-four years, albeit it was laid-up for much of that time. Entering the current ownership in 2016, the Lagonda has since been treated to an extensive programme of refurbishment.

The engine has been thoroughly refreshed with new valves guides and springs to the cylinder head plus a new head gasket and core plugs, overhauled water pump, new starter Bendix with renewed flexible couplings, and a full stainless steel exhaust system (including manifold). The radiator has been overhauled with a new honeycomb core fitted and the shell restored and re-chromed. The fuel system was gone through too, gaining a new tank with sender unit, new fuel pump, replacement copper fuel lines, tap and filter bowl, as well as the carburettor being re-jetted / rejuvenated. The ignition and wiring were renovated with the magneto restored with new windings and condenser, and new HT leads and spark plugs fitted. The dynamo was overhauled and converted to two brushes, with a new battery fitted and in-keeping indicators and brake lights provided. The clutch was fitted with new springs, friction plates and central metal spinner, with the clutch cable adjusted before the braking system was completely refurbished with new front backplates fitted, and the suspension was rejuvenated with leaf springs re-tempered and set to factory specification.

Turning to the bodywork, sections of the ash frame were replaced as necessary, and new floors fitted, before the metalwork was repainted in Green. The headlights, horn and wheel 47 spinners were re-chromed with a new battery box and wiper linkage fitted. Shod with new tyres and tubes, attention turned to the interior with the seats re-trimmed in Black leather upholstery and new carpets installed. Finally, storage for the starting handle, jack, wheel brace and other equipment was created behind the rear seats. Invoices on file total almost £11,000 on parts alone, with the renovation works completed in early 2023. Presenting very nicely, ‘TF 23’ started readily, and both ran and drove well throughout our photography session. Offered for sale with a large history file that contains numerous invoices relating to the recent renovation, a couple of MOTs and tax discs from the 1980s, two ‘buff’ style logbooks and a previous V5 document, sales invoice for the previous owner’s purchase from Peter Wenman, CD versions of the instruction and workshop manuals, and current V5C document. Pleasingly retaining its original registration number, ‘TF 23’ is a much loved and well-sorted 2-Litre.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452