Aston Martin Lagonda 3.0 Series II Saloon-Auction Lot, 1957
Aston Martin Lagonda
Aston Martin Lagonda•
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Chassis No.: LB290/1/209
Engine No.: DB6H/687
- Variant: Saloon
- Transmission: Manual
- Body Colour: Black
This elegant four-door Lagonda is one of only 270, has covered just 36,000 miles and remains delightfully original. At its announcement in 1953, Lagonda's new 3-litre model was only available in two-door Convertible and Saloon guise, but a four-door Saloon similar to that of the previous 2.6-litre followed the following year; as did a MK II specification that included floor-mounted gearchange. Production of the convertible ceased in 1957 and that of the Saloon in 1958, by which time just 270 3-litres had been made. This particular Mk II 3.0 Lagonda Saloon originally purchased in early 1960 by Flt. Lt.
Bob Morrow as an addition to his eclectic and ever changing collection of Alvis, MG Alfa Romeo motor vehicles, all sitting alongside his daily mode of transport, a Bentley Continental. Last taxed in 1960, Bob Morrow Jnr. recalls his father removing the cylinder head to skim and modify it in the pursuit of increased performance, an unusual approach with a car like this but clearly his vehicles were a true passion. At that time, the recorded mileage was some 36,000 which has not increased to this very day and has been verified by Bob Morrow’s son as being genuine.
On closer inspection, there are aspects of the Lagonda that clearly show very little use, the seats are outstanding as is the stove enamelling on the manifold with the engine even retaining its original red paint. It appears to have never been welded and be totally corrosion free, very unusual for a Lagonda and clearly a result of long term dry storage. In 2016, after 57 years of continual family ownership, the decision was taken by Bob Morrow Jnr. to sell the car with it passing into the trade remaining untouched until purchased by a Midlands-based collector who wanted to save the vehicle from further deterioration.
After cleaning and a detailed inspection, its originality was clear to see and now, fully recommissioned and refreshed, it's ready for its next custodian with freshly issued MOT certificate due to expire 17 August 2023. Essentially this is a Mk III Aston Martin with Tickford/Lagonda coachwork in the style of the Bentley Continental, at a fraction of the price of either of those. A reminder of period luxury motoring at its very best. Comments directly from 'Bob Morrow' beautifully captivating the Lagonda history. ''I am very familiar with this car, having known it since I was a boy.
My father bought it in the Sixties (. early. 60s, I think) and it was his pride and joy (along with a post-vintage thoroughbred Bentley and a couple of other exotics) until his death a week short of his 98. th. birthday in 2015. Encroaching dementia in the years before that meant that he ceased working on it during the Noughties, and it lay unmoved in our garage in Nottingham for very many years. I was allowed to drive it myself in the summer of 1970, after I finished at university, and I suspect that that the sigh of relief emitted by the insurance company when I stopped doing so is still echoing around Nottingham.
During the ‘70s my father drove the car intermittently, alternating it with others in his stable, so it was never in constant use. I spent four years working in Italy in the mid-Eighties, and my recollection is that the car was not in use by the time I came back in 1988. It is sure, therefore, that it was ‘laid up’ for well over twenty years before I rediscovered it in his garage after my father’s death.
I can therefore unequivocally guarantee that the incredibly low mileage is absolutely genuine, and that the figure shown on the relevant instrument in the car, which I see from your website is 37,000 (I had not myself kept a record), precisely reflects the total mileage it has done, despite being some 65 years old. By the way, I think you will find on examination of the records that it is actually a David Brown Lagonda, not just an Aston Martin Lagonda as you show - I recall my father’s telling me that this specific marque lasted until 1958, when it became Aston Martin Lagonda only''.
