Aston Martin Lagonda Series 1, 1981
Aston Martin Lagonda
Aston Martin Lagonda•
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€30,992 | Sold
- From an important Italian collection
- French registration certificate
- Chassis no. L00L13083
- Engine no. V/580/3083
- Interesting original condition; sold new in France
- The most powerful of the four series, matching numbers
- A true “collector” car, an exciting project
The venerable British marque Lagonda, winner of the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans, was acquired alongside Aston Martin in 1947 by industrialist David Brown. The Aston Martin Lagonda is undoubtedly one of the most eccentric cars ever produced at Newport Pagnell. As early as the mid-1960s, work began on a four-door saloon, but it only reached the prototype stage in 1969 before the project was abandoned. A four-door Lagonda series was launched in 1974, but only five examples were built.
In 1975, just as the company had filed for bankruptcy, William Towns was given carte blanche to develop an avant-garde project and modernise the marque's image. The Aston Martin Lagonda, with its wedge-shaped, futuristic lines, was unveiled in 1976 and went into production in 1978. Both long (5.25 m) and low (1.30 m), the car was a technological showcase for the marque. Following the development problems encountered with the first series, the second series appeared in 1984, with improved reliability and a revised onboard electronic system.
The powerful 5.3-litre V8, producing 320 hp and coupled to a three-speed Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission, could propel this imposing yet elegant saloon to over 230 km/h. The car offered for sale was sold new in Monaco by British Motors in this elegant colour combination of Blenheim grey and navy-blue leather. It was purchased in 2017 by our Italian collector at Artcurial Motorcars' Rétromobile sale. The collector used the car for only a few outings in 2017 before putting it away in his personal collection.
It therefore requires a complete overhaul, but remains in interesting original condition and represents an exciting recommissioning project. It is equipped with its LED dashboard, an incredibly futuristic feature that remains somewhat temperamental; we were unable to verify that it works. It is an example of the initial version, as the first series of a model often commands the highest regard among true marque enthusiasts, since it is often sportier, more powerful and features more daring technological solutions. A total of 645 examples of all models were built between 1974 and 1990. The car's mechanical components require a complete overhaul.
Please note that the brakes are seized. The car will require a complete overhaul. From an important Italian collection French title - Interesting original condition, sold new in France - The most powerful of all series, matching numbers - A true collector, exciting project The Aston Martin Lagonda is without a doubt one of the most eccentric cars ever made by Newport Pagnell. From the mid-1960s, a 4-door saloon was under construction, but it only made it to the prototype stage in 1969 just before the project was shelved. In 1974, a Series 4 four-door Lagonda was launched but only 7 models were ever built.
In 1975, when the brand had just filed a petition for bankruptcy, William Towns was given carte blanche to develop an avant-garde project and modernize the brand's image. The Aston Martin Lagonda, with edgy and futuristic lines, was unveiled in 1976 and brought to market in 1978. The car, which is both long (5.25m) and low (1.30m), was a technological showcase for the brand. Faced with development problems with the Series 1, the Series 2 model, which was released from 1984, was made more reliable and the onboard computer was revised.
The powerful 5.3L V8 offering 300 hp coupled with a 3-speed Torqueflite automatic gearbox made by Chrysler was able to propel this gigantic but elegant saloon to more than 230 km/h. This Lagonda was sold new in Monaco by British Motors in this colour combination, Bleinheim silver, dark blue leather. It was bought in 2017 by our client, an Italian collector, at Artcurial Motorcars' sale at Rétromobile. He only used the car for a few trips in 2017 before laying it up in his personal collection. It will therefore require a full overhaul, but remains in interesting original condition and will make an exciting recommissioning project.
It is fitted with the LED instrument panel: this was incredibly futuristic but always somewhat temperamental, and we were unable to check its operation. Usually, the first batch of cars get the best value because they are often more racy, more powerful and offer advanced technical devices. Only 645 cars have been manufactured between 1974 and 1990. The mechanics of the car need to be completely overhauled. Please note that the brakes are seized. The car will need a complete overhaul. Photos © Christian Martin
Cost
128,084 AED
