1934 Lagonda Tourer

This 1934 Lagonda is said to have stared its life with a saloon body and was purchased circa the late 1940s by English Midlands marque collector Harry Ellard, with whom it spent the next several decades. Following Ellard’s passing, chassis Z11226 was purchased in 1984 by a restoration shop proprietor who embarked upon a 15-year refurbishment that included the installation of reproduction fabric open touring coachwork along with an overhauled 4.5-liter Meadows M45 inline-six with twin SU carburetors and dual ignition. Under subsequent ownership, the car participated in the 2009 Flying Scotsman London-to-Edinburgh trial before being purchased by its current owner in 2012 and driven in the 2013 Colorado Grand. Finished in black, the car also features a four-speed manual transmission that has been fitted with a Laycock de Normanville overdrive unit as well as a 3.3:1-ratio rear axle, mechanically actuated four-wheel drum brakes, black-painted 19” wire wheels, an electric cooling fan, a black soft top with matching side curtains, and burgundy leather interior upholstery. This M45-powered Lagonda is now offered on dealer consignment with a tool kit, spare parts, and a clean California title. Based on the chassis design of the contemporary three-liter model, the Lagonda M45 was introduced at the 1933 Olympia Motor Show as the company’s first 4.5-liter variant courtesy of a Meadows OHV inline-six. The original model designation of this example’s chassis is unknown, and it is said to have been shortened to ride on a 10’ wheelbase. Both the 3-Liter and 4.5-Liter models were available either as rolling chassis or bodied in a choice of open or closed coachwork. This car’s reproduction bodywork is said to have been constructed during the refurbishment that was initiated in 1985 and features black fabric stretched over an ash wood frame along with a centrally hinged aluminum hood finished in black. Features include two doors aligned on the passenger side, cycle-type fenders with fabric inner spats up front, Lucas headlights, a central foglamp, a chrome radiator shell with thermostatically controlled shutters and a winged Lagonda badge, leather hood straps, cowl lamps, dual side mirrors, burgundy shoulder-line piping, and floating running boards with burgundy accents. The black soft top and matching side curtains can be seen in the raised position in the photo gallery below. Black-painted wire wheels are secured by bright two-eared knock-offs, and 6.50-19 tires comprise three Excelsior Comp H tires and a Custom Classic, with one of each brand mounted on a pair of matching spares at the rear of the car. Stopping power is provided by rod-actuated finned drum brakes all around. Inside the right-hand-drive cockpit, a pair of front bucket seats and a rear bench are trimmed in pleated burgundy leather, while color-matched upholstery covers the side panels and inner doors. Features include black lap belts, burgundy carpeting over the front seatbacks, black carpeting lining the floors, bright door thresholds, a right-hand shifter, a driver-side pocket, and a fire extinguisher. The banjo-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a wood dash panel housing a 120-mph speedometer, a reverse-sweep tachometer, a clock, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 3k miles, and true mileage is unknown. The 4,453 Meadows inline-six is said to have been installed during the 1980s and ’90s refurbishment and features a cast-iron block and detachable cylinder head, an aluminum crankcase with a finned sump, four main bearings, and pushrod-actuated overhead valves. Induction is through twin SU carburetors with Vokes air cleaners, while ignition is handled by two spark plugs per cylinder with a magneto firing one set of plugs and a coil and distributor triggering the other set. Modifications include an alternator, an electric cooling fan, and an exhaust heat wrap. Work performed in preparation for the sale included a flush of the fuel lines, a fuel pump service, fluid checks, and various adjustments. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox that was installed during the 1980s and ’90s refurbishment and was later fitted with a Laycock de Normanville overdrive unit. The solid rear axle is said to incorporate a 3.3:1 final-drive ratio. Suspension combines semi-elliptical leaf springs and friction shock absorbers. Welding repairs are visible on the clutch housing. The car is registered as Planned Non-Operation in the state of California.