1930 Lagonda 3-Litre Tourer
Registration no. GP 8874
Chassis no. Z9966
Engine no. Z1715
•Single family ownership since 1993
•Restored in the early 1990s
•VSCC concours award winner
•Recent engine rebuild
•Alvis gearbox (original included)
Footnotes:
Founded by ex-patriot American Wilbur Gunn in 1898, Lagonda built successful motorcycles and forecars before venturing into motor manufacturing proper in the early years of the 20th Century. Having established its reputation by winning the Moscow - St Petersburg Reliability Trial of 1910 with a 30hp six, the Staines-based firm concentrated mainly on the production of light cars before reverting to sporting and luxury models in the mid-1920s.

In 1925 designer Arthur Davidson drew up a new overhead-valve, six-cylinder engine for the forthcoming '16/65' model. Originally of 2,692cc, the seven-bearing overhead-valve unit was enlarged to 2,931cc (and later to 3,181cc) to create the 3-Litre model of 1928, finally being stretched to 3,619cc for the short-lived 3½-Litre in 1934, by which time the Meadows-engined cars were seen as the way forward. The '16/65' and early 3-Litre models, many of which were bodied by Lagonda using the Weymann system of flexibly framed, fabric covered coachwork, were intended for the carriage trade. From 1929 onwards though, the model was available in sporting 'low chassis' form, this new frame having resulted from the company's racing experience.

The current vendors purchased this handsome sporting Lagonda in 1993 from Cliff Walmsley, a local Vintage car specialist, who had carried out a 'ground upwards' restoration and won several concours events with it. The vendors entered a couple of VSCC concours events shortly after they purchased the car and came away with some more prizes. In addition, the 3-Litre has been used on Lagonda Club meetings, Continental runs, and Preston and District Vintage Car Club events.

Over the last five years some £14,000 has been spent on the car, works carried out including the installation of a superior and much more user-friendly Alvis gearbox and an engine rebuild by a local specialist (original gearbox with car). Always kept in a dry garage, 'GP 8874' has seen relatively little use over the last 29 years and is described by the private vendor as in generally good condition. The hood and tonneau cover are said to be in good order, and the car comes with a cranking handle (behind the rear seat). Accompanying documentation consists of several old MoT certificates and a V5C.