My New Acquisition
Discussion
OK so not an Aston Martin but a cousin or more accurately an ancestor of...
It's always been an ambition of mine to enter the world of pre-war cars, or post vintage thoroughbreds if you prefer. I've just acquired this beauty and although not an Aston Martin nor indeed a David Brown Lagonda I feel there's a certain synergy with my Aston which it will join in the garage. To say I'm excited is an understatement. It's a 1933 Lagonda 16/80 Special Six T7 Tourer to give it it's full name (16hp and 80mph not that I'll be doing that in a car that's over 80 year old!). Like Astons of that era it has the centre throttle and gear selection pattern laid out opposite to the norm with 1-2 to the right and 3-4 to the left, oh and a right hand side gear lever - all good fun!
It's always been an ambition of mine to enter the world of pre-war cars, or post vintage thoroughbreds if you prefer. I've just acquired this beauty and although not an Aston Martin nor indeed a David Brown Lagonda I feel there's a certain synergy with my Aston which it will join in the garage. To say I'm excited is an understatement. It's a 1933 Lagonda 16/80 Special Six T7 Tourer to give it it's full name (16hp and 80mph not that I'll be doing that in a car that's over 80 year old!). Like Astons of that era it has the centre throttle and gear selection pattern laid out opposite to the norm with 1-2 to the right and 3-4 to the left, oh and a right hand side gear lever - all good fun!
Edited by RichB on Friday 9th October 21:12
Jon39 said:
How is it that your old cars look so brand new? Wonderful...
I bought from an old gentleman who was a retired engineer from Longbridge. It was his retirement project to restore it which he did a wonderful job of. Sadly at 81 he is suffering from macular degeneration and has been told to stop driving. Rather then just look at it in his garage he took the difficult decision to pass it on to another enthusiast. Me 
History goes back to about 1960 but no records prior to that. For a long period it was owned by a chap called Harold Cross who was one of the head honchos at Austin, Longbridge. The story goes that he got the car as a bit of a backhander from one of Austin's main suppliers! Don't know how true that is but he started a restoration as a side line at Longbridge and the chap I bought it from prised it away from him after many year of wanting it. As I said he then fully rebuilt it but other than that I can't get much further back. He did write to a previous owner in Edinburgh who promised him photos of the car just after teh war but they never materialised. I have a buff log book from the early 60s but no other. Indeed, I wonder if I wrote to Swansea they may have the older ones?
Thanks Ian, you knew I was chasing something pre-war and with Ecurie Bertelli wanting £200k even for a 1.5 Litre the Lagonda seemed like a good idea. Actually I rather like the fact that it's a comfortable 4 seater and will accommodate picnics hampers, cricket sets and other stuff in the summer. Should be fun !
RobDown said:
That's the chap, Harold Cross, Cheif Projects Engineer. It was his car for many years..Jon39 said:
A snoop on the internet shows that your beautiful car was for sale by auction, on 15th June 2013, but unsold.I expect you know that Rich, but if not, you might want to look at the webpage.
Indeed, and I had a chat with the owner about that, he was less than impressed with H&H at the time. I think these type of cars need the right audience and the right auctioneer. Don't know, not too worried as I am happy. 
Jon39 said:
I did not mean there is anything wrong with it not selling at auction, in fact that might even help a subsequent buyer. Just thought the page and photos would be an addition to your history file.
Indeed, I have cut-n-pasted the text from H&H into a word doc on my PC which I will print and add to the stories I have from the chap I bought it from. When I viewed it I had also noticed it had been up for auction so I asked him directly why it didn't sell. His comment was that it was the wrong audience and the auctioneer didn't notice his indication to drop the reserve mid-bidding otherwise he'd have sold it. Suits me. That looks like a 3 Litre, and very nice it looks too. Similar overall but a larger engine, mine is a 2 litre six cylinder while that has 20s look cycle wings and mine has the 30s look swept wings (either were an option). Pleased to hear he uses it. I intended to use mine today but when I started fired it up I could only get it running on 3 or 4 cylinders and as I was not dressed for getting greasy I gave up. 
Wife thinks pre-war cars may be a bit of a faff. 
ETA: Having pumped the Ki Gass to get it started I think I may have forgotten to advance the ignition with the lever on the steering wheel boss. Oops schoolboy error.
Wife thinks pre-war cars may be a bit of a faff. ETA: Having pumped the Ki Gass to get it started I think I may have forgotten to advance the ignition with the lever on the steering wheel boss. Oops schoolboy error.
Edited by RichB on Sunday 11th October 20:04
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