I'm in a little bit of a nice dilemna....
Discussion
so I want to canvass opinion. I own a 1929 3 Litre Lagonda and although it was bequeathed by my father I consider myself quite lucky to own it, there are I think only 50 odd registered of this type.
Sadly it sits in a barn (as it has done most of its life) is a semi comatosed state as it has done for most of its life. Whilst it kept my fathers grey matter engaged it certainly only keeps my bank manager engaged. It is rare that I would get to use it as I have 2 small girls and the likelihood is it will be a different kind of horsepower for them in the future.
Now the pro's of ownership are: owning something rare and beautiful, great club, future fun when I retire.
The Cons are: lack of use and the need for proper spannering.
The dilemna is I sometimes wake up and think why have I got this asset when I could sell and ship in a DB9 for my wife to enjoy? OR would you say I am a crazy fool to let it go.
thought most welcome.
Sadly it sits in a barn (as it has done most of its life) is a semi comatosed state as it has done for most of its life. Whilst it kept my fathers grey matter engaged it certainly only keeps my bank manager engaged. It is rare that I would get to use it as I have 2 small girls and the likelihood is it will be a different kind of horsepower for them in the future.
Now the pro's of ownership are: owning something rare and beautiful, great club, future fun when I retire.
The Cons are: lack of use and the need for proper spannering.
The dilemna is I sometimes wake up and think why have I got this asset when I could sell and ship in a DB9 for my wife to enjoy? OR would you say I am a crazy fool to let it go.
thought most welcome.
Mr. Magoo said:
OR would you say I am a crazy fool to let it go.
I'm afraid so - never part with it if you don't have to you will never replace it. The DB9 is a mass-produced car, they aren't going anywhere, there are thousands of them and they get cheaper every year.Without wishing to sound vulgar, what sort of money is your car worth? If a truly life-changing sum then there's a conundrum. If it's worth only as much as a DB9... Well I know where my money would be!
You need to derive more ways of finding leasure in the ownership of it. I remember Laganda being one of the honoured marques at Classic le Mans many years back, what utterly amazing (and huge) machines they were. Maybe start touring a bit more with a veteran car club?
I think I speak for all of us when I say, "Pictures, please!". Yes, even though it's in a comatose state at the moment. 
Speaking personally, I don't think I could let a car like that go... tempting as a new DB9 might be, you've got a piece of history there (not to mention the family heirloom connection). I'd spend my waking hours learning how to restore it (or finding people who can help me).. but that's just me.
Speaking personally, I don't think I could let a car like that go... tempting as a new DB9 might be, you've got a piece of history there (not to mention the family heirloom connection). I'd spend my waking hours learning how to restore it (or finding people who can help me).. but that's just me.
yeti said:
I'm afraid so - never part with it if you don't have to you will never replace it. The DB9 is a mass-produced car, they aren't going anywhere, there are thousands of them and they get cheaper every year.
Without wishing to sound vulgar, what sort of money is your car worth? If a truly life-changing sum then there's a conundrum. If it's worth only as much as a DB9... Well I know where my money would be!
You need to derive more ways of finding leasure in the ownership of it. I remember Laganda being one of the honoured marques at Classic le Mans many years back, what utterly amazing (and huge) machines they were. Maybe start touring a bit more with a veteran car club?
you are both correct this is more an emotional dilemna rather than financial. Thing is my father was a damn handy mechanic and therefore the maintenance and touring scared him little. Im not. Also I would like to enjoy it with family but heading off into the sunset with no seatbelts and staring at 6 feet of protruding bonnet, windscreen and rivets scare the fook out of me!Without wishing to sound vulgar, what sort of money is your car worth? If a truly life-changing sum then there's a conundrum. If it's worth only as much as a DB9... Well I know where my money would be!
You need to derive more ways of finding leasure in the ownership of it. I remember Laganda being one of the honoured marques at Classic le Mans many years back, what utterly amazing (and huge) machines they were. Maybe start touring a bit more with a veteran car club?
pics are proving troublesome to upload...not sure if its me or thumbsnap...
In a nutshell I am just getting the magneto sorted and then we are back on the road.....The LCC is a great club although I have lowered the average age by about 30 years. It does make me wonder if there is a market for these cars in 20 years, most followers/owners will be dead.
In a nutshell I am just getting the magneto sorted and then we are back on the road.....The LCC is a great club although I have lowered the average age by about 30 years. It does make me wonder if there is a market for these cars in 20 years, most followers/owners will be dead.
yeti said:
I'm afraid so - never part with it if you don't have to you will never replace it. The DB9 is a mass-produced car, they aren't going anywhere, there are thousands of them and they get cheaper every year.
Without wishing to sound vulgar, what sort of money is your car worth? If a truly life-changing sum then there's a conundrum. If it's worth only as much as a DB9... Well I know where my money would be!
You need to derive more ways of finding leasure in the ownership of it. I remember Laganda being one of the honoured marques at Classic le Mans many years back, what utterly amazing (and huge) machines they were. Maybe start touring a bit more with a veteran car club?
In truth I have no idea, one failed in auction at 75K recently so somewhere between 50 and 75 I guess. They are a poor mans bentley although from what I gather superbly engineered. Alas the name does not have the cache of Bentley and is rarely spoken of in the same breath as AM. In fact most people look at me quizzically if I talk about it. Thing is they have a lot going for them as long distance tourers, they also have a Le Mans victory under their belt.....Without wishing to sound vulgar, what sort of money is your car worth? If a truly life-changing sum then there's a conundrum. If it's worth only as much as a DB9... Well I know where my money would be!
You need to derive more ways of finding leasure in the ownership of it. I remember Laganda being one of the honoured marques at Classic le Mans many years back, what utterly amazing (and huge) machines they were. Maybe start touring a bit more with a veteran car club?
Here one that went under the hammer for around £45K. Not sure when though:
http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php...
http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php...
Mr. Magoo said:
Alas the name does not have the cache of Bentley and is rarely spoken of in the same breath as AM. In fact most people look at me quizzically if I talk about it.
Bentley have always understood marketing, even back then 
I'd hang onto it, if the Lagonda name becomes resurgent, traditionally people begin to look to the older cars to add some heritage to their portfolio/collection. The DB9, wonderful as it is is only going down price wise (although early cars are trickling down very slowly)... No chance you can beg, borrow or steal to get one any other way? Dump the Disco 3 and get a Disco II V8, tere's you deposit straight away
If you want to get rid of it for 45k, give me a bell and I'll have it
Having two prewar Lagondas, both LG45, my advice would to make contact with the Lagonda Club. They are a very good bunch. The first thing is to decide if you will enjoy driving such a car - a good 3 Litre is very much a vintage drive and the steering should be light and precise - gear changing is less frequent than a 2litre but a crash gearbox is not everyone's choice. I am sure that I can find a Club member(s) who will explain the joys and challanges of 3 Litre driving. Then you should carefully assess the costs of getting the car to a condition you are happy to use then add 50%, then assess the time factor, double or treble that. A good 3 Litre should make in the current market £140k less the auctioneers premium. Within the Club roadworthy/ useable 3 Litres achieve around £90-100k. Many think the 1929 3 Litre the best vintage car Lagonda produced, they have a small but very enthusiastic following. Your Dad made a great choice. Send me pm if I can help further.
Mr. Magoo said:
you are both correct this is more an emotional dilemna rather than financial. Thing is my father was a damn handy mechanic and therefore the maintenance and touring scared him little. Im not. Also I would like to enjoy it with family but heading off into the sunset with no seatbelts and staring at 6 feet of protruding bonnet, windscreen and rivets scare the fook out of me!
It sounds like you won't enjoy it, even if it was 100% concours condition. If you can't enjoy it with the family whats the point of it - ignoring the fact its a legacy from father.If you can get past the emotional bond then look at how best to sell it - either as is, or fully restored. If selling it look at what you can replace it with. Would have to be something special (if it was me) not just cash. Either something special for the children (private school ?) or something along the lines of a modern classic - safe for the family that everyone can enjoy, but keeps a link with your father and is an apreciating asset (AM Vanquish?)
I disagree with most of the comments ..........I would sell it and buy the DB9 and let your family enjoy the rest.......unless you are a wealthy man and the odd 100k doesn't make much difference to your life.......if you we're totally into the AMOC thing and spending time with other classic owners then perhaps I would agree with the crowd.
michael gould said:
I would sell it and buy the DB9 and let your family enjoy the rest.......unless you are a wealthy man and the odd 100k doesn't make much difference to your life
Like you Michael? 100k lasts you about 3 weeks doesn't it 
For what its worth, I agree however - unless you love the car and use it, get it sold and spend the money on something that will make you/your family happy.
yeti said:
If you want to get rid of it for 45k, give me a bell and I'll have it
And Bamford Rose will fix it up for the 2014 LeMans with some of there fabulous engineering 
;)If my Dad left me something as delightful as this, I'd struggle to offload it, in fact it would be an honour to be the custodian for the next generation on the provisio you can do it justice and get it on the road and use it
I probably go against the grain on this but I'd say move it on to someone else who will fettle it and love it like your father did.
I like cars but at the end of the day they are just things and things aren't that important. What's important is people and if a DB9 gives your family some joy them get a DB9 ( or whatever) and thank your dad in the process!.
If you don't sell it chances are the next generation will.
I like cars but at the end of the day they are just things and things aren't that important. What's important is people and if a DB9 gives your family some joy them get a DB9 ( or whatever) and thank your dad in the process!.
If you don't sell it chances are the next generation will.
OK, uploading is working now. Here she is in the late 50's, my father at the wheel.
here it is now
the eagle eyed ones will notice mods (running boards etc)...I am a member of the LCC and I have attended a few meets. It is rare to see another 3 litre car more than 90% similar also many have been chopped from saloon form.
The car is mechanically sound thanks to recent re-commissioning but the ashwork/hoods etc are degraded to the point of replacement.
I know it would be a fun car and VERY different to most 'toys' on the road. However I don't think I would take the family out as good forbid if there was an accident or mechanical failure there is little in the way of safety features.
I have only driven it briefly and after my brother and I were born I think it only hit the road twice in 35 years (my father was an eccentric engineer and he gained more pleasure from the tinkering than the driving). In fact much of the restorative work has involved de-commissioning complex and unecessary add-ons that my father deemed necessary.
It does benefit from the Alvis box and although the water jacket is a repair job the engine/compression seems fine. I have a spair 3 litre engine too (in component form).
I know a couple of 3 Litre owners near me in Kent, they are definitely a nice bunch and a helpful club with no heirs and graces when it comes to vintage car ownership. They are however firmly in the pipe and slippers department but in a nice old school nutty engineers way. Lagonda ownership seems to attract the eccentric engineer type rather than the Lord Fontleroys. Which is nice.
If I sold it I think I would be looking closer to 6 figures than 50K. I would probably do the next best thing which would get the girls the best education possible, this would score with the old man upstairs rather than buying a toy which I would rarely get to use.
What has it cost to me? well I gave my brother 15K for it when the old man died, it was in a sorry state. My brother lives in Australia so has no interest. I guess I have spent another 15K re-commissioning to roadworthiness.
My father bought it for £50 in the late 50's having seen it working as a farmers hack carting hay around in a field. I think it was near Faversham when he was doing his apprenticeship. It took 2 days of negotiating down from £60 but one the deal was done in the pub the farmer got his farm hands to pump up the tyres and put enough fuel in for my father to drive it home that night, without lights.
Prior history isnt really known. Personally I think they are beautiful cars when all polished up and they come from the end of a magnificent era.
here it is now
the eagle eyed ones will notice mods (running boards etc)...I am a member of the LCC and I have attended a few meets. It is rare to see another 3 litre car more than 90% similar also many have been chopped from saloon form.
The car is mechanically sound thanks to recent re-commissioning but the ashwork/hoods etc are degraded to the point of replacement.
I know it would be a fun car and VERY different to most 'toys' on the road. However I don't think I would take the family out as good forbid if there was an accident or mechanical failure there is little in the way of safety features.
I have only driven it briefly and after my brother and I were born I think it only hit the road twice in 35 years (my father was an eccentric engineer and he gained more pleasure from the tinkering than the driving). In fact much of the restorative work has involved de-commissioning complex and unecessary add-ons that my father deemed necessary.
It does benefit from the Alvis box and although the water jacket is a repair job the engine/compression seems fine. I have a spair 3 litre engine too (in component form).
I know a couple of 3 Litre owners near me in Kent, they are definitely a nice bunch and a helpful club with no heirs and graces when it comes to vintage car ownership. They are however firmly in the pipe and slippers department but in a nice old school nutty engineers way. Lagonda ownership seems to attract the eccentric engineer type rather than the Lord Fontleroys. Which is nice.
If I sold it I think I would be looking closer to 6 figures than 50K. I would probably do the next best thing which would get the girls the best education possible, this would score with the old man upstairs rather than buying a toy which I would rarely get to use.
What has it cost to me? well I gave my brother 15K for it when the old man died, it was in a sorry state. My brother lives in Australia so has no interest. I guess I have spent another 15K re-commissioning to roadworthiness.
My father bought it for £50 in the late 50's having seen it working as a farmers hack carting hay around in a field. I think it was near Faversham when he was doing his apprenticeship. It took 2 days of negotiating down from £60 but one the deal was done in the pub the farmer got his farm hands to pump up the tyres and put enough fuel in for my father to drive it home that night, without lights.
Prior history isnt really known. Personally I think they are beautiful cars when all polished up and they come from the end of a magnificent era.
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