The first production Continental
1932 Lagonda 2-Litre Low Chassis Continental Tourer

• Rare Post-Vintage Thoroughbred
• Known ownership history
• Present ownership since 2001
• Fully restored

"...the first production Continental was car number OH 10101 and true to Staines tradition, it wasn't typical of the production cars, having a standard vertical 2-litre radiator and not the shuttered, sloping one." - Lagonda - a History of the Marque by Arnold Davey & Anthony May (copy of book with car).

Lagonda's early success had been founded on the production of light cars, but the company changed direction in the mid-1920s with the introduction of the 14/60. The latter abandoned the firm's traditional in-unit gearbox in favour of a midships-mounted transmission, but of greater technical interest was the engine. Designed by Arthur Davidson, the 2.0-litre 'four' featured twin camshafts mounted high in the block, operating inclined valves in hemispherical combustion chambers. Power output of this advanced design was a highly respectable 60bhp.

For the 1929 season, a 'low chassis' Speed Model was introduced, featuring revisions to the frame's front end and a higher-compression engine fitted with twin carburettors. The Speed Model had resulted from the factory's Le Mans effort of 1928, when the 2-Litre driven by André D'Erlanger and Douglas Hawkes had finished 11th overall in the 24-Hour endurance race. A classic example of racing improving the breed, the 'low chassis' 2-Litre possessed markedly superior handling characteristics courtesy of its lower centre of gravity.

The final Speed Model variant was the Continental, which featured a sloping, shuttered radiator and bigger brakes. Another distinguishing feature was its 18"-diameter wheels, which had the effect of lowering the overall gearing for improved acceleration. The Continental was in production for only four months and is thus one of the rarest of pre-war Lagondas.

This unique Continental was first registered on 27th April 1932 and is the first car built. 'KY' is a Bradford mark and the first owner is said to have been a Yorkshire mill owner (believed to be H Evan Jones). The Lagonda cost £625 when new. The original 1932 invoice exists but is not in the current owner's possession. The accompanying old-style continuation logbook lists the following owners: George Fulford of Kent (1955); James Evans of London (1961); and Keith Hamilton Murray of London (1961). During the 1960s the car was stripped for restoration, but even though thousands of pounds were spent on parts the project was never completed.

Having seen the Lagonda advertised in Classic Car Weekly in August 2001, our vendor purchased the car and totally restored it. According to the vendor: "Amazingly for a car stored in pieces for so long, there was very little missing and most of the restoration work done previously had been well carried out." Despite this, substantial work was still required, and so a further comprehensive restoration was undertaken. This included works to the engine (rebored, crankshaft reconditioned); gearbox; sump; and bodywork, while the original exterior blue colour was reinstated. In addition a new radiator installed, while the only modifications notified are a manual choke and an electrical cutout switch.

Since returning to the road the Continental has attended many local rallies, nearly always coming away with a 'Best in Show' award. An article about the car's restoration was published in The Automobile magazine (November 2012 edition).

The accompanying history file contains old registration documents; the 2001 purchase invoice; expired MoT certificates for the period 2008 to 2012; a V5C document in the vendor's name; numerous email printouts of exchanges of historical information between past owners; numerous invoices for minor works and purchases of parts; and a photo album covering predominantly the restoration as well as one period photo. Only sold due to the vendor's age, this beautiful Post-Vintage Thoroughbred is described by him as in very good condition throughout.