1932 Lagonda 2-Litre Supercharged 'Low Chassis' T2 Tourer

• Comprehensively restored by marque specialists
• Fitted with numerous mechanical improvements
• One of the finest British sporting cars of its day

Having established its reputation by winning the Moscow - St Petersburg Reliability Trial of 1910 with a 30hp six, Lagonda concentrated mainly on the production of light cars before reverting to sporting and luxury models 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-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 Andre D'Erlanger and Douglas Hawkes had finished 11th overall in the 24-Hour endurance classic. 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.

For all its virtues, Davidson's engine was limited by its tortuous induction tracts, and in 1930 a supercharged version was introduced to overcome this deficiency. The 'blower' was mounted vertically in front of the engine, which was fitted with a stronger crankshaft, while a 3-Litre rear axle beefed up the transmission. A Powerplus supercharged was specified at first, but most 'blown' 2-Litres came with a Cozette. Thus equipped, a 'low chassis' 2-Litre was capable of up to 90mph.

This supercharged low-chassis tourer was first registered on 23rd September 1932 with the chassis number 'OH 10108' and engine number of 'OH 1857'. Early records indicate a Mr Page of Stratford competed in the car, and made some modifications to the car's front suspension in order to eliminate the front wheel hop that is so susceptible to these cars.

The car was discovered at the beginning of this century in parts and has since undergone a ground-up rebuild in the style of a T2 by Peter and Alun Jones of Wessex Workshops. The car is fitted with a rebuilt 4.2 ratio light rear axle, rather than the heavier 14/60 type. The front axle was also rebuilt. Small modifications were made to the track rods and additional shock absorbers were fitted to cure the car of axle tramping, and the original-type exhaust has been modified to allow a flange joint with the downpipe. The engine is fitted with a standard head but a re-routed waterflow to cool the exhaust valves. A full-flow oil filter system is fitted, new timing chains are fitted and improvements have also been made to the water pump. Structurally, the ash frame has been comprehensively replaced and re-covered, while the floors, battery box and fuel tank have also been restored. An exhaustive and photographed list of further mechanical improvements is on file, including improvements to the brakes, pistons, crank bearings, a lightened flywheel and leaf springs. The camshafts fitted are those from a Double 12 Brooklands car. Additionally, the Z-Type gearbox has been rebuilt by Phil Ridout using Double 12 gears. For improved comfort, pneumatic front seat squabs have been installed and the car also features a new tonneau and hood.

Offered with a V5 registration document; restoration photographs and a documentation of the restoration work and modifications carried out.