RARE LAGONDA V12 SALOON SOLD PRIOR TO AUCTION
A 1939 Lagonda V12 Hooper two door saloon that was set to go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ Restoration Show Sale at the NEC, Birmingham this weekend has been snapped up in a significant six figure pre-auction deal.
The auction house do not usually accept pre-auction sales but due to the gravitas and strength of the offer, and in full consultation with the vendor, it was impossible to ignore.
The unique car, a highly original and matching numbers example, was estimated at between £75,000 and £100,000. It was built for the wife of the owner of Hooper Bodies Ltd, the most noted coach builder of the era, and first registered in August 1939. With the onset of war just weeks later the car was placed into storage before being sold to a Mr Harry Ellard in 1952.
The car was sold as part of the famous Ellard collection that was sold at auction in 1984 with this car taking pride of place on the front cover of the catalogue. The next owner enjoyed the car until 2001 when it changed hands once again. It has now sold having been in storage for the past 13 years, ready for its new owner to restore it to its former glory.
Managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to generate so much interest in a car prior to the auction and is testament to the quality and uniqueness of cars that we offer buyers. Clearly the car was in high demand and so the successful buyer did not want to risk missing out on such a magnificent example.”
Over 80 barn finds, restoration projects and more roadworthy classic cars are being prepared for the auction this Saturday, April 12th.
Nick added: “I’m delighted that we’ve secured a successful sale for the vendor and look forward to seeing the car fully restored in the future. If the sale of this car is anything to go by then this weekend’s auction should generate great interest”.
An extremely rare 1939 Lagonda V12 Hooper two door saloon that has covered just 40,000 miles from new, is set to headline Silverstone Auctions’ very first Restoration Show Sale, at the NEC, Birmingham on April 12th.
The unique car,a highly original and matching numbers example, is estimated at between £75,000 and £100,000. It was built for the wife of the owner of Hooper Bodies Ltd, the most noted coach builder of the era, and first registered in August 1939. With the onset of war just weeks later the car was placed into storage before being sold to a Mr Harry Ellard in 1952.
A highly successful Midlands engineer, Ellard built up a stunning collection of around 40 cars of which this was the centrepiece. Reportedly the largest collection of Lagondas, Ellard owned another five models. Following his death, his famous collection was sold at auction in 1984 with this car taking pride of place on the front cover of the catalogue. The next owner enjoyed the car until 2001 when it changed hands once again. Now offered for auction having been in storage for 13 years, the car requires a complete restoration.
Managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “We’re very proud to play a part in the car’s unique history. Lagonda was one of Britain’s finest luxury marques and this model’s fascinating history is sure to raise the interest of potential owners.”
The model was a Lagonda created under the guidance of W.O Bentley, who owner Alan P. Good had persuaded to join the company following Rolls Royce’s acquisition of Bentley. The sale of the car comes amidst reports that Aston Martin is set to re-launch the Lagonda name with a new luxury SUV.
Nick added: “For those looking for a one-off restoration project or rare pre-war model, this car will certainly be of interest.”
1939 Lagonda V12 2 door Saloon
Founded in 1906 in Middlesex by an American opera singer with Scottish ancestry,Wilbur Gunn, ‘ Lagonda’ first produced motorcycles prior to car production ~ which commenced in 1907 with the 20hp, 6 cylinder ‘Torpedo’ model. The company was named after Lagonda Creek, near Springfield Ohio, Wilbur’s home town in the USA.
Production was slowed by the first world war but soon regained momentum with sales success and some innovative ground breaking features, including development of the first ever fly-off handbrake and a complex 8 speed Maybach transmission. In 1935 the company sadly went bust and was subsequently bought by Alan P.Good, who just outbid Rolls Royce Motors. He persuaded W.O Bentley to leave Rolls Royce and join Lagonda as chief designer which instantly regained the company’s sales momentum and further sales success came quickly, not least because of his masterpiece V12 engine launched in 1937 which revolutionised luxury cars at the time.
This beautiful Lagonda V12 2 door ‘Hooper’ saloon is a unique car specially built for the wife of the owner of Hooper Bodies Ltd. (the most noted British body builder of the era) and first registered in August 1939. It features a 5509cc ‘Rapide’ 4 Carburettor engine and coachwork similar to the standard pillarless saloon found on post-war Rolls Royce, Bentley and Daimler chassis which embodied the traditional Hooper ‘Razor Edge’ design. Stored throughout the War the car was eventually sold to Mr. Harry Ellard in March 1952 at a mileage reading of 19,266.
Henry Ellard, known as Harry, was a highly successful engineer who built up the ‘Henry Meadows’ Wolverhampton enginering and engine producing business. He designed for the metal pressing business in the Black Country and was so successful that many of his designs are still being produced today. Becoming extremely wealthy during his life, the Midlands entrepreneur was able to start his hobby of collecting outstanding cars that had been well engineered and reflected great workmanship. The Lagonda certainly met this criteria as he was to own 6 cars, but this rare and special car was his clear favourite. He owned this car throughout the rest of his life as a part of his very significant collection until his final days when the entire collection was sold off in July 1984 by Colliers Bigwood and Bewlay at auction. This car was to feature on the cover of the catalogue which offered his amazing and treasured collection. By this stage the car had now covered a documented 39,809 miles from new.
The condition of the car at that sale was described in the catalogue as ‘generally very good’ and the new owner, Don Williams, was to enjoy the car up until 2001 when it changed hands to our current owner and vendor. It has been in storage ever since and now requires a complete restoration.
So, in summary, we are offering an extremely rare and very highly regarded matching numbers and highly original Lagonda, which includes it’s original and collectable registration number ‘FLD 1’ (which we are told is transferrable) and the original buff log book showing just 3 former keepers and a genuine mileage of circa 40,000 from new.
Silverstone Auctions are very proud to play a part of this unique car’s history.