1939 Lagonda V-12
- Engine
- V12, multi-material construction including aluminum alloy components
- Colour
- Bright red with fawn top
A Lagonda V-12 built in August 1939, chassis 14113 is among the last of fewer than 200 examples completed and one of a small group stored in a Chelsea chapel during the Second World War. Originally delivered to the United States in October 1940, it passed through several notable American collections including Harrah's Automobile Collection in Reno and the Blackhawk Collection before entering private California ownership. Subsequently acquired by New Jersey collector John Shibles, it was comprehensively freshened and shown successfully at prestigious concours events including the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$425,000 – US$500,000
- 1940-10-01 →Factory deliveryJoseph Luchsfull documentation
Austrian-born Manhattan dress manufacturer who had long coveted a Lagonda; arranged bespoke modifications including rear fender skirts, wheel discs, and driving lights before taking delivery in New York.
- → 1963-03-01Walter D. Douglas IIfull documentation
Resident of the Lido Isle enclave in Newport Beach; his attorney contacted Harrah's in 1962 to explore a sale, which was eventually concluded the following March.
- 1963-03-01 → 1985Private saleHarrah's Automobile Collectionfull documentation
Reno-based museum collection; Bill Harrah personally directed the acquisition. A research file compiled by the collection accompanies the car.
- 1985 →AuctionKen Behring's Blackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired at the dispersal sale of the Harrah's fleet; had the car restored in a red finish with a fawn roof and interior during the latter part of the decade.
- → 2015Acquisition unknownNorthern California private collectorpartial documentation
Prominent Northern California collection that held the car quietly for roughly three decades before the 2015 sale.
- 2015 →Private saleJohn Shiblesfull documentation
Sea Girt, New Jersey enthusiast known for a carefully curated collection of top-tier classics; nicknamed the car 'Lipstick' and commissioned an extensive 16-month mechanical and cosmetic refresh at Steve Babinsky's Automotive Restorations.
- Date unknownRobert C. Baconpartial documentation
Grain trader based in Boston; held the car at some point after Luchs and prior to Douglas.
Competition
- 20172017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Exhibited by John Shibles; no placing mentioned in the prose.
- 20192019 Elegance at Hershey1st in class
- 20202020 Greenwich Concours1st in class
- —Cavallino ClassicCavallino Classic 27 — Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-LagoLadies' Choice award
Recognised with the Ladies' Choice distinction at the 27th edition of the Cavallino event.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1985Restoration
Described at the time of the Harrah's dispersal auction as retaining originality except for some cosmetic work, with the original hood and interior still in place.
This characterisation appears in the 1985 auction catalogue rather than describing a specific restoration episode.
- —Restoration
Full cosmetic restoration carried out for the Blackhawk Collection, resulting in a bright red finish with a complementary fawn soft top and interior.
Work completed sometime in the latter part of the 1980s; specific date not given.
- —RestorationSteve Babinsky's Automotive Restorations
A sixteen-month programme of comprehensive freshening encompassing an engine rebuild, fabrication of a new exhaust system, proper recoring of the radiator, and partial re-trimming of the interior, all executed to a high standard with supporting invoices retained.
Commissioned by John Shibles following his 2015 acquisition; work completed before the car's 2017 Pebble Beach appearance.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.