1938 Lagonda V-12 Drophead Coupé
- Engine
- 4.5L SOHC V12, ~195 bhp
- Colour
- Prussian Blue
A rare factory-bodied Lagonda V-12 Drophead Coupé, delivered new on 4 July 1938 and retaining its original engine, chassis, and coachwork. Powered by W.O. Bentley's masterwork 4,480 cc SOHC V-12, the car passed through several distinguished hands including a Dutch aviation and bloodstock entrepreneur and a Scottish earl who housed it in a private motor museum at Darnaway Castle. A comprehensive engine rebuild in 2008 restored full performance, and the car has since participated in European rallies and the 2015 Holyroodhouse Concours of Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate £235,000 – £285,000
- 1938-07-04 →Factory deliveryK. Andersonfull documentation
First registered owner, based in Middlesex. Vehicle saw minimal use during the wartime period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHenry Wijnmalenpartial documentation
Dutch-born British subject who accumulated wealth before WWII through aircraft imports and racehorse breeding. Featured alongside the car in a period newspaper.
- Date unknownPrivate saleDouglas John Moray Stewart, Lord Doune (later 20th Earl of Moray)full documentation
Used the car as personal transport before adding it to his motor museum at Warnaway Castle, Scotland. Had it repainted from silver to Prussian Blue in 1970; ownership lasted roughly two decades. Car was featured in a published book on British private collections.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownGerman rally enthusiastpartial documentation
Fourth owner who undertook a thorough mechanical restoration over approximately ten years, including a full V-12 rebuild completed in 2008. Drove the car on multiple European rallies with his wife.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownFifth and present ownerspartial documentation
Retained the original British registration HSO 100 and maintained the car in good running order. Participated in events including the 2015 Holyroodhouse Concours of Elegance.
Competition
- 20152015 Concours of Elegance, Palace of Holyroodhouse
The car participated over two days of driving through the Scottish Highlands as part of the event program.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1970Bodywork
Exterior repainted from the original silver finish to Prussian Blue.
Carried out during Lord Doune's ownership.
- 2008Engine rebuild
Full strip-down and rebuild of the 4,480 cc V-12, incorporating a new camshaft, Mahle pistons, and purpose-made valves. Post-rebuild power test confirmed output of 195 bhp.
Commissioned by the fourth owner as part of a decade-long sympathetic recommissioning programme aimed at preserving originality.
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