1953 Lagonda Coupe

This Lagonda was purchased by the penultimate owner in 2016 from a fellow VSCC member who had previously purchased the car at auction in 2005. 

The car was the subject of a comprehensive restoration some years ago and has been diligently cared-for and curated ever since.

The restoration was conducted by a previous owner who was a coachmaker by trade, and he carried out and oversaw the work through his business.

The project encompassed a full cosmetic restoration and refurbishment, including a retrimmed leather interior.

The engine was rebuilt by Aston Martin specialists Headshops of Warrington in 2015 and has covered fewer than 2,000 miles since. An alternator conversion was fitted during the electrical rewire. 

The Lagonda has been kept safe, warm and dry as part of a collection since 2021, when the vendor bought it.

Over the years it has won hearts, minds and admiring glances at numerous events and shows, including the Tatton Park Classic Car Show and the Lagonda Club AGM at the De Vere Wokefield Estate. 

The car is in excellent dynamic, mechanical and aesthetic condition.

It drives every bit as impressively as it looks…and it looks fabulous.

The bodywork is straight, true and untroubled by any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or other aberrations of any real consequence.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are consistent and crisp, and the doors close with plenty of heft and certainty.

The beige hood is in similarly impressive order and it goes up and down with a minimum of fuss.

The paintwork, a vibrant shade of red, has done well to hold on to plenty of shine and depth of lustre, and as you can see from the photographs, it really does pop and sing in the sunshine.

Of course, there are one or two cosmetic blemishes here and there, and as it’s our job to find things to moan about, here’s what we’ve found on the car.

There’s a scratch and a few stone chips on the bonnet and around the front grille; a scratch near the headlight and some cracked paint forward of the wheel arch on the n/s/f wing; some paint chips to the middle and rear of the passenger door; some chips to the rear edge of the driver’s door; a small patch of bubbling at the corner of the o/s/r wing; a little bubbling and a small dent on the o/s/f wing.

The chrome on the grille, bumpers, spot lamps, landau arms and rear wheel-arches is broadly very good, and the only light foxing and pitting we’ve seen is on the wheels, which are shod in matching Michelin rubber. 

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all appear to be in very good order. 

The sumptuous interior of this majestic car is testimony to the outstanding craft skills of Lagonda’s French polishers and saddlers, and the restorers who followed them.

The cream-coloured leather on the upholstery and door cards is supple and warmly inviting, and the seats – front and back – are as comfortable as they are supportive.

The seats have yet to earn much more than a light crease, let alone any ingrained patina, although there are some blue stains in evidence on the driver’s seat squab.

The rich and glossy veneers on the dashboard and door cappings have stoically resisted the temptation to crack, fade or shed their lacquer.

The carpets, door cards, and roof lining are following the same script in terms of quality and condition.

As far as we’re aware, all of the car’s charmingly analogue buttons, knobs, switches, dials, levers and instruments do what they’re supposed to do without hesitation, deviation or repetition. 

The steering wheel has a few patches of missing paint, and a little surface rust has crept into them in a few places.

The tonneau cover for the hood is in excellent condition, as is the capacious carpeted boot. 

You can learn a lot about the sort of care that’s been given to a car by looking into the engine bay.

The dry, clean, orderly nature of this one reassures us that the car has been properly looked-after.

Everything appears to be in its right and proper place and the engine and its ancillaries look fresh and ready to spring into action.

The car’s undersides are equally impressive and everything looks sound, solid, clean and possessed of plenty of structural integrity.

This car comes with a thick wad of bills, invoices and receipts attesting to work carried out prior to, during, and after its restoration. These include a breakdown of the work involved in the 2015 Headshop engine rebuild.

The car also comes with plenty of old MoT certificates, a recent HPI report, a workshop manual and a Lagonda ‘Instruction Book’, a V5C and full sets of keys. 

They don’t make them like this anymore, more’s the pity.

One of the most revered names in automotive history, Lagonda is pungently redolent of all things archaically British – cucumber sandwiches, duffle coats, tea strainers, buck-toothed vicars, and fierce aunts scented with tweed, feathers and smelling salts. 

But Lagonda was always a business with innovation and engineering integrity at its heart, and the firm made some truly exceptional sporting cars of the highest quality.

This example is just one or two minor cosmetic jobs away from being the best possible version of itself, and is certainly the finest example of a 2.6 DHC that we’ve had the pleasure of hosting.

It’s really very good indeed.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £35,000 - £40,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.