1953 Lagonda 2.6-Litre

This motor car is being sold as part of a private overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams’ temporary admission customs bond. In addition to the ‘hammer’ price, the winning bidder must pay a bond release fee (£350) and also import tax/duty.

In the UK, cars over 30 years old are subject to the lower rate of 5% import tax on the final selling price if purchased by a private individual. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT. A company buying this car will always pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT on the ‘hammer’ price.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable upon proof of customs/tax payment in the other country.

The bond release fee (£350 payable direct, post-auction, to the CARS shipping company) will produce a NOVA from HMRC, this document is formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK. The vehicle is not registered anywhere. You must register the vehicle with the DVLA. Upon request, The Market can suggest some companies who can help with this process.

This vehicle has been on static display in the Middle East for a number of years, and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section. In all cases, the documents shown are photocopies, unless otherwise stated. We do not have the originals.

Unless otherwise stated, we have not tried to start or drive the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is strictly sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for viewing by appointment weekdays 9am-5pm, and we advise you (or your appointed engineer) to inspect it at our HQ near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

This RHD manual Lagonda 2.6-Litre doesn’t currently turn over, start or run, so we can only attest to its cosmetic condition.

In common with many cars from the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles, it comes with no history or service records.

The chassis number is LAG/50/327.

We know from a receipt found in the car that it was living near Stroud in Gloucestershire in 2001.

It was bought for the vendor’s collection in 2013.

Today, the odometer reads 84,818 miles.

The car’s two-tone paintwork consists of light beige over, er, slightly darker beige.

The upholstery is beige leather.

A badge on the dashboard tells us that this car won the ‘Best in Class’ award on the occasion of the 1995 Lagonda Owners’ Club Annual General Meeting.

Unfortunately, those glory days are long gone for this car, which now has project status on account of its rather dilapidated condition both inside and out.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the front grille is missing.

Fear not – it’s currently sitting on the rear seat for some unknown reason.

From a distance, the bodywork doesn’t look too bad and is at least devoid of any dents, dinks or creases of significance.

Get closer, though, and some issues become apparent.

There is bubbling on top of the o/s ‘A’ pillar, and on the boot lid and the front wing on the same side.

There’s also bubbling above the windscreen, along the top of the boot lid, on the n/s/r wing and along the length of the n/s roof gutter.

There is also bubbling and split/missing paint on the n/s/f wheel arch and beneath the n/s/r window.

There are scuffs, scratches and paint chips liberally scattered over the car.

The wheels appear to be OK but the chrome work, particularly on the bumpers, is in very poor condition.

The interior is not in a good condition.

Moths and their offspring have made short work of devouring the carpets and headlining.

The front passenger seat is ripped and the rear bench seat is unattached and loose.

The wood on the dashboard, door cappings and various inserts is, variously, cracked, dry and/or missing its lacquer and varnish.

The glove compartment is in a state of collapse and doesn’t close properly.

The trim has disintegrated in various places around the dashboard and elsewhere in the interior

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t started or driven the vehicle.

The boot looks similarly poor and currently contains what looks like the air box and some other components from the engine bay, plus what appears to be the remains of a period 1950s first-aid kit.

There is some rust in evidence underneath the car. The extent to which it may or may not compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle is something you’ll want to judge for yourself.

The car doesn’t come with any history or service records beyond what is shown in the photography section.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5. It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery constitutes any kind of current licensing or registration documentation.

Yes, this car clearly needs a fair bit of work if it’s to recapture its former glory.

But the underlying quality and rarity of these fine handmade Lagondas might well make the time and effort required worthwhile – provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £10,000 - £15,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.