1956 Lagonda 3-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 3-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: LB/290/11/66.

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

Today, the odometer reads 60,745 miles.

This grand and rather stately car has silver-over-black two-tone paintwork and grey leather upholstery.

From a few meters away this car presents pretty well and the bodywork is devoid of any significant dinks, dents, creases or folds that we can see.

Get a little closer and a few issues become apparent.

Firstly, although the n/s/f door closes properly it isn’t quite flush with the bodywork forward of it.

Secondly, the o/s/r door handle is missing completely and its counterpart on the other side, while still attached, appears to be making a bid for freedom.

There is cracked paint, bubbling and flaking on the ‘A’ pillars and the bodywork just below them on both sides.

A discoloured streak runs from the ‘Tickford’ badge on the n/s/f wing down to the sill.

There’s some cracked and chipped-off paint on the bodywork around the front of the bonnet, and some big paint chips on the forward edge of the o/s/r door.

There are a couple of spots of bubbling and some cracked paint at the rear of the bonnet.

The o/s/f wheel is rather rusty and tarnished (the spare wheel in the boot is in considerably better condition), but the other wheels are OK.

The chrome work is broadly decent, except for the fuel filler caps, which have a little foxing and pitting to show for their years of service.

The grey leather upholstery is really pretty good, front and back, although the driver’s seat has a few creases and cracks (but no splits) to attest to its use.

The carpets and mats are very tired. The fabric trim is falling apart in various places. The headlining is ripped and torn beyond any hope of redemption, as is the parcel shelf fabric.

All four door cards have, variously, small tears, holes, scuffs and scratches on them.

Some lacquer and varnish are missing from the dashboard and door cappings but, in general, the wood is not too bad.

Some rust is visible on the floor pan either side of the rear bench seat where the metal is exposed.

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 OK and currently contains what looks like various bits of hose employed to go to and from the air box in the engine bay.

The engine bay, though dusty and missing the bits of hose that are currently in the boot, looks dry and appears to be as it should.

There is some rust and flaking in evidence underneath the car, but it doesn’t look particularly severe or extensive to us – from what we can see.

Clearly, you’ll want to reach your own conclusion.

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.

While the car will need some work to address a few issues, inside and out, we don’t think the scale of the challenge should prove overly difficult or daunting.

We believe that the underlying, integral quality and rarity of this fine opulent, hand-built Lagonda might make the time and effort required well 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 £14,000 - £18,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.