1954 Lagonda Coupe

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported from the Middle East under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond. Car older than 30 years are subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as 20% import VAT on the hammer.

A company buying the car will have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT. If you plan to export the car to your location, then you will only pay tax in that country, and can ignore these fees.

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.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for removing the car from bond and generating a NOVA from HMRC, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and is required to register the vehicle with the DVLA.

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, so it will require recommissioning and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be pleased to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with very little history and no service records.

We haven’t tried to start or drive this car and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition.

We know that the chassis number is LB/290/65.

We know that, today, the odometer reads 49,260 miles.

We know that it was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles 2012.

In general, and from a few yards away, this car presents pretty well.

The chrome is good except on the overriders, front and back, and the n/s fuel filler cap.

The wheels, too, look to be in pretty reasonable condition.

This is an impression that diminishes (but doesn’t vanish altogether) as you get closer.

While the bodywork is mainly true, and the panels are mostly straight, there are nonetheless various small dinks, dents and scuffs here and there.

The dark green paint is good, fair, dull, rough, cracked or split – depending on where you look.

There is a sizeable scuff and scrape on the n/s/r wheel arch, micro-blistering on the boot lid and a few other panels, paint chips on the leading edges of the n/s door, and cracks and scuffs to the paint on the o/s/f wing and door.

There is an exposed mounting hole on top of the o/s/f wing.

Occasionally, the passenger door stubbornly refuses to open. Its counterpart on the driver’s side is far more compliant but drops down a tad on opening.

There are paint chips on the n/s/f door and a shallow dent, paint chips and scratches on the n/s/f wing.

The paint is cracked and chipped below the windscreen.

There is some bubbling at the lower, rear edge of the o/s door and in the sill below it.

The boot handle is inclined to make a bid for freedom by coming away in your hand when pulled.

Finally, there are some paint chips on the roof and the n/s trafficator is missing.

It’s a fairly long list of relatively minor flaws, but most, we think, are superficial in nature.

The rear seats are somewhat better. If the creasing on the front seats is at Keith Richards level, we’d rate the rear seats at around the Gordon Ramsay mark.

The carpets in the front are both threadbare and moth-eaten. Somewhat inexplicably, they have fared rather better in the rear.

The headlining has survived surprisingly well and is simply a bit grubby.

The door card on the driver’s side has broken free from its moorings and is hanging loose.

The wood on the door cappings has lost its lacquer and varnish all round. The veneers on the dashboard are crazed and, in places, the lacquer is missing entirely.

There is a crack in the driver’s side quarter-light.

The instruments, gear lever and steering wheel are very much of their era and seem to be in acceptable condition.

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

As expected, the undersides are showing some rust dust and flaking.

That said, most of what we can see looks to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to take a look for yourself.

The engine and engine bay look clean and dry.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, this car 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. Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification

We haven’t tried to start or drive the car so our understanding of it is somewhat limited.

That said, provided the car’s engine and mechanicals prove to be in proper working order and amenable to recommissioning, we think this 1951 Lagonda 2.6 litre has enough intrinsic quality and class to merit the restorative attentions rightfully due to a distinguished and highly desirable classic from one of the world’s grand marques.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £20,000 - £30,000, 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; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing.