Lagondaforum

Subject: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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At the upcoming Bonhams sale on 29 April, lot 340, you can bid for a car with a rebuilt engine... http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20926/lot/340/?page_anchor=MR1_page_lots%3D4%26r1%3D10%26m1%3D1

The vendor ... in 2000 decided to have the engine fully rebuilt, a process that has taken another 13 years to complete. Undertaken by the Vintage Carriage Company of Lingfield, Surrey, the engine rebuild was finished earlier this year, as were overhauls of the dynamo and magneto, while the clutch was rebuilt in 2012. ...The special tools manufactured to assist with rebuild are included in the sale. The engine rebuild cost almost £198,000 (not a misprint!) as evidenced by numerous supporting bills, detailed work sheets and a photographic record running to several hundred images, all in bound files.

Can anyone in this community explain how it could take 13 years and £198,000 to do this? or why that was the best approach?

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Subject: Re: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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Interesting! Bound files never impress me as much as a the sound and looks of a sweet engine. The only thing I can conclude is that lawyers must have got involved. The “detailed work sheets and a photographic record running to several hundred images, all in bound files” must have been prepared by, or for “Learned Counsel” involved in a dispute that must have lasted 13 years.

Depressingly, as the cars get more desirable, so people with money but not knowledge will become further involved and put the cars further from the reach of mere engineers and STEM Ambassadors such as myself.

Fortunately, Lagondas were made in sufficient numbers that there remain decent projects that do not cost the price of a small house to restore and enjoy.

I await the results of this auction with interest.

Colin M34

Subject: Re: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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Not the neatest of rebuilds,it is sacrilege to leave carburettors
open to ingest all maner of grit that is on the roads these days.
Dust off Granite chippings makes a very good lapping paste,
much better to fit decent filtration.

Ray Sherratt.

Subject: Re: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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Hey, Colin, some 'learned counsel' are Lagonda fanciers too, ya know.

Subject: Re: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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Hay,TVJL, I have "learned" 50 years on the tools, I think
gives me a certain right to make coment. If on the other
hand YOU think I should remain stum ( which is your )
prerogative then I will. Advice to amateur or professional
engineers should`nt be sneered at, it`s common courtesy.

Ray Sherratt.

Subject: Re: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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Ray, I was not sneering at anyone or trying to stop them saying anything. I was just trying to say - in fun - that some lawyers (and members of this forum etc.) love Lagondas too. That's all.

Subject: Re: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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Hi Tim, not a problem.

Us engineers need lawyers as well. With a patent granted in the UK and under examination in Japan, my patent attorney looks after me well so I can't complain.

I will still like to know who charged the big fee for doing the Bonhams engine.

Colin

Subject: Re: Rebuilding an engine of a 1931 2 Litre

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Oh, so would I. And, by the way, I'm not saying that your first guess at a reason was wide of the mark either.

Tim