Lagondaforum

Subject: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

just spotted this one the internet:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C480731
description is: "Lagonda V12 long wheel base, year 1938, limousine by Thrupp & Maberly. the owner changed in 1967 the v12 engine to a straight 6 cyl engine LG6 with 4500cc. The car has a Aluminium body and a suitcase set with drawers. Only 6 cars were manufactured"
The thing is: the car on the image is quite sure not the car for sale, because DRT366 belongs to a club member whom I know quite well and he has been driving it with its V12 engine last year. Plus: the car on the photo is a V12 mid-chassis length factory body and not a long wheel base Thrupp & Maberly body.
I also wonder how an LG6 engine fits into a V12 chassis, I remember the chassis length for the LG6 was a bit longer. But maybe more has been changed.

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

To be fair, it could be a "library picture", but if it is, should have been stated as such. I daresay the Thrupp & Maberley body would be noticeably different.
The engine change? Hmmm, if it was that easy, Lagonda would not have troubled building a different chassis to accomodate the LG6 engine. Perhaps a practical conversion for a special; but a car with original coachwork...unlikely I would have thought.

Laurence

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Picture has been removed now, wait and see how it really looks

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Peter hi

I have been in contact with the vendor, pictures promised for end of week. The picture was indeed a library picture.

Car currently in very tight garage, so fun and games at end of week

if I recall the Thrupp & Maberley body on the long chassis is a bit of a monster, a link is attached:

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20926/lot/349/?page_anchor=MR1_page_lots%3D5%26r1%3D10%26m1%3D1

You are correct the LG6 chassis is a fair bit longer for the Meadows unit.

---

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Hi SRD,

Interesting find. My V12 is JPH403, and my uncle owned JPH126, a V12 Rapide, back in the 50s. I've wondered about JPH575, as I thought mine was the last V12 built in wartime.
Despite the 1941 registration, this is a much earlier car! The engine is a Sanction 1, the wheel cases have a tail, which 1940 models didn't, and the bonnet grilles are the coarser pattern commensurate with early V12s. The bumpers are also the (more attractive I think) V-section type, whereas later cars had flat *ish) blade bumpers.
Alan Good sold my car via a dealer in Deansgate in 1946, I wonder if there was some factory connection.

Laurence

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Laurence I agree with your dating.

Perhaps used by the factory and then resold on a later registration or some other ploy ?

Remember seeing the car a year plus ago. It was simply enormous, and the body work styling was not one I was comfortable with.

---

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Yes, perhaps a cancelled order, taken on by the factory.

Doubtless Lagonda were anxious to get into the carriage trade, so perhaps thought this might suit their marketing, and hoping the war would end sooner.

I would be ruder about the body. A very formal 1933 style top on 1939 wings...it doesn't work. Mind you RR seemed to have little trouble passing off some abominations in the 50s so perhaps one shouldn't be too critical.

Laurence

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Pictures now attached, of what I can only describe as a Hearse on the long chassis.

Chassis No 18014

Engine Number Originally also 10014

Plenty of food for thought, no idea of price for those interested in "early retirement in style"..

Thumbnails of attached images:

---

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Err...I think the only connection that engine has with that from an LG6 is the "6".

I wonder how many punters will be convinced by the nice "LAGONDA 4.5 LITRE" artwork on the rocker cover?

Laurence

Subject: Re: V12-6cyl Saloon

---

Looks to be a small truck or lorry engine, shoe-horned into the space.

The vendor told me I was mistaken when I queried the engine!

---