Lagondaforum

Subject: Lagonda Magneto

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First off, thanks for letting me join your forum.

At the weekend, I bought a B.T.H magneto which at the time I thought was a mag-dyno and would be suitable for my pre-war Vincent motorcycle.

It turns out that it's not the right one at all, and it's been suggested that it's a dynamo suitable for a Lagonda car.

Can anyone here help me identify the model and cars that it might be suitable for?

Look forward to receiving any suggestions.

Many thanks.

Graham



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Subject: Re: Lagonda Magneto

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Hi,
Are there any identifying numbers stamped on the body?
Best Regards
Chris

Subject: Re: Lagonda Magneto

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It looks like B1377

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Subject: Re: Lagonda Magneto

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I forgot to ad it looks like an early GA4 model, but which GA4 I don't know.
I think Riley, Alvis and other marks used them.
I have seen a couple of BTH magnetos on 2L Lagonda's but the preferred choice was always a Scintilla.
That was until after 1933 when Scintilla refused any further credit to Lagonda which is where I think BTH stepped in.
Let me know what serial numbers, stamped casting numbers you find and I will see if I can identify it for you.
Best Regards
Chris

Subject: Re: Lagonda Magneto

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Hi Chris,

I think you are correct about this being an early GA4 model. I don't think it was used on a Lagonda - it may have been used on something like a Bullnose Morris.

Regarding 4 cylinder Lagondas, I have seen BTH, ML and Scintilla used. I prefer ML because it is a rotating magnet machine. Rapiers seem to have used BTH and as you say, late 2 Litres use Scintilla - as do 16/80s.

M45s use a mixture of BTH and Scintilla and I have clamp bars for both.

Now for a laugh. I agree with you that magneto suppliers probably refused to provide any more units until they were paid. I suggest they were ordered in fairly large batches - say 100 to 150 at a time, and when BTH refused further credit they turned to Scintilla and vice versa. So when the 16/80 was launched they had enough Scintilla PN6s to cover production for a year or so but then they did not pay the bill so had to go to BTH for the Rapier and M45.

As a company verging on insolvency it must have been a nightmare working out who to pay next to keep production going. No wonder the salesmen were encouraged to get deposits from customers straight away.

Cheers Colin

Subject: Re: Lagonda Magneto

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Hi Colin,
Well I most certainly would not have done business with them.
Ouch!
Best Regards
Chris