Lagondaforum

Subject: Identify that car

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Here is possibly the only picture of this car, which has been kindly forwarded to me.

Year is 1952 and the location was during Mille Miglia

Lets see how quickly the car is identified...



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Subject: Re: Identify that car

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Hi Simon,

I think this is one of the handful of V12 cars assembled after the war. Seaton's book shows the picture of a two door coupe by H.J. Mulliner on page 258. I have not seen a four door version before. I wonder if I am right?

Colin M34

Subject: Re: Identify that car

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Colin hi

Good guess, but not correct, this car was unique, a shame it has not survived.

Kind regards

Simon

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Subject: Re: Identify that car

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An earlier picture of the same car ca. 1950-51, with split front windscreen, interesting transporter and a well known make of sports racing car next to it...



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Subject: Re: Identify that car

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This one has the registration number beginning with XMC 43 which makes it Middlesex (ie Feltham) registered around 1951 so I assume it was the 3 litre factory development prototype.

Colin

Subject: Re: Identify that car

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Colin hi,

Good to see someone serious about his Lagondas. Not the prettiest of cars, looks more like a barge to me...

Getting warmer, date of manufacture is ca. 1949/50, and probably ran around on trade plates for awhile.

Engine size was always the 2.6 litre.

A pair of cars made, one as a saloon and the other as a dhc, the later has survived.

Simon

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Subject: Re: Identify that car

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Definitely a barge, and probably a gutless wonder to boot!

I suspect that someone like Jack the Breaker on the North Circular Road near Staples Corner probably cut it up with his torch around 1963!

A friend of mine bought a type 57 Bugatti from Jack around this time - and quickly resold it when he discovered water in the oil!

Colin

Subject: Re: Identify that car

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Colin hi

This is the red-monster, DP113, based on a 2.6 litre chassis, see

http://www.db-lagonda.com/dp113-red-monster/4585169701

The works chopped it I believe, no doubt run into the ground as a company hack !

Simon

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Subject: Re: Identify that car

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Ok, the plot thickens. Here is my speculation. As previously mentioned, one of the last few V12s assembled after the war was clothed in a very modern looking two door coupe by H.J. Mulliner. They were based in Chiswick - only a few miles from Feltham and Staines. Perhaps the “Red Monster” was an experimental project with Mulliner to see what could be done with post-war chassis. Certainly it is somewhat reminiscent of a Bentley Flying Spur but I am sure the 2.6 litre LB6 engine would have to work really hard to drag this barge around.

Colin

Subject: Re: Identify that car

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Colin hi

Do you have any pictures of this V12 by Mulliner please, I suspect that you are on the right track and would be delighted to know more please !

As far as barges go, you are you correct the LB6 engine would have struggled especially in early 1949 format, with that heavy bodywork.

Simon

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