Lagondaforum

Subject: Another V12 barnfind

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The latest issue of practical Classics, sept. 2013, pages 52-53, shows a 1939 coupe with Barker / Hooper bodywork. The car is located on a Shropshire farm...

No registration number visible what a pity or chassis number details.

According to the magazine it is not for sale, what a waste of such a fine car...



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Subject: Re: Another V12 barnfind

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Yet more proof that the independent coachbuilders were generally incapable of matching Frank Feeley's designs for the factory bodied cars. Perhaps this is unkind; perhaps their market was the old fogeys that amazingly wanted to pay extra for something less attractive but unique?
It's not terrible, and a well chosen paint scheme could work wonders. An early car, but agreed, would be interesting to see the chassis number.

Subject: Re: Another V12 barnfind

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This car has reg. number FLD 1 and chassis No 14083.

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Subject: Re: Another V12 barnfind

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That car (FLD 1 and chassis 14083) was sold as part of the Ellard collection in 1984, described as Hooper body and specially built for the wife of a director of Hooper. Its condition in 1984 was "very good" despite being in store for the previous 20 years - prior to that it was one of Ellard's own favourites in which he drove 20,000 miles.

Hard to compare the magazine pic with the Ellard catalogue - photographs are poor - so not sure if it is the same car - Ellard swapped bodies and engines among his big collection.

I would expect that the registration has been transferred by now, as it would be very valuable to those who care about vanity plates.

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Subject: Re: Another V12 barnfind

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Just looking at it again, the car in the barn is the car on the front of the Ellard auction catalogue - an absolute beauty. see the attached picture - the coachlines and body seem to match. This car needs to be bought and restored!

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Subject: Re: Another V12 barnfind

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If it is FLD1, yes, I recall the car at the Ellard sale...I think it had a 4-carb engine, furthermore I believe the first owner was a Lagonda director, Gordon Watney?

After the first few sales, prices went fairly silly at that sale, so someone paid over the odds for a perfectly good car, to just leave it to decay? Mind you, people buy puppies which go on to a life of abuse, so perhaps there is some parallel universe where this sort of thing makes sense.

Laurence

Subject: Re: Another V12 barnfind

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Thanks for all the comments about this car, what a shame that the current owner prefers to remain anonymous and let this car rot away from the bottom upwards.

Perhaps a phone call to the publishers of PC, might be a way forward, to gain further details for those interested in taking this further ?

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