Lagondaforum

Subject: Lagonda luggage

---

Here's a strange one.

The order sheet for my LG45 shows that it was supplied with suitcases. Was this common?

Does anyone have any or at least any photos of any? I'm thinking of making some and wonder whether they were finished with the same interior trim or in black to match the boot. Black would be my guess.

If they were made by Lagonda and are anything like the car then I suspect you would need to muscle up to be able to lift them!

I would love to see some.

---

Subject: Re: Lagonda luggage

---

Hi David

I think this was quite usual for upmarket car manufacturers to offer fitted luggage and the kind of trunks sold turn up regularly for sale. For example, a search for "Vintage Car Trunk" on eBay today yielded item numbers:

272126279158; 331793063581; 322001056898; 331793469506;

These are all the fitted top trunks which have rounded tops for them to slide into the boot. Your challenge is to find one of the correct dimensions. They are mostly too wide. I have had and sold them because they do not fit and would love to find the correct one fit the boots on my M45 and 16/80.

The lower case is flat - take a look at 311557237654 and 331792012941

Interestingly, item numbers 331793063581 and 331792012941 look like a pair. Perhaps they will fit your car!

Prices charged vary enormously and in some cases are outrageous; however I think survival rates are high and they must be fairly common, having survived the disposal of the car. I suspect they come on the market now when the houses of the deceased owners are cleared and they have been used for storage, the car having long gone.

Good luck with the search!

Colin

Subject: Re: Lagonda luggage

---

Thanks Colin,

The photos help a lot. The prices...! They must be joking.

So, it seems as if the correct luggage would have been black and probably out sourced rather than manufactured by Lagonda. As I'm unlikely to find the precise period cases I am tempted to make something a bit more swanky. Something to ponder.

David

---

Subject: Re: Lagonda luggage

---

Hi David

I love the idea of making or commissioning new cases, perhaps in nice leather. Now you know what they look like, I suggest you seek one at a car boot sale. Cheap. As it almost certainly won't fit, you will probably end up making a new frame and recycling the fittings. Results could be excellent and the envy of us all!

Colin

Subject: Re: Lagonda luggage

---

Was going to say that cannibalising an existing one may be the way to go. I bought two really nice 1950s "Revelation" cases for my Aston but my wife turned her nose up at at putting her clothes in them because the linings were a bit grubby and stained. I can see her point I suppose. Perhaps new lining in period case?

---

Subject: Re: Lagonda luggage

---

When I purchased my LG45 de Ville saloon in 2004 I obtained a copy of the factory record from Maurice Leo. These showed the original owner and his address. I made contact with the original owners son still living on the family estate in North Ayrshire ( see club magazine 215 Winter 07/08 for the article) Anyway the original owners son is now 92 and still remembers clearly the LG45 being delivered new. After our initial contact he sent me the sales brochure he had kept since 1937!
I have just looked up this brochure and on page 15 under 'equipment' there is a column for 'suggested extras' top of the list is 'brown hide suitcases 34" x 15 3/4" x 8 3/4" '
Thinking that a wealthy shipping magnate would have ordered suitcases, I asked his son if they could still be in the estate motor house. An extensive search was unsuccessful. So I have spend the last 11 years looking for brown suitcases of these dimensions but no luck I am afraid.
One observation, the suitcases may have been slightly different between designs of boot. I think your car David, has the continental touring boot which has greater capacity than the standard more sloping upper boot lid. It is likely that your luggage would have been slightly different as your car may well have been able to accommodate the trunk design that opens to reveal suitcases inside. Not sure how helpful this is but you now know Lagonda supplied brown suitcases.
Regards
Mark (Y2)

Subject: Re: Lagonda luggage

---

Thanks everyone, that is very helpful.

Over the summer I'll make a couple and see how they look. I think I'll probably cover them in the trim leather and line them with matching headlining. I'll buy a couple of the cheapest period cases I can find on eBay to copy for catches and hinges etc.

If anyone is bidding on any please let me know so that I don't bid against you. I'm not in a rush with this.

Thanks again,

David

---

Subject: Re: Lagonda luggage

---

Certainly won't be bidding against you David, I think I'll stick with soft bags for the time being. Be interested to see how yours turn out though if you can post some pictures.

---