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Subject: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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A 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon offered for sale at Bonhams AML auction.

The car is in a classic color combination of the time, and is a well known car in Lagonda Club circles. It has been the subject of lots of work.

The engine has been the subject of a full rebuild and the car is now equipped with a Tremec 5-speed gearbox.

If you are looking for a well sorted 1950's lagonda saloon, this may be a possible car. The owner has put many articles of his work on Ron Press's excellent site.

Registration no. LPM 949
Chassis no. LB290/1/255
Engine no. VB6H/759

Estimate is £22-28 k, wonder what it will make ?

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Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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Hello Simon,
Would you be able to add the link to the photo posts on the Lagonda Post War website? I could not trace it with the help of licence plate.
Thanks in advance - L

Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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And to all followers of this topic, if you happen to know this car and the one that was offered by H&H last year (LB290/1/121 - which did not sell then), which of these two cars would be a better one - in terms of overall condition?

Thanks for your input - L

Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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imho, this is a reasonable 3.0 litre 4-door saloon. Mechanically as well sorted as they get.

The current owner has spent a fortune on it, witha 5-speed Tremec box and rebuilt engine and so much else done...

I wonder what it will make, will be a good test of the market ?

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Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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I was now able to trace the reports of the work done on the car on the Post War Lagonda website and understand that the Tremec gearbox that has now been fitted is a non-original replacement gearbox, which made it necessary to make some structural changes to the car (e.g. interface with engine, changed gear lever position, renewed adapted tunnel cover). I guess such a change must be expected to affect the value of the car?

Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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The car did very well at the auction: GBP 64,220 (including premium) - on an estimate which was set at between 22 and 28k. Congratulations for the vendor!

Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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Yes, and not actually a nice car at all, IMHO. Some dreadful shut lines, very average paint (nasty combo), dropped n/s front door, incorrect trim (hubcaps wrong, rear badge wrong etc.), horrid retrim, faulty boot, stupid g/box substitute, almost all the work done by non-specialists etc. etc.. Just think what a really good car should make now!

Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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Do I detect a slight bias Tim to the 4-door ?

An incredible price for a paint-scheme I would not be able to live with.

The Tremec was an expensive change, which imho an over-drive unit would be a better and more cost effective solution keeping the DB box..

The dropped door is a sign of other horrors lurking within as we both know..

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Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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Not sure I understand your point about 'bias', Simon. As you know, I am very fond of all the DB Lagondas.

I could not live with the paint or the leather. The front door gap on the off side was huge - perhaps half an inch. The whole thing just looked like the kind of car cobbled together by some bozzo from their garage at home (even though that isn't quite the case here) and you know how I hate that sort of thing.

I do agree about the merit of keeping the original box and fitting a period overdrive (or equivalent). I still think that the market values originality in the specification unless there are other factors at play e.g. the market never wishes that the Borg Warner slush box had been retained in a DB4/5/6.

Subject: Re: 1956 Lagonda 3-Litre Sports Saloon for sale at AML Bonham's auction

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It was a joke, we share the same affection for these cars ...

Most people I would suggest do not possibly appreciate the expense or labour involved in sorting out the doors and potential frame problems etc etc

However, several people valued the car highly, mechanically well sorted and with an expensive engine rebuild.

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