If you want the best, here it is! This DB 3-litre Lagonda Drophead Coupe underwent a meticulous ground-up restoration which was only completed in 2006. Since then it has been twice voted Car of Show at the Tatton Park Classic Car Show beating 2000 other vintage cars. It also took Second place at the Woodvale show for post-war cars.
The former keeper has spent a lifetime restoring Classic Cars ranging from a Berkley 3 wheeler to an E-type, MG, Mini, S-type… but he always wanted to own a DB Lagonda Drophead. In 2003 he located a partially dismantled 1953 Lagonda DB 3-litre Saloon
(chassis No LB/290/68) minus engine and gearbox. Then he heard of a 1956 DB Saloon
(chassis LB/2/290/1/213) in Scotland which was not only complete but the engine had already been professionally rebuilt in 1995 and the car had done zero miles since.
Both cars were dismantled to the last screw and washer and a new car was born - a Drophead Coupe reproduced to the most exacting standards from the refurbished original component parts. As can be seen from the accompanying photos the restoration was more like a new-build project with great attention to detail. The original specification has been slightly modified to incorporate some subtle upgrades such as the high output alternator, Kenlowe fan, winking indicators. larger rear window,
Understandably it runs as smooth as silk with textbook oil pressure and everything is in working order - a classic car which is great fun to drive and represents a sound investment. It is only on the market as the previous owner/restorer is now only able to drive cars with Auto and PAS due to health problems, otherwise he would not have parted with it.
Comes complete with owners hand tools, workshop manual, owner’s handbook, MOT and historic tax. There is also an extensive collection of photographs showing the restoration work in progress. The trophies also go with the car.
The DB cars
In the aftermath of WW2 the Lagonda company was sold to David Brown, already the owner of Aston Martin and keen to buy the brilliant 2.6 engine by W.O.Bentley (Lagonda’s famous Technical Director)
By the end of 1952 the 2.6 design was beginning to look a trifle dated, so an all-aluminium body by Tickford with flowing lines was made into the DB 3 litre, which used a revised version of WO’s engine, bored out to give 3 litres by using asymmetric connecting rods. It was this engine that carried the Aston Martin DB3’s to victory in nine of the greatest international events of 1953. To match this world-renowned engine there was the David Brown 4-speed synchromesh gearbox, the David Brown rack and pinion steering unit, large-area Lockheed hydraulic brakes, and a unique system of independent suspension for all four wheels. The gear change was moved to the floor with the introduction of the mark 2 model in October 1955.