1933 Lagonda 3 Litre Pillarless ST24A Saloon

This delightful and much loved Lagonda is a rare matching numbers car and has an interesting history. First registered in January 1934, by 1948 TV 9829 resided in Nottinghamshire before moving to Leicestershire in the 1950s; Robert Raymond Stechfield purchased the motor car for the princely sum of £90 in 1959 and it remained in his care until at least the early 1980s. The current custodian bought the Lagonda in 2012 as a barn find project; it was understood to have been in storage since 1961 and although it retained much of its originality, a sympathetic restoration was required to return the vehicle to its former glory. The bonnet and wings were removed and bead blasted, and the entire car was given a bare metal respray after the ash frame was renewed where necessary. The interior (upholstery, carpets, door cards and headlining) was stripped and retrimmed as per the original pattern and the sunroof was replaced with a new Cathedral glass sliding unit. The dashboard was removed and restored and refitted with the original refurbished instrumentation and fittings. The brightwork was rechromed, the wheels restored and powder coated and then fitted with the correct tyres. The Lagonda has been rewired, the magneto and starter motor are restored (the magneto by Tony Stairs) and the carburettors refurbished. There is a sports exhaust and a John Ryder sports camshaft. In 2022, the powerful motor car was set up on a rolling road and we are told that it is used regularly and drives beautifully.

Mechanically now, we are informed that there are no known faults. The bodywork is sound and solid, the four doors open and close impressively and the shut lines are excellent. The paint work is good but the vendor says not concours. The interior is lovely and has been very well executed. Instrumentation on the original dash is all working (apart from the Andre Telecontrol dials). All in all, a well-cared for and usable, up-together example which should provide its next owner with many miles of happy motoring throughout the year.

The history file contains significant early correspondence, an MOT test certificate from 1961, original instructions for the Andre Hydro-Telecontrol shock absorbers, invoices from 1957 and a purchase agreement from the same year, copies of the Lagonda Club magazine and others, a lubrication chart and wiring diagrams, numerous invoices and a large amount of correspondence from the current ownership, some photographs of the restoration, the RF60 continuation book and the V5C registration certificate.

Auction Date: 17 October 2024