The Lagonda 3 litre was the last regular car under the Lagonda badge, after David Brown bought the marquee in 1947. The 3-litre was the successor of the 2.6 and was introduced in 1953. One of the main features remained the DOHC engine, originally designed by W.O. Bentley for Lagonda and now enlarged to three litre, producing 140 BHP.
The first version of the 3-litre was a two door coach, followed by a drophead coupe in 1954 as well as a sedan. The main handicap of the car was its weight, while also the price made competing with Jaguar almost impossible. Production ceased in 1957, but the sedan Series II was further improved in 1956 by installing a floor shift system. In total 430 3-Litres left the factory. Bodywork was done by Tickford, the famous coachbuilder that was also taken over by David Brown in 1955.
The name Lagonda was revived in 1961, when Aston Martin launched the four door Rapide, of which ultimately 55 were built over a 3 year period. Then the name went to sleep, only to be used again by the famous wedge Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide.
Shown here is a painstakingly restored 1954 3-Litre Coupe model, which during a 10 year restoration process was also fitted with the later floor shift system. The proud owner brought the car to the 2006 Silverstone Classics.