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Mar 20, 2012 12:52 am
Mar 20, 2012 12:52 am
Subject: Re: Wanted 1950's 2.6 or 3.0 litre Lagonda
Hi Simon,
Thanks for the kind words.
Re your plan, a 3 litre car is an excellent choice if i may say so. I agree with much that has been said by Peter on this site and Tony on the AMOC site. That said, I think matters are definitely improving (in terms of the survival of these cars).
These days, I'm not sure that anyone (who understood the market) would 'rob' a 3 litre for its engine now. This is because (a) the values of the cars have risen, and are rising, significantly, and (b) 3 litre engine parts have been remanufactured now to the extent that you can just about build a complete one from new parts.
In terms of the condition of wrecks still out there, it seems that you have been particularly unlucky in terms of the cars you've viewed. Most are very far from being terminally rusty, principally because the cruciform chassis is so massive and the superstructure is largely constructed of alloy over ash frame. The frame rots, of course, and the alloy corrodes etc.. But, generally speaking these cars are almost a better bet corrosion-wise than the equivalent AMs of the era.
As others have said, what you have to decide is what you really want. I agree with Peter that the 3 litre DHC is just about as beautiful a car of the '50s as it's possible to find. But, there are different types of use and beauty. I happen to think that the 3 litre Mark 2 (4 door) saloon is a lovelier and more beautiful beast than the equivalent Bentley, Alvis, AC, Bristol etc. etc. of the era. It is, to my eye, the most resolved iteration of the model in aesthetic terms. It is more sporty and nimble than its competitors. It's a great tourer and an elegant carriage for an evening in the metropolis. And, it's more rare than them all. Having said all that, the 2 door saloon has many devotees of its own. They suffer slightly from the fact that most have the column change. But, that apart (and you can always convert) many would say that the car is the thinking man's answer to the ultra-rare DB MkIII notch back - less of small sporty luxury car (4 door); more of a large GT (2 door).
More thoughts to follow, in due course.
Regards,
Tim
Hi Simon,
Thanks for the kind words.
Re your plan, a 3 litre car is an excellent choice if i may say so. I agree with much that has been said by Peter on this site and Tony on the AMOC site. That said, I think matters are definitely improving (in terms of the survival of these cars).
These days, I'm not sure that anyone (who understood the market) would 'rob' a 3 litre for its engine now. This is because (a) the values of the cars have risen, and are rising, significantly, and (b) 3 litre engine parts have been remanufactured now to the extent that you can just about build a complete one from new parts.
In terms of the condition of wrecks still out there, it seems that you have been particularly unlucky in terms of the cars you've viewed. Most are very far from being terminally rusty, principally because the cruciform chassis is so massive and the superstructure is largely constructed of alloy over ash frame. The frame rots, of course, and the alloy corrodes etc.. But, generally speaking these cars are almost a better bet corrosion-wise than the equivalent AMs of the era.
As others have said, what you have to decide is what you really want. I agree with Peter that the 3 litre DHC is just about as beautiful a car of the '50s as it's possible to find. But, there are different types of use and beauty. I happen to think that the 3 litre Mark 2 (4 door) saloon is a lovelier and more beautiful beast than the equivalent Bentley, Alvis, AC, Bristol etc. etc. of the era. It is, to my eye, the most resolved iteration of the model in aesthetic terms. It is more sporty and nimble than its competitors. It's a great tourer and an elegant carriage for an evening in the metropolis. And, it's more rare than them all. Having said all that, the 2 door saloon has many devotees of its own. They suffer slightly from the fact that most have the column change. But, that apart (and you can always convert) many would say that the car is the thinking man's answer to the ultra-rare DB MkIII notch back - less of small sporty luxury car (4 door); more of a large GT (2 door).
More thoughts to follow, in due course.
Regards,
Tim