1932 Lagonda 2-Litre Type CB T4 Continental Tourer

Footnotes

The early success of Wilbur Gunn's Lagonda marque had been founded on the production of light cars – his earliest efforts were tricars reputedly built in the greenhouse of his Middlesex home – and it was the 11hp four-cylinder model of the pre-Great War years that first brought the marque to prominence.

Competition in that sector of the market from the likes of Morris and Austin, who were able to benefit from the economies of large scale production, saw Lagonda re-focus in the mid 1920s on a more substantial, high quality 14/60hp model which was to be the mainstay of production through into the 1930s. The Arthur Davidson designed , four cylinder, 2 litre engine featured twin camshafts mounted high in the cylinder block, operating inclined valves in hemispherical combustion chambers and power output was a very respectable 60bhp. Announced in the summer of 1925, the new model's chassis was a functional ladder design from A.E. Masters and featured Rubery brakes operating on all four wheels. The Lagonda had grown up - here was a new car, robust and well engineered, capable of sustaining high touring speeds and offered with a variety of elegant factory coachwork, particularly in Tourer and Semi-Sports guise. For the 1929 season, inspired by the company's 11th place at Le Mans in 1928, a 'low chassis' Speed Model was introduced with enhancements to the frame's front end. The four cylinder 2 litre engine produced greater output thanks to higher compression and twin carburettors – this model was truly race-bred. In supercharged form the new 'low chassis' 2-litre was capable of 90mph performance.

The ultimate development of the Speed Model was the Continental announced in April 1932, an unsupercharged car with coachbuilt steel panelling (early 2 litre models were fabric bodied). The face-lifted, three door, four seat T4 tourer featured also a distinctive slanting radiator, more flush fitting hood, sweeping trailing edges to the bonnet sides, 18 inch diameter wheels and more purposeful ribbed-drum brakes. The Continental was slightly heavier than its predecessor but, with overall lower gearing, performance was perhaps slightly better and the Continental boasted a top speed of around 80mph.

From a very limited production run, OH 10117 was first registered on 30th September 1932 with Manchester County Borough Council. The complete history of this most original car is not fully recorded however a dashboard plaque from Gaffikin, Wilkinson & Co.Ltd of Hanover Square, London, suggests that at some time it may have passed through their hands. In 1957 it was registerd to P.J.Morlock of Maidstone, passing the following year to G.E.Welby-Everard in Nottinghamshire, later belonging twice to dealer/enthusiast David Johnson in Buckinghamshire. Changing hands again in the 1960s it appears to have gone into retirement for about 40 years and came into the present family ownership in 2005, following that period of tender loving neglect. Having spotted the car in an advertisement on that famous 'A Field' notice board at The Beaulieu Autojumble, the father of the present owner rescued the rather weary car from its Pulborough resting place. Having satisfied himself that it met the high standards of originality that were his criterion, he embarked on a painstaking two year restoration which included carefully checking every major aspect of the car. Invoices covering this restoration can be inspected in the car file, although much of the work was carried out 'in-house' in the motor house which OH 10117 now shared with a collection of other thoroughbred motor cars. In May 2007 the car was back on the road and MOT tested. Since that time the car has been carefully maintained but used infrequently, covering less than 1,000 miles.

Originality has been preserved in all major respects, although an enhanced oiling system, fitting of indicators and a stainless steel exhaust system are sensible (and reversible) concessions to practical use of this fine motor car. Coachwork is superbly finished in green livery and furnished with green leather upholstery, carefully restored to original pattern.The car is equipped with comprehensive weather equipment, including side-screens while attention to detail includes the leather-gaitered springs.

OH 10117 comes with an old style buff logbook from 1957, current V5C registration document, a reproduction Instruction Book, and the aforementioned restoration invoices