Lot details

Year: 1987
Make: Aston Martin
Model: Lagonda Series III
Registration: D110 TAK
Chassis No: SCFDLO1S7HTL13518
Odometer: 15,558

• Full one year MoT test certificate
• Four brand new tyres
• Fresh from a private collection

There could scarcely be a more prestigious union of car names than Aston Martin and Lagonda. The former was founded in 1913 and became famous for its fast, nimble sports cars whilst the latter established itself in 1904 and built a reputation for powerful touring cars to rival Bentley and Sunbeam. It was David Brown, in fact, that turned Aston Martin's focus to luxury grand tourers although after the low-volume Lagonda Rapide of 1961, it was not seen again until 1974 when a long-wheelbase, four-door version of the Aston Martin V8 was produced under the Aston Martin Lagonda nomenclature.

Only seven were made before a new Lagonda appeared, famously styled by William Towns and known for his idiosyncratic 'wedge-shape' design and catapulting it to the fore of the most high-profile product from the Towns' canon. Critics either loved or hated the looks but one thing was certain, there was nothing else like it.

The Lagonda created a wave of publicity for the company and the order book filled rapidly, particularly from the middle eastern market. Under the vast bonnet lay Aston Martin's 5,340cc, DOHC V8 with the price a whopping £49,933 in 1979 with features including cathode-ray instrumentation and sensitive fingertip, touch-controls. Later models reverted to more standard switchgear which propelled the car up to 143mph in consummate luxury.

It was updated again in 1987 when it was rounded off the edges giving it a fresh new look. Enhancements also included a re-designed nose where six smaller lights replace the pop-up headlamps and new 16” alloy wheels with a total of 645 cars built before the end of production in 1989.

This early example of the Series III model, prior to the headlight re-design, formed part of a private collection for 15 years where it was kept secure in an underground storage facility in Kuwait City. It was then re-imported back to England and the owner's UK base.

The condition of the body is generally good although it would be fair to say that some TLC would not go amiss. It's really only occasional chips on bumper corners that tell the tale of it use over the years. The front lighting system is a complicated process and I'm pleased to report that it all the lights come up and work apart from the front fog lights.

It benefits from for brand new tyres all round, Roadian HTX Nexen, high quality luxury highway items, 235/70 R15 as well as new windscreen wipers, fairly large as you can imagine. The boot area is in good order and contains a warning triangle, strapped in, as well as a safety cut-out, mobile digital map/navigation system, ten-cd changer unit as well as the spare wheel of course. The engine bay is tidy with upgraded competition air-intake filters and a recent light fluid surface which includes new spark plugs and oil, no mean feat on Aston Martin's 5.3 litre, V8.

The interior is sumptuous with the early LED digital display and touch-switchgear. The swathes of magnolia leather benefits from some Connolly treatment in recent years with Aston Martin floor mats to the fore. The rear seating area benefits from a sunroof with additional double blinds and numerous added passenger lights and air-vents.

The driver seating position is more like the captain's chair aboard the USS Enterprise with a central television screen showing CD, radio, & satellite navigation controls (untested). These can be manually operated on the central dashboard system or there is a remote controller situated on the transmission tunnel.

With a new MoT test certificate, passed in May, a UK registration certificate and a clear HPI that accompanies this car, these are collector's items for those with a particular and precise interest. They feature a significant part of automotive history and one that is certainly worth celebrating. After all, most classic cars are special but nothing will turn heads so readily like an Aston Martin Lagonda. Consigned by Edward Bridger-Stille