Original factory T7 coachwork
Registration No: BGF 670
Chassis No: Z11038
MOT: Exempt
Independently valued at at £120,000
Supplied new by Warwick Wright Ltd to A.H. Mann Esq of the tobacco firm John Player & Sons
Well documented ownership chain and in the current family since 1991
Pleasingly retains much of its original leather upholstery and other fittings and fixtures
Assessed by renowned marque specialist Peter Whenman of Vintage Coachworks in 1991 who concluded: 'This is a very nice, original car not over-restored, in need of some care and attention and probably one of the best available at the moment'
Last MOT certificate expired in 2010. Running and driving but in need of recommissioning
Among the most desirable and sporting Lagondas ever made
Issued with the London registration number ‘BGF 670’ on 17th August 1934, chassis Z11038 was supplied new by Warwick Wright Ltd of Mayfair to A.H. Mann Esq who reportedly kept it until his death thirty years later. A director of the tobacco firm John Player & Sons (which famously sponsored the Lotus Formula 1 Team from 1968-1986), Mr Mann initially had the Lagonda serviced by Flewitts Garage of Nottingham before subsequently entrusting it to the JPS Motor Pool for maintenance. Acquired by Dennis Roberts Esq of Cold Springs, nr Buxton on 3rd June 1964, the M45 then passed through the hands of Margaret Jane James of Diss, Norfolk, Donald Archbell Esq. (a director of Star Sportswear), Ian Ross Esq. (a director of Manor Bakeries Ltd), Richard Pettit Esq. of the Stratford Motor Museum and Peter Walker Esq before entering the current family ownership on 4th December 1991.
Treated to an extensive mechanical overhaul by John Ambler of Bingley, Yorkshire (a WO Bentley specialist) in the mid 1970s, ‘BGF 670’ made four pilgrimages to the Le Mans 24-hours during Mr Ross’s tenure (1984-1989) even appearing in a CBS Television programme about the race. Commissioned by the vendor's family to carry out a pre-purchase inspection, Peter Whenman of Vintage Coachworks completed his detailed report on 28th November 1991. Widely regarded as the preeminent Lagonda specialist at the time, Mr Whenman concluded: ‘This is a very nice original car not over-restored, in need of some care and attention and probably one of the best available at the moment’. Dry stored for the last decade, old MOT certificates on file suggest that the M45 has covered a mere 2,000 or so miles over the past twenty-nine years. Currently running and driving, the four-seater T7 Tourer would benefit from thorough servicing and recommissioning prior to road use. Though, that did not stop ‘BGF 670’ impressing our team with its grunt during a recent airfield photography session. Pleasingly retaining what Mr Whenman believed to be its original leather upholstery, the Lagonda also boasts the correct scraped cross hatch finish to its rocker box cover, twin Vokes triple gauze air filters and a host of other authentic under bonnet details.
A highly desirable Post Vintage Thoroughbred with a well-documented ownership chain and charm to spare, this delightful M45 is worthy of close inspection. Offered for sale with green logbook, handwritten provenance and history file.
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