‘These cars blended a prewar sense of poise while facing post-war challenges’
offered in left-hand drive would infer a lack of perceived sales appeal in the USA. On the strength of brief acquaintanceship with this mighty car I would argue that this was a missed opportunity. An imported Lagonda would have been monumentally pricey but would have had a social cachet for a corporate lawyer above and beyond a Mercedes-benz 300 ‘Adenauer’ or a Jaguar MKVIII. Of course, many a British enthusiast of the marque would proudly contend that this is always the case with the Lagonda.
All too soon it’s time to take my leave from two ultra-exclusive motor cars. Lagonda sold just 295 examples of the 3-Litre while just 33 examples of the 3.5-litre Regency Sportsman left Coventry. Their detailing, from the Daimler’s ornate fascia to the Lagonda’s adjustable door armrest, is nothing short of exquisite and should your gentleman’s express suffer the indignity of a puncture there is the useful fitting of integral hydraulic jacks. The Lagonda 3-Litre ceased production in 1957, the Daimler in 1956 and as a sign of the changing times, the latter marque was acquired by Jaguar in 1960.
The heyday of our brace of cars was that of Fifties Britain prior to the Suez Crisis, a world of order and predictability. They may date from the same period as the first Citroën DS but they occupy a wholly different universe and their appearance makes it almost impossible to believe the Mini was fewer than ëve years in the future. By that time motorists would have to wait a further two years for the next Lagonda while Daimler was on the verge of being acquired by Browns Lane.
The term ‘quality car’ has been much misused over the years and so I prefer to reserve it for those few vehicles of real integrity such as the Lagonda and the Daimler. The Fifties was a challenging time for the manufacturers of coachbuilt cars and these two seamlessly blend a pre-war sense of poise while facing the new post-war challenges with verve and aplomb.
So, which of these machines would occupy a place in my fantasy motor house assuming that either of them would be happy with a new owner of a decidedly East Cheam-style background? The answer is simple – I will take both; the Lagonda for the City and the Daimler for high days and holidays. Dreaming of owning such cars does encourage one to raise one’s standards. Thanks to: Windrushers Gliding Club (windrushers.org.uk); The Daimler & Lanchester Owners’ Club (dloc.org.uk); The Lagonda Club - (lagondaclub.com); The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust - (bit.ly/2sqneox), Derek Sleigh (ds-ds.co.uk)