Aston’s way-out limo
Designed by William Towns, the Lagonda combined striking styling with opulent leather interior and state-of-the-art instrumentation
The Lagonda was launched in 1974 as a striking flagship for Aston. Its angular, almost squat appearance was a sensation and produced a wave of reaction.
It was one of those cars that you either loved or hated because of its astonishing shape.
It looked nothing like the Aston Martin sports car models and netted a vast amount of publicity.
Sadly the publicity machine began to turn against the Lagonda which fell into the trap of using too much advanced electronics too soon.
Some of the cars went badly wrong, a situation that was not at all well received with a car that cost around £70,000.
But the Lagonda rode the blows and soon overcame the teething t roubles, especially glitches with digital instrumentation.
When the problems were sorted out, the Lagonda found its place with that rare band of buyers who want the best and want it to look stunning.
It became one of the top exclusive saloons and became the delight of rich Arab drivers and Americans.
One example was turned into a stunning lifestyle high-speed estate which won a lot of praise at the time.
Under Ford ownership, Aston has not looked back for some years and everything they do turns to gold. I wonder just how many of the original 70s Lagondas are still on the road? I never drove one but did take a ride as a passenger and the acceleration was out of this world.
Its styling dated this car very quickly and it does look very out of place these days. But it was a great tour de force of what a prestige manufacturer could do at the dawn of modern technology.