1988 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series III                        ...

Hammer

£40,500

1988 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series III                          
Registration Number: E879HFG
Chassis Number: SCFDL01SXHTR13529
Engine Number: V/5853529
Recorded Mileage: c.69,000 miles

- Specified with later Series IV interior
- Subject of documented restoration 

The revival of the Lagonda brand was expressed first in 1974 as a long-wheelbase, four-door version of the Aston Martin V8, and latterly as a striking four-door executive express. Introduced in 1976 at the London Motor Show, the striking new model caused jaws to drop at launch. Its cutting edge “folded-paper” design, penned by William Towns, was mated to the same long-wheelbase V8 chassis as its immediate predecessor. Teething problems with the space-age electronic instrumentation delayed production to April of 1978, eventually to be replaced by a slightly less radical design. The coachwork was futuristic and the interior luxurious, featuring Connolly hides, deep Wilton carpeting and plentiful walnut veneer, all hand-finished by skilled craftsmen in the best Aston Martin tradition. A hugely expensive model, the Lagonda was face-lifted in 1987, acquiring a slightly softer, less hard-edged look, and continued in production until May 1990, by which time a total of 645 had been built. It has to be said, very few cars can match the visual presence of the Aston Martin Lagonda.

First registered 'E620 KYH' in May 1988, this later Series III model was specified in Chichester Blue with blue-piped Parchment leather upholstery and blue carpets edged in dark blue. The Lagonda was first registered to Smurfit Ltd. of Windsor, later passing to a Mr. John Billing of Allied Stirling PLC, Eaton Square. In 1992 coachbuilder and trimmers Hooper & Co refurbished the interior, presumably at this point updating it to Series IV specification. The Lagonda formed part of a large collection of Aston Martin and Lagonda motor cars for a number of years, before being offered for sale again in 2012 at the annual Bonhams Newport Pagnell sale of the time. 

More recently the Lagonda has been treated to a restoration with specialist David Marks Garages, supported by a full photographic record and DVD. Offered from a small collection of gentleman’s GTs, and complete with its original service book, wallet, handbook, and file of invoices, this uber-cool spaceship of a car really does merit closer attention.