1933 Lagonda 4½-Litre M45 T7 Tourer

Registration No. AUW 973

Chassis No. Z10555

"Lagonda cars have always upheld a reputation for effortless fast touring and the pride of ownership which fine detail work and distinguished coachbuilding can give. The 4½-Litre model retains these characteristics, but scores considerably over its forebears by its high power-to-weight ratio. The chassis is no bigger than the three litre car, and there is no suggestion of clumsiness, heavy steering or the other drawbacks which often accompany the large engined car." - Motor Sport, January 1934.

Having driven this car, we can only echo the sentiments expressed by the Motor Sport road tester. This M45 covers the miles effortlessly, with its light, accurate steering, quick and easy gearchange and powerful servo assisted brakes. As one looks out over the long bonnet the feeling of strong, powerful and effortless British engineering quality is quite inspiring.

The 4½-Litre Lagonda was one of the most accomplished sports cars of the 1930s, as a succession of high-profile race wins, culminating in victory at Le Mans in 1935, amply demonstrates. Introduced at the 1933 Olympia Show and based on the preceding ZM 3-Litre model, the M45 deployed Meadows' 4½-litre, twin-plug six to good effect, with saloons being capable of reaching 90mph and tourers 'the ton'.

As confirmed by the car’s copy build sheet on file ‘AUW’ was fitted from new with Lagonda’s in house T7 Tourer coachwork (traditionally the most sought after). First registered in November 1933 with London County Council, Lagonda Club Records tell us that the first owner was one J Thistlethwaite, who purchased the car from London Lagonda agents Warwick Wright. In 1938 the car is recorded as being owned by Manchester City Police and in post-war years was the property of one Jack Meredith Gingell. In the 1960’s it was owned by Veteran Car Club stalwart Roy Brown, before acquisition in 1968 via renowned dealer Dan Margulies for the famed Max Lips Collection in Holland- see correspondence on file.

‘AUW’ remained on display in the Lips collection for the next 35 years (see images on file), well stored but little used until the collection was sold at auction in 2004. At this point the car was described as “exceptionally original in all major respects”.

‘AUW’ was bought at auction by restorer Bob Thredder, who was able to re-unite the car with its original UK registration number and commenced a sensitive re-commissioning of the car, prior to selling it to the current deceased owner in 2006.

A great enthusiast for sports cars of the highest quality- ‘AUW’ shared a garage with a Jaguar XK150S and a BMW 3.0CSL. The late owner’s father had owned an almost identical T7 bodied M45 and after searching for his father’s car for many years without success he settled on ‘AUW’ as an exceptionally correct near identical example.

During his ownership a gradual programme of significant improvements to all aspects of the car was undertaken with work and parts fitted including modern clutch conversion, engine rebuild including a new cylinder block, new connecting rods, multi branch exhaust manifold, high compression pistons, rear axle rebuild, rebuilding the correct original Andre Telecontrol shock absorbers, work to the body and wings, fabrication of new fuel tank, new 19 inch road wheels and a great deal more besides. The majority of this work was carried out by Brian Taylor Restorations, D. Moroney Ltd and LMB.

At the same time a 1930s Alvis gearbox was fitted to the car, this is an improvement frequently carried out on these cars which gives an all synchromesh gearbox, making the car easier to drive (correct Meadows gearbox removed from car offered with it), this was combined with converting the car to having a conventional right hand throttle pedal rather than the usual centre throttle, again designed to make the car easier to drive.

On completion of this work ‘AUW’ was used on several continental tours and more local trips, sadly more recently this was curtailed by the late owner’s ill health.

‘AUW’ offers a new owner the chance to have one of the fastest and most coveted of pre–War British sportscars - the Lagonda M45, with the most sought after T7 coachwork, ideally suited to pre-War rallying or more relaxed Continental Touring.