1952 Lagonda 2.6 DHC Convertible

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £25,000, then £1,312.50 is added, making the total amount payable of £26,312.50.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

We have seen online evidence that this car was auctioned in the UK in 2012, at which time it was described as having been with its then most recent owner for 19 years. It was stated at the time that the car came with, “a large history file containing its original buff log book, UK V5 registration papers and various bills and receipts”.

It currently has no history or paperwork with it and, as we haven’t been able to start or drive it, we can only attest to its cosmetic condition.

It will need recommissioning.

The car was last MoT’d in June 2012, at which time it had covered 41,252 miles. Today, nearly a decade later, the car has added a mere 120 miles to that total, having spent the intervening years on static display in the vendor’s collection.

The car appears to be in very good overall condion and presents handsomely in its two-tone cream and brown livery.

In general, the paintwork has held up well and has a good level of shine and lustre to it.

The coachbuilt body remains a testament to the skill of the people who built it. The shut lines are consistent and even. The panels are free of any dinks, dents, bumps or knocks to speak of.

The hood goes up and down with a minimum of fuss in a gracefully choreographed dance of wood, fabric, alloy and chrome. It is in very good condition, both functionally and aesthetically.

Overall, the chrome work is pretty good but there are places, particularly on the rear bumper, where it is pockmarked, tarnished and flaking.

The two-tone wheels look fine and appear to be untroubled by either time or use.

There is a significant scratch on the n/s/r wheel arch and a patch of missing paint to the rear of its o/s/r counterpart.

There are numerous small stone chips and bits of missing paint in various places on the car, most notably around the leading edge of the o/s/r wheelarch where the unpainted alloy section meets the bodywork.

The car’s generally good condition is equally well represented on the inside, where the (presumably restored) upholstery is comfortable, supportive and devoid of rips, holes, creases or other signs of wear and tear.

The door cards are equally good, as is the inside of the folding roof.

The steering wheel and column shift are delightfully of their time and are in decent orignal condition.

The wood veneers on the dashboard, door cappings and windscreen surround are richly patinated and very well preserved.

Some of the rubber trim at the base of the windscreen has worked loose.

The carpets are a little threadbare in places and have an appearance that suggests they may have suffered the unwelcome attentions of a moth or two at some point.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t been able to start the vehicle.

The boot is in decent condition.

Lifting up the carpets here or elsewhere on this car reveals a superficial bloom of rust dust here and there, but nothing to raise alarms as far as we can see.

In general, the undersides seem to be well preserved, and the overall impression is one of structural solidity and integrity.

The only rust visible is of the dusty, superficial variety as far as we can tell.

The engine bay and engine are clean and dry and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The car doesn’t come with a service history or any record of work done.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

In the words of Classic & Sports Car Magazine, “The discerning customer’s post-war saloon and drophead coupé of choice, the Lagonda has class, performance, heritage, style and many innovative features, without being in the least bit brash.

When well restored, it’s a capable and relaxed touring car that is a delight to own and drive.”

We haven’t been able to start or drive the car so we can only guess at how closely this example would match that description when out turning heads on the open road.

That said, from our observations, we can say that this appears to be a solid, sound, low mileage example of a very rare 2.6-litre Lagonda DHC and one that at some point in its life has been diligently restored to the very good condition in which we now find it.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £25,000 - £35,000, plus 5% Bonhams bond payment & NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.