1976 Aston Martin Lagonda Series 1 7.0-Litre Saloon
Registration no. not UK registered
Chassis no. L/12007/RCAC
Engine no. V/540/2007

The Lagonda brand had been moribund for a decade when Aston Martin revived it in 1974 as the model name for a sensational new four-door saloon based on the existing two-door V8. A prototype ('MP/230/1') had been used by David Brown in 1969 but the project would not come to fruition until after his departure and Aston Martin's acquisition by Company Developments. Launched at the London Motor Show in October 1974, the new Lagonda was 305mm (12") longer in the wheelbase than the two-door V8 whose engine and running gear it shared and to which it bore an understandably strong resemblance. Priced at £14,040, including Purchase Tax, at the time of its launch, the Lagonda cost 24% more than the contemporary V8 and thus was one very expensive motor car. Unfortunately, the ongoing Middle East 'oil crisis' and other economic woes meant that the market for a 160-mph luxury saloon had declined sharply.

An exclusive model even by Aston Martin standards, the Lagonda was catalogued until June 1976, by which time only seven had been made. Chassis numbers ranged from '12001' to '12007', while a further example - '12008' - was sanctioned later. Of the seven cars built in period, five were completed with automatic transmission and only two with the ZF five-speed manual gearbox, '12007', the car offered here, being one of them.

In the early 2000s, '12007' was extensively re-engineered and enhanced by respected marque specialists R S Williams Ltd, and post-completion was featured in Octane magazine (Issue 7, 2004). The project took two people a year to complete, consuming 4,000 hours at an estimated cost of £100,000. Suitably and sympathetically modified for everyday use, the Lagonda incorporates the electronic communications systems required by the business user of the day; nevertheless, retaining originality was always an intention and all the modifications are reversible.

Already a powerful car, the Lagonda was endowed with even greater urge courtesy of R S Williams' 7-litre conversion. The conversion places particular emphasis on torque, producing a substantial 550lb/ft and 480bhp against the estimated 350lb/ft and 320bhp of the 5.3-litre original, increases that more than offset the weight gain associated with the Lagonda's extra equipment. This in turn necessitated up-rating the Chrysler Torqueflite automatic transmission, which has replaced the original ZF manual 'box.

The current vendor purchased the Lagonda at Bonhams' sale at Aston Martin Works Service in May 2008 (Lot 320). Kept in storage since then, the car will require re-commissioning before further use. Offered with copies of its Car Record Card and Middle Eastern registration document, '12007' represents an exciting opportunity to acquire an extensively upgraded example of one of the rarest and most exclusive of post-war Aston Martin products.

Please note that if this vehicle is to remain in the UK, it will be subject to Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price to clear customs. The administration for clearing customs is called a NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) and costs £350 (plus VAT). Both the Import VAT and NOVA charge will be added to the buyer's invoice. Please note that this fee does not include registering the vehicle in the UK. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released once customs is cleared. If you have any questions regarding customs, please contact the Motorcar Department.

Please note that this vehicle is only offered with a photocopy of its old registration document, bidders should satisfy themselves as to registration requirements in their own jurisdiction. Please contact the department for further information.