A 1936 Lagonda LG45 ‘Razor Edge’ Saloon first seen at the Olympia Motor Show 81 years ago is to go under the hammer at the same venue this Saturday 18th February after travelling around the globe.
International auctioneers Coys are selling the car at their 70-car auction at The Olympia Historic Automobile Fair & Auction, a new ultra-luxury and lifestyle event at the famous motoring venue, which hosted the London Motor Show for more than 30 years in the early 1900s.
The Lagonda has had a fascinating life and is now returning to Olympia 81 years after its debut at the Olympia Motor Show in 1936. The car was ordered in 1936 by London agents Kevill Davies & March of Berkeley Square and delivered to Freestone & Webb on September 2nd. Freestone & Webb then fitted it with the then popular Razor Edge body and featured it at their stand at the Show in October that year. The car had an interesting life from then on; it was purchased by a private owner and shipped to New York in 1937, then sold and shipped shortly after the Second World War to a Shanghai based businessman, Mr. Sia.
By 1949 the political seas were turning and China was rapidly becoming a communist state; as a businessman Sia was branded a capitalist and class enemy. The Lagonda was seized and placed into storage until a Mr. Eric Barret bought it via the Hafong Motor Company for 25,350 Yen. Mr. Barret travelled extensively, living in Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, New Zealand and Australia, before finally returning to the UK in 1985. Each time the Lagonda faithfully followed its owner by boat, until returning home to the UK after a 40-year voyage.
The car is supplied with a complete, well documented file and featured in Bernd Holthusen’s ‘Lagonda Book,’ It is estimated between £90,000 and £100,000.
Chris Routledge, CEO of COYS, said: “Coys was founded in Queens Gate Mews in South Kensington in 1919 and it is with great emotion that we return to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the town of our birth, for this auction with a sensational collection of fine historic automobiles. The 1936 Lagonda was a favourite among the wealthy sporting motorists of its days and is also back to its roots 81 years after its debut at the Olympia Motor Show.”
70 cars will be auctioned, including a 1954 Jaguar XK120 Roadster (£90,000 - £110,000), a 1955 MG TF 1500 (£22,000 - £28,000), 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III by Park Ward formerly from the Collection of Sir James Cayzer (£115,000 - £125,000), a 1962 Bentley S2 Continental Coupe (£220,000 - £250,000), a 1951 Bentley Mark VI - Syd Lawrence “SL01” Special (£90,000 - £110,000) and one of only two surviving 1957 BMW 503 Coupe (£120,000 - £140,000).
The auction also features a selection of Ferraris, including a 1968 Ferrari 330GTC Berlinetta (£450,000 - £500,000), a 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT with only 35,000 miles on the clock (£280,000 - £300,000), a 1978 Ferrari 308 GTB once owned by the founding editor of Car magazine Doug Blain (£65,000 - £75,000) and a 1964 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 Series 1 (£200,000 - £240,000).
A 2013 Vauxhall Astra driven in the BBC Top Gear’s “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” in the last season of the Clarkson-Hammond-May era will be auctioned to raise funds for BEN, the Automotive Industry Charity. In this segment, presenter Jeremy Clarkson interviewed a celebrity and then showed a clip of their attempt to drive round the Top Gear track. Their times were then put onto a leader board. The Astra has covered less than 3,000 miles from new at the hands of over 20 famous actors, singers and comedians, including AC/DC’s Brian Johnson, Hugh Jackman, Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Benedict Cumberbatch and comedian Jimmy Carr, amongst others (see full leader board and lap times here). The car will be sold at No Reserve to the highest bidder.
Other important cars going under the hammer include a rare right hand drive 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (£100,000-£120,000), a 1963 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 3.8 Fixed Head Coupe (£90,000 - £110,000), a 1967 Mercedes 250SL (£30,000 - £40,000), a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 230 Saloon – Genuine rare RHD (£130,000-£160,000), a 1974 Jensen Interceptor Convertible – 26,000 miles from new (£40,000- £50,000) and a 1955 Jaguar XK140 Fixed Head Coupe (no reserve)
Alongside the auction, the Fair will be packed with inspiring features, providing visitors with a wealth of information and guidance on the world of historic automobiles. From concours restoration to provenance, whether you’re thinking of buying with the aim to enter the exciting world of classic racing, or interested to know how to maximise your investment, heed advice from those in the know within workshops from industry experts and specialists.
In addition, guests can enjoy exquisite watch displays, discover unique travel experiences and indulge in fine food and drink within the Champagne Lounge, the Whisky Masterclass and the Exceptional Culinary Experience.'
