Last updated on November 26, 2025
Today’s car is a 1938 Lagonda V12 Le Mans Replica Sports Tourer, owned by Guido Rietdyk, which I photographed at the Manhattan Beach Cars & Coffee event at The Point in El Segundo, CA. The car is finished in British Racing Green with a black interior. It is powered by a 180-horsepower, 4.5-liter, naturally aspirated 60° V12 engine, featuring a single overhead camshaft (chain-driven) and an individual distributor driven from the rear of the camshaft, along with four SU downdraft carburetors. Power is transmitted through a four-speed manual transmission paired with a 4.08:1 rear axle ratio. Braking is provided by Lockheed hydraulic drum brakes at all four corners. The independent front suspension utilizes torsion bars, while the rear suspension consists of a live axle with hypoid gears and semi-elliptic leaf springs.
The Lagonda V12 was produced from 1938 to 1940, with only 189 examples manufactured. The MSRP ranged from £800 to £1,200. The published top speed was 110 mph, with a 0–60 mph time of approximately 12 seconds, depending on body style and weight.
The Lagonda V12 was built in three wheelbase lengths—short, medium, and long—and this particular car left the factory on 5 May 1938 as a medium-wheelbase chassis fitted with saloon coachwork. It was later restored and professionally converted to ‘Le Mans’ specification.
Lagonda was founded in England in 1899 by American engineer Wilbur Gunn. The name “Lagonda” derives from the Shawnee word for Buck Creek, located in Gunn’s hometown of Springfield, Ohio. Automobile production began in the early 1900s, with a focus on the luxury segment.
In 1935, lawyer Alan P. Good successfully outbid Rolls-Royce to take control of Lagonda. He soon recruited W.O. Bentley—legendary founder of Bentley Motors—as chief engineer. Bentley Motors had fallen on hard times during the Great Depression and was ultimately forced into liquidation. In a covert acquisition, the company was purchased by Rolls-Royce, its chief rival.
Everything changed after April 1935. Now free from any obligations to Rolls-Royce, Bentley and his engineering team could focus fully on the newly acquired Lagonda Motor Company. Bentley’s crowning achievement during this period was the creation of the impressive 4.5-liter V12 engine, capable of effortlessly cruising at triple-digit speeds.
In 1957, the car was purchased by Donald Overy, a well-known Lagonda Club member, rallyist, and hill climb competitor. He shortened the chassis to 9 feet 10 inches, replaced the saloon body with an open four-seat tourer, and installed the current engine, number 14112.
The next owner acquired the Lagonda from Overy in 1985. The car remained in storage for several years. In 1994, the decision was made to fit a two-seater Le Mans-style body. Following this, the chassis was stripped and refurbished to Le Mans specifications. The engine, gearbox, and running gear were rebuilt around 2005, and the car was made roadworthy by 2012. In 2014, it went on to win the Lagonda Concours for LG6 and V12 models.
The 1938 Lagonda V12 is a triumph of engineering and design. With its combination of speed, comfort, and technical sophistication, it stands as one of the finest grand tourers of the pre-war period and remains an iconic piece of automotive history.
Professionally restored and built to ‘Le Mans’ specification, this beautiful piece of pre-war automotive history is ideal for English or European car shows, Cars & Coffee events, or weekends spent competing at vintage races with like-minded friends.
Thank you for riding along.
Frank
