Lot 235: 1933 Lagonda 2-Litre Two-Seater Sports
Coachwork by Vanden Plas

Finished in green, ‘DMP 39’ was originally supplied by Lagonda Motors in May 1933 as a 16/80 model fitted with lightweight aluminium two-seater sports coachwork by Vanden Plas. It is one of only twelve VDP two-seaters commissioned by Lagonda Motors, and believed currently one of only eight surviving worldwide.
The car was first registered on the 1st June 1933 and owned by Mr Charles Forster, of Elms Cross, Bradford upon Avon, Wiltshire until the end of 1935, and subsequently belonged to Flight Lt R J Packman until 1945. ‘DMP 39’ reappeared in the early 1950s at Jack Bond’s Garage in Kensington and was purchased by Martin Whitworth who used the car for touring and honeymooning in France in 1953. Seeking alternative transport for his growing family, Mr Whitworth located a four-seater Lagonda VDP minus engine, and transferred ‘DMP 39’s original Crossley manufactured 2-litre six to that car.
In 1955/6, ‘DMP 39’ was sold to television presenter Mike Scott, who already owned a 1932 Lagonda low-chassis supercharged tourer in an advanced state of decay. Mr Scott corresponded with Captain Ivan Forshaw, the then technical adviser to the Lagonda Club, with the result that the 2-litre supercharged engine (minus supercharger) was fitted to ‘DMP 39’ and the original supercharger manifold modified to take a single carburettor, which is included with the car. Presently running on bronze-bodied twin SU carburettors (correct for the period), this unit provides the benefit of a counterbalanced crankshaft, while there is considerable potential for further tuning.
Subsequently ‘DMP 39’ was purchased by Ray Booty, a champion racing cyclist who ran the car until the late 1960s when it was laid up for some 30 years with a view to future restoration. However, due to his advancing years Mr Booty sold the car, which was in extremely original and restorable condition, in 2003, after which the next owner commenced a chassis upwards restoration. ‘DMP 39’ was purchased in 2004 by the current owner, a well-known Aston Martin and Lagonda enthusiast. The restoration, together with engine tuning, was completed by renowned pre-war Aston Martin specialist Ecurie Bertelli, and another leading UK Lagonda specialist.
Completed in 2004 at a cost in excess of £30,000, the restoration included overhauling the engine top-end (new pistons, valves, springs, etc) and rebuilding the shock absorbers. New parts fitted include the aforementioned SU carburettors; stainless-steel exhaust system; brake cables and shoes; radiator core; and kingpins and bushes. The car has been completely rewired using a new fabric covered wiring loom; the original instruments and switches rebuilt; the magneto and dynamo overhauled and new SU fuel pumps fitted.
On the coachwork side: the body was stripped to bare metal and has been repainted in British Racing Green; the headlamps and radiator shell re-chromed; correct period rear lights fitted; and the wheels rebuilt, repainted and shod with new Dunlop tyres. The interior has undergone a similarly thorough refurbishment: the dashboard being restored, seats and trim re-upholstered in green Connolly hide and matching carpets installed. The original hood has been retained, while the tonneau cover and hood bag are new.
The end result is a very useable - and rare - post-vintage thoroughbred with considerable potential for further upgrading should a future owner so desire. Tuning parts for the Lagonda 2-litre four are now available from specialists in the UK and Europe, including down-draught cylinder heads and re-profiled camshafts offering substantial increases in the power output of this proven engine.
A most attractive sporting motor car – clothed in bespoke coachwork - from one of Britain’s major pre-war manufacturers, ‘DMP 39’ has successfully completed a number of European rallies over the course of the past two years, proving very reliable. With both lightweight body and the more desirable and powerful 2-litre DOHC engine the car performs very well. The car is offered with a file of correspondence and period photographs dating back to the early 1950s, restoration bills and accounts, old-style logbook, MoT to August 2008 and Swansea V5 registration document.