Founded in 1899 by American, Wilbur Gunn, Lagonda built its first production cars in 1906 from its small factory in Staines. The British company established itself in 1920s & 30s as a rival to other luxury/sports car producers such as Bentley, Invicta and Railton. Ironically Bentley founder W.O. Bentley went on to design engines for Lagonda following the take-over of his own company by Rolls-Royce.

In 1947 Lagonda was purchased by Yorkshire industrialist and Aston Martin owner David Brown. Legend has it that Sir David brought the company based on the strength of the W.O. designed engines, which would power a new generation of new Aston Martins as well as the revised Lagonda range.

Post-DB Lagonda included the elegant Rapide model of the 60's and the controversial "wedge-shaped" AM V8 Lagonda of the 70/80's. Ford acquired Aston Martin Lagonda in 1987 and by 1990 the company had ceased production of the last AM Lagonda after a troubled run. Since then AML has produced the odd coachbuilt special and two example of its "Vignale" concept car in 1994.