Coming up for public auction during the H&H Classics sale on April 20, 2016, at Imperial War Museums Duxford, in Cambridgeshire, UK, will be the car that won Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. its first Royal Warrant, the magnificent 1954 Lagonda 3 Litre Drophead Coupe that was built to the special order of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Finished in a bespoke shade of Edinburgh Green matched to grey leather upholstery, the luxurious four-seat convertible was one of just 20 MK1 cars made, and was used by The Duke for his personal transport until 1961.
“This car is part of our history,” commented Damian Jones, H&H Sales Manager. “The accompanying paperwork beggars belief. There is an amusing story about Prince Phillip driving Her Majesty through London in this car and being held up by a policeman on point duty directing traffic. When the policeman saw who was in the Lagonda he did a double take and swiftly waved them on.”
A spirited driver who held the unofficial record for the 98-mile run between Bath and London while still a Naval Officer, The Duke of Edinburgh was not averse to “making up time” aboard the Lagonda if late for an official engagement. This is also the car with which he and The Queen opened the M1 motorway.
As well as such non-standard extras as a power hood and floor-change gearbox (both subsequently adopted for later production examples), the car featured an extra vanity mirror — reputedly for HM The Queen to adjust her hat — and a radio telephone, which necessitated The Duke being allocated his own radio frequency by The Admiralty. A switch on the dashboard and aerial are all that remain of the radio telephone system, but The Queen’s additional vanity mirror remains intact, as does most of the original leather upholstery. In addition to a 1990 bodywork restoration and repaint in its correct shade of Edinburgh Green, the Lagonda was treated to a thorough engine overhaul, back axle refurbishment and the fitment of overdrive some ten years ago. The car enjoyed frequent service by Aston Martin technicians during Prince Phillip’s seven-year ownership.
Part of a significant private collection for nigh on four decades, this singularly historic 3 Litre Drophead Coupe has some 50,000 original miles, has recently been serviced and is said to be “on the button.” Offered for sale with copy factory build sheet and service records citing HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh as its purchaser, plus a wealth of fascinating documentation, its value is estimated at £350,000-£450,000. For further information, please visit www.classic-auctions.com
