68 bhp, 1,991 cc inline OHV six-cylinder engine, E.N.V. four-speed pre-selector transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. Wheelbase: 120"

- Formerly in the Augie Pabst Collection

- One of only 261 cars built

- Vanden Plas design, construction by Lagonda

During the 1920s Lagonda earned a reputation for quality-built four- and six-cylinder cars of sporting character. The Speed Model of 1927 was possessed of phenomenal acceleration and was very capable in competition. In 1933, Lagonda began using Meadows engines, 4.5-liter units that proved no heavier than their own but produced 50 percent more power. This new M45 model became quite popular, as it offered the performance of a Bentley at a lower price. At about the same time, the company replaced the four-cylinder model with a comparable car and adopted a 1,991 cc six-cylinder engine from Crossley Motors, Ltd. of Manchester. Lagonda’s stringent engineering and quality control was maintained by disassembling each unit, thoroughly checking it and rebuilding it. These cars, designated 16/80, were fitted with twin S.U. carburetors. Late in 1933, the E.N.V. pre-selector transmission was made available as an option. The model remained in production through late-1934. The Lagonda club lists the total production as a mere 261 units.

This particular example was purchased from Executive Motors, a pioneer San Francisco collector car dealership, by August Pabst in 1968. “Augie” Pabst, sportsman, race car driver and heir to the Pabst Brewing Company, was born into the fourth generation of family wealth. He inherited his father’s 35-room mansion, where he still lives. In 1958, Augie started racing cars after the Pabst family lost a proxy fight and ultimately control of their family business. By 1959 he had already won the U.S. Auto Club Championship. In 1962 he narrowly escaped death in a spectacular crash at Daytona. That same year Augie owned a Holman & Moody-prepared small-block AC Cobra, CSX2009, which he raced with some success at Nassau Speed Week and other events. In 1962, he purchased (and still owns) the “Meister Brau Scarab” built by Lance Reventlow, Barbara Hutton's son and heir to Woolworth's Department Stores. Augie Pabst, while seriously considering the prospect of Indianapolis 500 racing, was approached by a man named Jim Windham. Windham talked Pabst into coming back and running his old family business, Pabst Brewing Company. This was conditional on Pabst agreeing to give up professional auto racing, which he did. It was in the early years of his return to the family beer business that Augie discovered this wonderful sports Lagonda while staying in San Francisco. Mr. Pabst was enjoying the comforts of the Huntington Hotel when he noticed it on display at the sports car dealership right down the street. He took it for a drive and instantly bought it. It was part of his personal collection until very recently.

Today this Lagonda 16/80 sports tourer remains in very good order. It was recently serviced by marque specialist, vintage racer and restorer Tivvy Shenton. It is a car with very good manners, and it seems very solid on the road, even at speeds to 80 mph. The body is attributed to Vanden Plas in design but executed by Lagonda. It is a great example of this rare model and is of very high quality. This is a wonderful vintage tourer in the same spirit and charm as the contemporaneous Jaguar SS models.