1,991 cc OHV inline six-cylinder engine, twin SU carburettors, four-speed manual gearbox, semi-elliptic leaf spring and beam axle front suspension, semi-elliptic leaf spring and live axle rear suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes.

• Fantastic Sports Special body

• Original engine mated to four-speed gearbox

Although best known today for its post-WWII ownership under Sir David Brown, Lagonda remains one of the greatest British marques on the strength of its earlier history alone. Despite early success, sporting models were ignored until 1925, when the 14/60 debuted, designed by former Lea-Francis engineer Arthur Davidson and featuring a highly advanced twin-cam 2.0-litre ‘four’ with hemispherical combustion chambers.

Progress was quick, though, with the up-rated Speed model following in 1927 and a supercharged version in 1930. The long-wheelbase 16/65 variant featured a 2.4-litre ‘six’ between 1926 and 1930. A 3.0-litre, six-cylinder model debuted late in the 1920s and evolved to 3.2-litre spec by 1933. With a complex Maybach eight-speed gearbox, it was known as the “Selector Special.” The 16/80 debuted for 1932, with a Crossley-supplied 2.0-litre OHV engine, which Lagonda disassembled, rebuilt and up-rated with a twin-SU carburettor induction system. Only 261 were produced.

This boattail-bodied roadster is based on 16/80 chassis number 10201 and retains its original Crossley engine. The car was exported from the UK to New Zealand in 1948 and remained there until 1999, when it returned to England and was rebuilt as an open special. In 2001, it was acquired by the current German owner and joined his private collection. With its powerful, twin-carb inline ‘six,’ four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel drum brakes and 18-inch Michelin tyres, the 16/80 was recently praised by its current owner for its very good driving dynamics, and he states that it has been exercised regularly. The car exhibits a lovely patina and a sporting look, enhanced by the raking windscreens. With its sprightly six-cylinder motor, this is an excellent Lagonda to be driven with gusto, particularly at modern speeds with its four-speed gearbox.