Aston Martin Lagonda

The Aston Martin Lagonda is a full-size luxury four-door saloon manufactured by British manufacturer Aston Martin between 1974 and 1990. A total of 645 were produced. The name was derived from the Lagonda marque that Aston Martin had purchased in 1947. There are two distinct generations: the original, short-lived 1974 design based on a lengthened Aston Martin V8, and the entirely redesigned, wedge-shaped Series 2 model introduced in 1976.

In 2014, Aston Martin confirmed it would launch a new Lagonda model called the Taraf for the Middle-East market, sold on an invitation-only basis as a successor to this saloon.[1] As of 2022, 113 remain registered in the United Kingdom, though 82 are SORN (unregistered for routine road use).[2]

History

Aston Martin was facing financial pressure in the mid-1970s and needed something to bring in some much-needed funds.

Models

A number of iterations of the Lagonda were produced: the original Series 1 and the wedge-shaped Series 2, 3, and 4. A total of 645 cars were produced in its 12-year production run.

Series 1 (1974–1975)

This long-wheelbase, four-door version of the Aston Martin V8 was announced at the 1974 London Motor Show. Designed by William Towns and based on the DBS, it was the first car to wear the Lagonda name since the 1961 Rapide.[11] The 5.3 L V8 engine was supplied with either a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.[12] Only seven were sold.[13]

Specifications (Series 1)

At least two of the cars (having chassis numbers 12003[13] and 12005[15]) have been upgraded by R.S. Williams Ltd of Cobham to a 7.0-litre version of the original engine, able to generate a power output ranging from 440 to 480 hp[13] on unleaded fuel.

Engine and power output: 5.3-L 5340 cc DOHC V8, 320 hp, 350 lbft of torque (estimated)[14]
Top speed: 149 mi/h
0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 6.2 seconds
Length: 4928 mm
Wheelbase: 2910 mm
Width: 1829 mm
Height: 1323 mm
Weight: 2000 kg

Specifications (Series 1)

Engine and power output: 5.3-L 5340 cc DOHC V8, 320 hp, 350 lbft of torque (estimated)[14]
Top speed: 149 mi/h
0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 6.2 seconds
Length: 4928 mm
Wheelbase: 2910 mm
Width: 1829 mm

Series 2 (1976–1985)

The wedge-shaped Lagonda V8 saloon was launched in 1976 at the London Motor Show and was a total contrast to the 1974 model, sharing little but the engine.[16] Deliveries of the Lagonda did not commence until 1979. Series 2 cars were originally fitted with digital LCD dashboards and touch button controls but these features were abandoned in 1980. The Lagonda retailed at £49,933 in 1980, significantly more than a Ferrari 400 or Maserati Kyalami but less than a Rolls-Royce Corniche.[17] The car commenced sales in the US from 1982 with minor regulatory amendments to the front bumper and airdam.[18]

Specification (Series 2)

Engine and power output: 5.3 L 5340 cc DOHC V8, 280 hp at 5,000 rpm, 360 lbft of torque at 3,000 rpm[19]
Top speed: 148 mi/h[19]
0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 7.9 seconds[19] (Official time)
0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 8.9 seconds[20] (Road & Track 1982 test)
0–161 km/h (0–100 mph): 24.8 seconds[21] (Road & Track

Series 3 (1986–1987)

The Series 3 was produced for only one year with 75 units manufactured. All had fuel injected engines. Cathode-ray tube instrumentation was later changed to a vacuum fluorescent display system and shared exterior styling with the Series 2.

Series 4 (1987–1990)

The Series 4 was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1987, having been extensively restyled by the car's original designer William Towns. Sharp edges were rounded off and the pop-up headlights were replaced with three headlights on each side of the grille. The side swage line (or character line) was removed and 16-inch wheels were introduced. With production of around one car per week, 105 cars were manufactured through January 1990.[22] 72 of the Series 4 cars were built with left-hand drive.

Special variants

Aftermarket variations of the Lagonda included:

Tickford Lagonda (1983) – Five Series 2 Lagondas were sold with a bodykit and upgraded interiors.[23]
Tickford limousine (1984) – Four long-wheelbase Lagondas were made, at a cost of £110,000 each. On these cars, the rear door window glass was split vertically in half.
Rapide (a two-door, short-wheelbase version)[24] – one made with the front triple headlight design of the Series 4.
Shooting-brake (Estate) by Swiss company Roos Engineering – one made in 1998 using a 1987 model.[25][26]

manufacturer	Aston Martin
designer	William Towns
production	1974–1990 645 produced
assembly	United Kingdom: Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England
predecessor	Lagonda Rapide
successor	Lagonda Taraf
class	Full-size luxury car (F)
body style	4-door saloon
layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
engine	5340 cc V8
transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed Torqueflite automatic
wheelbase	2916 mm
length	5282 mm
width	1816 mm
height	1302 mm

Aston Martin Lagonda

History

Models

Series 1 (1974–1975)

Specifications (Series 1)

Specifications (Series 1)

Series 2 (1976–1985)

Specification (Series 2)

Specification (Series 2)

Series 3 (1986–1987)

Series 4 (1987–1990)

Special variants

External links

References