Lagonda Club (UK) records confirm that chassis Z11408 was first registered 1st July 1935 and may have been a ‘Works’ demonstrator before being delivered to its first owner on the 8th November 1935, Viscount Monsell of Evesham. A distinguished first owner he was a decorated Naval Commander during World War One and the MP for Evesham District from 1910 to 1936 he also held the position of Chief Whip of the Conservative party until 1931 when he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty.
By November 1955 it was in the ownership of a K A Targett of Chiswick and in 1970 was acquired by Tony Toffolo of Paignton, Devon who is understood to have removed the original ‘ST65’ saloon body replacing it with this ‘Le Mans’ style touring body that remains on the car today. Lagonda records show that only 10 M45A’s were produced, all with pillarless four-door ‘ST64’ saloon coachwork. The M45A utilised a modified version of the marque’s proven 10-ft 9in `ZM’ chassis with the radiator and Girling brake system of the Rapide and was powered by an unstressed Meadows 6ESC 4453cc OHV straight-six engine, the M45A was reputedly capable of 95mph.
In December 1984 the car was acquired by motor dealer, Geoff Forty, who sold it in April 1985 to a Mr H Pendlebury of Blackburn. By July 1990 it was in the ownership of a Miss Janet Simpson of Preston, who sold the car in 2008 to a Mr J Elston who’s family retained the car since.
Currently fitted with engine number M45/15 this very fine and sporting car remains in good overall condition. The integrity of the body is sound, and the paint work is still in nice condition with only a few marks and no micro blistering. The interior is also in good shape, buyers please note there is no real all weather equipment, just a tonneau cover for each compartment, the windscreen folds down to reveal the fly screens.
Having been laid up for a while it has recently received some recommissioning work in our own service dept. and a full service, the engine oil pressure is good and the gearbox is in fine working condition. A truly handsome and powerful pre War sporting car, this rare M45A is destined only to go up in value as it reaches it’s centenary while providing outstanding vintage motoring. SOLD.
