W.O. Bentley's post-Bentley masterwork — six-cylinder LG45 and the sublime 4½-litre V12, including a third place at Le Mans 1939.
After the Bentley collapse, W.O. Bentley joined Lagonda in 1935 as technical director. The LG45 used a developed Meadows 4,453cc six, while the all-new Lagonda V12 — entirely W.O.'s work — was a 4,480cc 60-degree V12 producing around 175 bhp, with double-overhead camshafts and remarkable refinement. A V12 finished third at Le Mans in 1939. Coachwork by James Young, Frank Feeley and others gave the cars elegant, restrained pre-war lines.
Some of the most technically advanced pre-war British engineering, by the same hand that designed every important Bentley before it.
| Variant | Years | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG45 | 1935–1937 | — | 4.5-litre Meadows six; Rapide variant the sporting flagship. |
| V12 | 1937–1940 | — | 4,480cc DOHC V12; Le Mans third in 1939. |
| V12 Rapide | 1938–1940 | — | Short-chassis sporting V12; the most desirable specification. |
For pre-war and vintage cars such as the Lagonda LG45 / V12, provenance is paramount. Chassis and engine number matching, period coachbuilder records, factory build sheets where available, continuous ownership documentation, original handbooks and any competition or concours history are the foundation of value. Original V12 engine, sporting open coachwork, W.O. Bentley provenance and recognised club registration.
The V12 is sophisticated and rewards a recent specialist rebuild; the LG45 Meadows six is robust if maintained. A pre-purchase inspection by a recognised marque specialist should include compression and leak-down testing, magneto and ignition checks, chassis straightness and frame survey, axle and steering wear assessment, brake system review (mechanical or hydraulic per period), and an extended road test on varied terrain to expose carburation, cooling and gearbox issues that only emerge under sustained running.
Pre-war coachwork is rarely truly original after a century of use. Establish whether the body is original to the chassis (period photographs, build records, coachbuilder plates), whether it has been re-bodied at any point, and the standard of any restoration. Quality of timber framing, ash health, panel beating and paint depth are all critical. Concealed structural rot, re-bodies presented as original, and 'tribute' cars built on later or unrelated chassis must be priced accordingly.
Le Mans-style short-chassis V12 Rapide and James Young drophead coupes lead values; saloons offer the V12's refinement at a discount. For vintage cars, event eligibility — Mille Miglia, Goodwood Revival, Pebble Beach, VSCC events, Le Mans Classic — can underwrite a substantial proportion of market value. Verify FIA/FIVA papers, period race history where claimed, and the car's standing with the relevant marque registry before purchase.
Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion
Vintage cars require disciplined preventive maintenance: lubrication regimes, magneto service, carburettor synchronisation, brake adjustment, and timber and trim conservation. A car used regularly and serviced annually by a specialist will outlast a stored example neglected for decades.
A small UK specialist network handles V12 work; engine parts are individually fabricated. Confirm the availability of marque specialists, period-correct fasteners, coachwork trim, instruments and tyres before committing. A car requiring fabricated one-off parts will absorb time and cost that a similar example with active specialist support will not.
Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions
V12 Rapide and Le Mans-style cars are firm; LG45 values lag despite engineering quality. Lagondas remain undervalued relative to comparable Bentleys.
| Date | Auction | Car | Mileage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-09-07 | Bonhams Goodwood Revival | 1939 V12 Rapide DHC | — | £782,000 Sold |
The connoisseur's pre-war British car — engineering parity with Bentley at often half the money.
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Register interestThe valuation figures in this guide are for research purposes only and do not constitute financial or investment advice. See our full disclaimer.
