Lagonda M45 (T7)

HIStory of ALU 803

• ALU 803 is one of the earliest surviving 4.5‑litre Lagonda M45s, being only the 6th example ever built.

• It was originally used by the London distributor, Warwick Wright Ltd of Bond Street, as a demonstrator and was featured in numerous magazines & road tests.

• After moving into private hands, ALU 803 went on to travel the world. As documented by the Lagonda Club Archives, after leaving England the car went on to spend time in Singapore, Malaya, South Africa and even as far as Alaksa!

• During this time, the car has undergone several restoration efforts, including a rebuild with a Freestone & Webb DHC body in Singapore (1967–1970), re-registration as a Freestone & Webb DHC in 1979, and a new T7 body by Peter Whenman in 1989.

• Since 2013, Amies Engineering in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, has been entrusted to maintain, service, upgrade and develop the car for tours and rallies all around the world…

Rally & Touring History

• ALU 803 has an extensive rally and touring pedigree, having participated in numerous significant events over the decades.

• Its competition record includes the 1954 VSCC Pomeroy Trophy at Silverstone, the 2007 and 2010 Peking to Paris Rallies, and notable appearances at events such as the 2008 Brooklands Motoring Festival – Double Twelve (where it won first prize in the ‘Grand Tour’ Pre-War category), the 2008 Hero Classic Reliability Trial of Iceland, and the 2009 Brighton Speed Trials.
  

• Further achievements are recorded in events like the 2011 and 2014 Flying Scotsman rallies, the 2013 Great South American Challenge, the 2016 Flying Scotsman, the 2018 Grand Prix of South America Rally (where it secured 3rd place), and the 2019 Flying Scotsman.

• This comprehensive history in competitive events makes ALU 803 one of the most thoroughly campaigned examples in existence.

Technical Upgrades and Post-Rally Preparation

• Under the guidance of Jack Amies, the car has benefitted from significant technical upgrades, including a high-capacity 125L fuel tank, twin switchable fuel pumps, electronic coil ignition, military wrap springs, and a strengthened, gusseted cross member.

• Prior to sale, the car was fully recommissioned by Jack Amies, with the following work carried out:

  • Removing the body, engine, and axles; sandblasting the chassis and axles for detailed inspection and repair; and repainting in the original body colour.

  • Servicing and ensuring the brakes and wheel bearings were in good order; re-assembling with new bushes all round and re-lining the clutch.

  • Removing the cylinder head for inspection, replacing the head gasket, and then refitting the body with improvements to door gaps and catches, re-skinning the boot lid, and a full body repaint.

  • Replacing the wiring loom and restoring many small body fixtures and fittings, followed by a comprehensive test drive and final adjustments, with an overall investment of around £55k.

• As always, for anyone interested please don’t hesitate to get in touch and book in a viewing!