Aston Martin Lagonda

Recently one of the automotive fan forums I frequent posted a WHAT IS THIS picture and so few people could identify it I knew it was a candidate for Smeghead's Garage.

1982 model

The Lagonda was luxury four door car produced by Aston Martin beginning with the 1974 model. That, and the 75 offering, were fairly conservative looking. It was a sedan version of the DBS.  The 5.3 L V8 engine supplied with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission and  only seven were sold.

James May with a 1979 example

Things took off with the 1976 model designed by William Thomas. Production problems delayed actual delivery of the cars until 1979.

  The cars were originally fitted with digital LED dashboards and touch pad controls, but the innovative steering wheel controls and gas plasma display were abandoned in 1980.

One-off 1987 station wagon.

 Specification
Engine: 5.3 L 5,340 cc (326 cu in) DOHC V8, producing 280 bhp (209 kW; 284 PS) @ 5000 rpm and torque 302 lb·ft (409 N·m) @ 3000 rpm

Top speed: 143 mph (230 km/h) and acceleration to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds
Length: 5,281 mm (207.9 in)
Wheelbase: 2,916 mm (114.8 in)
Width: 1,791 mm (70.5 in)
Height: 1,302 mm (51.3 in)
Weight: 2,023 kg (4,460 lb)

The 1986 and 87 models were fuel injected. Only 75 were made.

1989 model

1984 interior

 The Lagonda retailed at £49,933 in 1980, significantly more than a Ferrari 400 or Maserati Kyalami but less than a Rolls-Royce Corniche. 

Series 4

The Series 4 was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in  1987 and received a significant exterior facelift by the car's original designer William Towns. The car's sharp edges rounded off and the pop-up headlights eliminated, with a new arrangement of triple headlights each side of the grille being the most obvious alteration.

The last Lagonda was produced in 1990.