Aston Martin Lagonda

The Aston Martin Lagonda is considered by many as one of the ugliest or worst cars by Aston Martin. The name Lagonda is derived from the Lagonda marque Aston Martin acquired in 1947. The Lagonda was designed by William Towns.

There are 2 very specific Lagonda. The first is the 1974-1975 Lagonda Series 1 based on the Aston Martin V8 coupes. The other is more well known wedge-shpaded 1976-1990 Lagonda Series 2, 3, and 4. In total, 645 Lagondas were built.

The Lagonda Series 1 was essentially a 4-door version of the Aston Martin V8. It used a 5.3 L V8 that produced 280 horsepower and 301 torque. Top speed was 149MPH and 0-60 was in 6.2 seconds. There was a choice of with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic. Only 7 were ever built.

The radically redesigned Lagonda Series 2- 4 was first shown at the 1976 London Auto Show. It was made famous by its wedge shape design. Engine stayed relatively the same with it's 5.3 L V8 producing 280 horsepower and 302 torque. With a top speed of 143MPH and a 0-60 in 8.8 seconds, it was much slower than the Series 1, but was only 60lbs heavier at 4,460lbs. The Lagonda Series 2 was built from 1976-1985, but deliveries did not happen until 1979. The Series 2 was the successful of the 3 wedge shaped Lagonda series. The Series 3 was built from 1986-1987 and are the rarest with a total production of only 75. The Series 4 was built in 1987-1990 and saw a total production of 105.

Several special variants were also made for Lagonda. In 1983, Aston Martin Tickford Ltd offered a special Lagonda with a body kit and upgraded interior for about 85,000 British Pounds or about $140,000. About half a dozen were sold. A year later in 1984, Tickford offered a limousine version of the Lagonda. About only 4 were sold at a price of 110,000 Biritsh Pounds or about $180,000. A one-off 2-door Lagonda was made known as the Rapide. Swiss Roos Engineering built the Lagonda Shooting Brake. At least one was built.