1939 lagonda V12

[motec 6.9]

Hi guys this 1939 V12 Lagonda at pebble beach enjoy http://www.conceptcarz.com/events/eventVehicle.aspx?carID=13449&eventID=682&catID=2435&whichPage=1

 

[Styria]

Hi Geoff, what did you think of this Lagonda V12 ? I saw three of those at the home of a chap by the name of Whitehead, the. Architect that designed Bankstown Square. I have written about him and his Lagondas elsewhere in TK. Regards Styria.

 

[motec 6.9]

Hi Styria I think it is one off the most elegant of pre war British cars . http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13449/Lagonda-V12.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagonda . As you would know they were amalgamated with Aston Martin.

 

[motec 6.9]

I hope people enjoy looking at the pictures of these cars as they truly are very elegant .

 

[BenzBoy]

Nice to drive but prone to breaking a camshaft at cruising speed .....

 

[motec 6.9]

How about a slide valve Daimler V12 .

 

[BenzBoy]

W. O. Bentley designed the motor for the Lagonda - at a time when the complexity of the V12 really pre-ceeded the development of appropriate metals. The R-R PIII 12 cylinder suffered a similar fate - and that is why Henry was dead against it.
Regards,
Brian

 

[motec 6.9]

But was exceedingly good at building aero V12. Have heard Spitfire at Temora Museum.

 

[BenzBoy]

But was exceedingly good at building aero V12. Have heard Spitfire at Temora Museum.

Indeed - I can't answer why one was a success and one was not quite so.
Regards,
Brian

 

[BenzBoy]

http://www.cromoclassico.com/eng/lagonda.html
It looks likely that oil delivery to the camshaft may have been the cause of early failure.
Regards,
Brian

 

[motec 6.9]

Maybe I can look for the answer. Oh goody another posting opportunity.

 

[BenzBoy]

Maybe I can look for the answer. Oh goody another posting opportunity.

No: don't get caught up in frantic posting - make each one count for something truly worthwhile - you know what inflation does to the purchasing power of money....
Regards,
Brian

 

[Styria]

Geoff, for a change it is satisfying to note the absence of the almost obligatory 'white walls' from Pebble Beach concours participants. Out of the two, I prefer the two tone black over grey.

It is interesting to note your comments about camshaft breakages (BenzBoy). Any reason for this ? Additionally, what in fact would, or could happen to the engine other than coming to a premature halt ? One would think that pistons and valves would NOT touch each other in a situation like that. I knew that the V12 engine did have a fundamental conrod/bearing problem, and whilst I have read about it somewhere, the exact details escape me.

I have seen these V12 Lagonda Coupes in real life, and rest assured, they are an imposing vehicle. In pre-war days there was no W.O. Bentley involvement - well no, I suspect I am incorrect because wasn't it W.O. that prepared the cars, or built the engines, for the two Le Mans racers ? I think David Brown may have acquired Lagonda probably somewhere around 1948, and W.O. was certainly responsible for the design and manufacture of the twin 2.6 litre ohc engine in both the DB2/4 Aston Martin and the 1953 (?) Lagonda dhc. All this info from memory and long time 'past reading', so I do stand to be corrected.
It's all fascinating history and stuff. Regards Styria

 

[motec 6.9]

If the right question is asked like you just asked I will look for the correct way to post information . I am an enthusiast first .

 

[BenzBoy]

The motor would probably just come to a halt but imagine the damage to bearings! The other problem was the four bearing support for the crankshaft - and remember that oils in the 1930s were not what they are today...just too much load on the bearings to cope.
Regards,
Brian

 

[motec 6.9]

Yes I tend to agree plus babbitted bearings not tri-metal.

 

[BenzBoy]

And yet some Silver Ghosts run still on their original white metal bearings ...

 

[motec 6.9]

Yes low compression good maintenance counts for a lot I know of a original Triumph twin still running original un rebuilt engine. its a 35 model from memory belongs to a friends father in Canberra he has Rapide as well .