Classic Car Of The Week: 1939 Lagonda LG6 Rapide Drophead Coupe

This pre-war testament to coachwork craftsmanship first broke cover when the Lagonda LG6 debuted at the 1937 London Motor Show. Production started in 1938 and ran until September 1939, between which only 64 cars were produced. With coachwork designed by the talented Frank Feeley, who went on to design the Aston Martin DB3S, this LG6 is perhaps the finest surviving example of the six long-wheel base Drophead Coupes built.

This particular car, chassis number 12372, was shipped in January 1940 to the US main dealers in Connecticut. It was here that a Connecticut businessman, jazz fan and general connoisseur of the finer fruits in life called Horace Ridgely Bullock purchased the car as means to travel between his homes in Glen Cove, Longisland and Northeast Harbour, Maine.

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Bullock named the car The Green Hornet after a fictional, crime-fighting character created for American radio in 1936. In 2007 the car underwent a ‘nut and bolt’ restoration and was resprayed in the teal shade it sports today. In 2008 the car was awarded the Beaulieu Cup as the most significant English car at the Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance.

This particular model was sold at auction by Bonhams as part of The Frederiksen Auction in Denmark on 26 September 2015., Guide Price: £540,000

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