LagondaNet

[steelydave39]

Does anyone else have unusually bad panel gaps on the Lagonda boot lid? I can stick my index finger in the gap on both sides of the boot lid. The rest of the car isn't bad, but the boot lid gaps actually get comments. That's how noticeable they are. The car was never hit, it was built this way. Anyone else with the same?

[Vincent]

Have a look at the sills and the rear wheel arches on the door side...sometimes the chassis is so tired that it may open rear...Sorry to say this, but it could cost some money to fix it !
I'm hoping for you that's not the case here...
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[jonc]

Certainly the panel gaps on 13277 and 13379 are not like this.

When you say you can get a finger in, is this all down the side from the rear window to the bumper?

Since these cars were hand-built it is possible that the boot lid is sized according to the size of the gap (like the doors). Maybe the boot lid has been replaced with one from another car?

Jonathan

[steelydave39]

No Vincent, sills are in great shape and there is zero evidence of any damage that would have caused the boot lid to be replaced. I cant for the life of me understand how this car left the factory without someone saying these gaps were unacceptable. The gap on the right is 1 cm and the left is about 1 1/2 cm. These are pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90191338@N07/8204089489/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/90191338@N07/8205180924/

[steelydave39]

My old Lagonda, chassis 13376, which was the very first 1985 car and one of only 4 85's w/ the original LED dash did not have this problem

[jonc]

The boot lid has a weakness along the edge above the number plate recess where the horizontal main flat piece curves over to the rear section.

If someone repeatedly closes the boot by using the top edge then this causes the edge to crack, and can leave dents in this area. Maybe this would be a reason to replace a boot lid?

As you can see from your measurements, these hand-made cars are built to quite wide tolerances!

I will measure my boot lids if I remember today..

Jonathan

[jonc]

Actually, maybe not wide tolerences here.

My gaps are pretty much a consistent 4-5mm, and the width of each opening is within a millimetre or so:

13277:


13379:


All pictures here:

http://s1238.beta.photobucket.com/user/joncuk/library/Lagonda/Reference/Panel%20Gaps

[Vrije]

Actually the top rear fenders are so weak, you can just push them in and out by hand, 057 had a way to close gap, got a rubber hammer, hit it just once at the top and then it was already too wide, so pulled back bare handed,no dents or folds to happen.

Harry

[steelydave39]

Thats strange Harry. One thing I can say for my car is the fenders are so ridiculously solid no human could possibly move them. As a semi pro weightlifter, I think I can say this w/authority. My fenders are literally like stone. I wonder why now that you're telling me this. Perhaps method of construction modified over time?

[Vrije]

just checked it this minute, got a grip at the two fender tips with both hands and pulled, easily moving some mills!! ( Oh yeah, I'm not angry mr. Mcgee and not turning green Hulk style )

Harry