LagondaNet

[E38B12]

This is an old clip from Swedish television, showing the Newport Pagnell factory just after Ford bought a controlling stake in 1987. Particular emphasis is placed on showing how a Series 3 Lagonda is made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TqWHcMuoC0
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Victor P.B.
Sweden

[Rodolphe]

Thank you

[Vincent]

Now everyone is able to understand how each car is quite different from another...really impressive !
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Welcome to Paradise ! (FRONT 242)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS30BC3D5WM

[jonc]

Excellent find.

I wonder if that is David's car at the end?

[Lagondanet]

Brilliant! Thank you very much for posting it.

[Dimitri]

Best described as a motorcar hand-made by artisan craftsmen.
They don't make 'em like this anymore...
I note that some cars were originally supplied with whitewall tyres, was that a factory option ?

[jonc]

From my 1st February 1982 price list:

Factory Fitted Optional Equipment

Electric Door Mirror (Passenger side) £149.50
Lambswool Floor rugs (set of 4) £404.89
Lambswool front seat covers (each) £194.35
Non standard colour paint £485.88
Whitewall tyres £97.22
Coachlines £89.70
Rear air conditioning £1495.00

In 1982 the tyres were Avon Turbospeed. In 1984 they changed to Pirelli P7 with the introduction of the Centra wheels. Having said that, 1 AML has Avon Turbospeed whitewalls on it..

[jonc]

I would date the footage from the factory to late 1985. The Lagonda engine on the bench at 5:00 is carburated which is pre January 1986, but the Centra wheels on the LHD blue Lagonda with magnolia leather and blue carpets at around 5:43 has the later style Centra alloys with silver painted face and no black 'windows' which is post-13427/36.

I guess if there are records stating when V8 12505 was in production, this would confirm it. That is the only chassis number I can spot in the footage.

Also, if it was 1986 on, might I expect to see a Zagato or two working through production?

Jonathan

[Tim_C]

I only think the P7 tyre was fitted to optional BBS cross spoke wheels. My car has later centra wheels and Avon turbo speeds
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Registrar of Cars, AMHT

[Tim_C]

Ill check on 12505 when I get home but I think it was finished in early 1986 and would have taken 3 months to build
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Registrar of Cars, AMHT

[jonc]

[Tim_C]

It must be late 1985 as 12505a v8 vantage, was road registered on the 21 03 1986.
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Registrar of Cars, AMHT

[Tim_C]

12505 was dispatched to Stratton MoCo on the 15 Jan 1986.
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Registrar of Cars, AMHT

[Mitrovic]

Fantastic video! Incredible that AM has survived!