LagondaNet

Vincent · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 1055 Location: Belgium

IMHO, the green VNK352S could be as well 13005 or 13006.
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jonc · Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Posts: 584 Location: Cheshire, UK

Here is another photo:

This is from page 45 of Aston Martin and Lagonda by Chris Harvey, published 1979. The picture is captioned "The latest Lagonda is still very much to W.O. Bentley's post-war concept, except that it inhabits the higher price bracket rather than a half way stage. It has four doors and a very large luggage boot, but the styling is thoroughly modern."

Look at the sculpture to the top right. This is the same sculpture as on the Tavistock colour photo on the left - this shot was taken at the same time!

So, it is of 13008 and it shows the car has the prototype wheel trims, but also that it does not have the rectangular exhaust tail-pipes. One other point - it has a clear glass sunroof - like photographed on 13002 in the gallery.

On a separate note, I had a call today from the DVLA apologising for the time it has taken for them to respond to the history request. The reason for this was that as well as the car's current reg of BVS133S, I included the others 'known' - VNK352S, VNK353S, 1 AML. They had looked into each of these (I bet 1 AML took a while!) and had concluded the car never had 1 AML or VNK352S. They were confused about VNK352S because not only had I included it on the request, but when the car was re-registered in the UK in 1997, the request had that reg on it.

I already knew about the VNK352S request - the car had spent many months at AML being worked on and the previous owner had then planned to tour Europe in the car. Since the car was in the UK, and the owner was in Asia, AML re-registered the car on UK plates and insured it for him, putting his address as Newport Pagnell. The first insurance cover note was for VNK352S but was replaced after a couple of days with BVS133S - DVLA had issued the car with a new registration. Was it because the request had been submitted with the wrong number? So, even AML were confused about which registration the car had!

I don't have the DVLA report yet, but one fact I did glean - VNK352S was on a different car, with a chassis number only one digit different. They were not able/allowed to give me any other information on it, but at least it confirms the other car was road-registered and in the range of chassis numbers (13001-13009) we are considering. I agree with Vincent - 005 or 006.

Vrije · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 440

As most AM and L books state 006 was send to Javalina for dash work,any evidence or pics from that corner??

Lagonda87 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 315

Very interesting information Jonathan! Cool

You wrote earlier abort the rare Volvo/Jensen wheels you managed to get your hands on, and which was used on 13008 in the photosession with the horse and rider. Do you also know the origin of the prototype wheels ?

The styling of the prototype wheels is quite unusual. I wonder if the design was Astons own, or a part sourced from another manufacturer. Looks like something Citroėn could have designed - or perhaps something from an American car from the 60's or 70's.

Lagonda87 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 315

I just discovered an older topic on this board concerning the green car.

Tim C thinks it is 13006

http://lagondanet.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=720&sid=3ac27e24e51b982da1d382fbb54ec33d

Vrije · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 440

But is pictured with unmodified Jaguar hubcaps !?

Vincent · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 1055 Location: Belgium

jonc · Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Posts: 584 Location: Cheshire, UK

I don't know the source of the prototype wheel trims. I recall there was one for sale within the last few years on eBay but it is probably now on a collector's wall. It would be really nice to have a set though. I recall a comment in a book that the earliest photos and footage of 001 were done with only two trims as they only had time to make two. They swapped them over to the other side when needed. This implies at least some parts of them were bespoke.

Quick update on ownership - I now have the DVLA response.

* Car was first registered on 28/4/1978 - 4 days after 'handover'
* Car retained the reg. VNK 353S to at least 12/3/1981
* Car was owned from new by Lord Tavistock until 12/1/1981
* Sold to a company in Blackpool 12/1/1981.
* No details/record of export (although I know it was registered in HK 10/9/1982

Lagonda87 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 315

I noticed something while reading the article about Harjeet Kalsi's Lagonda:

http://driving.ca/aston-martin/reviews/road-test/respect-your-elders-the-crazy-weird-1982-aston-martin-lagonda

There is a picture of some very interesting books in the luggage compartment!

(1) First book with 13008 / VNK353S on the actual cover!

Author: Maurice A. Smith
Title: The Car: Its History, How It Works, The Great Marques

http://www.amazon.com/The-Car-History-Works-Marques/dp/0706410904

Jonathan: Do you have that book ? Otherwise you will need a copy.... Wink

I wonder if it includes more pictures of 13008 inside. Also notice the wheels!

- But beware: Multiple editions are available - I found one with a Porsche 928 on the cover:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Car-Its-History-How-it-works-The-Great-Marques-/161504706734

(2) Second book features the green prototype car / VNK352S

Author: Unknown ?
Title: Something with "Dream Machines" ?

Anyone knows the author and title ?

Vincent · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 1055 Location: Belgium

Let me check...I think I own this book
_________________
Welcome to Paradise ! (FRONT 242)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS30BC3D5WM

Vincent · Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 1055 Location: Belgium

In fact, I own a book with the same pic in it :

AUTOMOBILES EXTRAORDINAIRES
Peter VANN & Gérald ASARIA
Editions Presse Audiovisuel EPA -1983
Première édition
ISBN 2-85120-188-3

Featuring many builders/bodyshoppers as :
ARTZ/WOOD & PICKET/PANTHER/B+B/ISDERA/SBARRO...

LAGONDA : P 152
BULLDOG : P 148

Not the same book because Lagonda features on P 14 on the pic before.
_________________
Welcome to Paradise ! (FRONT 242)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS30BC3D5WM

Lagonda87 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 315

Thank you very much Vincent! Very Happy

jonc · Joined: 21 Sep 2010 Posts: 584 Location: Cheshire, UK

Thanks - I don't have that book.

In the UK it was under a different publisher with a slightly different title: The Car: Its History, How It Works, Motor Sports
by Maurice A. Smith. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+Car%2C+Its+History%2C+How+It+Works%2C+Motor+Sport

Published under StMichael which means it was sold through Marks & Spencer stores.

Lagondanet · Administrator Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 3108 Location: UK

I have the first one with the red car on the cover. St Michael. I'll take a look in it tonight. The cover is on the Lagondanet website Library page. I don't think I have the other (Dream Machines) one though.

I'll ask Harri Kalsi about the second book.

Lagonda87 · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 315

I have just ordered a copy of the book with 13008 on the cover.

Multiple UK & US sellers at alibris.com:

http://www.alibris.com/The-Car-Its-History-How-It-Works-Motor-Sport/book/-90423086?matches=13

- I think the edition published by Octopus in 1979 is the right one. I asked the seller to confirm that the cover featured a red Lagonda before ordering.