Lagonda cars—it’s a somewhat-obscure brand that you’re likely not familiar with. But the company has a long and considerably impressive history in the automotive world.
From being founded by an opera singer, to eventually being bought out by Aston Martin
, Lagonda cars’ past and present are full of interesting details, even if you’ve never heard about it before. Take a look at what the company has done and where Lagonda cars are headed, and how much you could be saving on your car insurance
, whether you own an Aston or otherwise. Lagonda cars: a dive into the past
Lagonda cars got their start all the way back in 1905, as My Auto World
explains. Wilber Gunn, an American and former opera singer from Ohio, started up his business after several moderately successful ventures into motorcycle racing. The first Lagonda powertrain featured a 20-hp, six-cylinder Torpedo engine, which Gunn used to win the Moscow-St. Petersburg trial of 1910. After winning the race, Wilber Gunn continued to export many of his vehicles to Russia all the way until 1914.
A 20-hp engine may not sound impressive in today’s automotive industry, but Gunn was quite the innovator of his time. One of Lagonda’s most notable vehicles was known as a small car—the “11.1”, which featured a larger four-cylinder, 1000 cc engine. The vehicle even had an anti-roll bar across the back that’s still used in modern vehicles. The 11.1 also had one of the first-ever fly-off handbrakes.
The future of Lagonda cars: the Aston Martin buyout
The Lagonda company continued its innovations, diving into the luxury car market and carving out a name for itself by competing with the likes of Rolls Royce in the 1920s and ‘30s, until finally being bought out by Aston Martin.
After being purchased, the Lagonda car engines were redesigned by Aston Martin, one of the most famous being the 2580 cc twin-overhead straight six engine, which became the standard powertrain for Aston Martin’s vehicles during the 1950s.
The first Aston Martin to feature the brand’s namesake was the aptly christened Aston Martin Lagonda, which debuted in 1974. A four-door hardtop with luxury at the foremost of its priorities, the Lagonda came with a 5.4-liter V8 with over 300-hp. Despite its brawn and style, though, the Lagonda was considered an ugly duckling and was widely panned by critics.
MORE: The 2022 Aston Martin DB11 Demands Respect and Gives Sophistication
Are there any Lagonda cars that are worth buying?
For ultra-classic car collectors, vintage Lagonda cars from the 1930s and ‘40s are almost sure to be rare and can cost thousands, if not more. The Lagonda cars of the ‘80s may have more of a “cool” factor, but they were never truly popular, and are likely to be overpriced for potential buyers.
In all honesty, Lagonda fans should instead be hyped about the recent press release revealed by Aston Martin
. Aston Martin intends the brand to pave the way for the company’s EV aspirations, and the press release shows off the Lagonda “All-Terrain Concept”, which looks more like a spaceship than an actual car. MORE: The 2022 Aston Martin Vantage Introduced a Track-Ready F1 Edition
Shop for Lagonda car insurance with Jerry’s help
If you own an Aston Martin Lagonda or one of Lagonda’s original cars, you could be paying hundreds of extra dollars toward an overpriced car insurance policy. It’s time for an insurance policy glow-up. Jerry
can help you transition toward more affordable rates. To ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.