1976 Lagonda V8 Series 1 Saloon

What’s interesting about “007” is that it has been hot-rodded, modernized, and neutered of its ZF 5-speed

by Steve Serio

Lagonda had been dormant for a decade when Aston Martin revived the marque in 1974 as the model name for a sensational new four-door sedan based on the existing V8 coupe.

Launched at the London Motor Show in October 1974, the new Lagonda was 305 mm (12″) longer in wheelbase than the V8 coupe, whose engine and running gear it shared and to which it bore an understandably strong resemblance. Priced at £14,040 ($32,713) at the time of its launch, the Lagonda cost 24% more than the contemporary coupe and was one of the most expensive motorcars of the time.

An exclusive model even by Aston Martin standards, it was cataloged until June 1976, by which time a mere seven had been made. Of the seven factory cars built in period, only two were completed with the ZF 5-speed manual gearbox; s/n 12007, the car offered here, was one of them. 

The car has been extensively re-engineered and enhanced by respected marque specialists R.S. Williams Ltd....