Rare is the opportunity for engineers to express all of their talents with few limitations, but W.O. Bentley was given the chance to do just that when he arrived at British automaker Lagonda in the late 1930s. He put together a V-12 that was composed of Chromidium, Duralumin, steel, aluminum, and phosphor-bronze, and every single component was tested so that it would perform flawlessly under any operating condition. It sat on a chassis that had independent front suspension and four-wheel hydraulic brakes, which greatly improved handling and stopping power. The performance of the Lagonda V-12 astonished the world, and today, it is arguably the most desirable British grand tourer of its era.

CHASSIS NUMBER 14113: THE CHAPEL, DRESSES, AND LIPSTICK

Chassis no. 14113, offered here, was built in August 1939 as one of the final of the fewer than 200 V-12 Lagondas completed. It was one of nine cars that remained in inventory when the factory was shuttered for World War II and, for storage, were moved to the unlikely premises of a chapel in Chelsea.

During 1940 it was decided that the “chapel cars” were to be sold to buyers outside of England. Accordingly, this became one of the very few V-12 models originally delivered in the United States. Its first owner was Joseph Luchs, a prominent Austrian-born dress manufacturer in Manhattan, who had come to desire a Lagonda while earlier living in England and now had the means to make his dream a reality. Prior to delivery Mr. Luchs had Lagonda modify the rear fenders for the fitment of streamlined “skirts,” as recorded in build information on file, as well as install Ace wheel discs and driving lights. He received the car in October 1940, with, amusingly, the customary one-year factory warranty—something Lagonda was obviously, at the time, totally unequipped to honor.

Later the car was owned by Robert C. Bacon, a grain dealer in Boston, and subsequently by Walter D. Douglas II, who resided in the exclusive Lido Isle community of Newport Beach, California. In 1962 Mr. Douglas’ attorney, Keating Coffey, wrote the famed Harrah’s Automobile Collection, inquiring as to whether they would be interested in acquiring his client’s automobile. The Harrah’s research file, a copy of which accompanies the car, includes a to-the-point memo from Bill Harrah to curator Bud Catlett: “This is the one I want. Please see what you can do.” Catlett nonetheless played coy and negotiated a fair purchase for the collection, consummated that March. The car remained in Reno for the next 23 years.

When the Harrah’s stable was dispersed at a series of famed auctions, the Lagonda was sold at the 1985 event, described in the catalogue as being “very original except for some cosmetic restoration,” and retaining its original top and interior. It was restored later in the decade for its new owner, Ken Behring’s Blackhawk Collection, in a bright red livery with complementary fawn top and interior. It eventually passed from that legendary stable to another prominent Northern California collection where it quietly remained for almost three decades.

In 2015, well-known enthusiast John Shibles of Sea Girt, New Jersey, purchased the Lagonda. The late Mr. Shibles was highly regarded for the fine quality of the Full Classics in his carefully chosen collection, each of which was studiously prepared cosmetically and mechanically, well-researched historically, and shown with pride and joy at events. He was fond of nicknaming his automobiles, with the Lagonda being dubbed—for obvious reasons—“Lipstick.” The new owner soon embarked upon 16 months of freshening by the noted Steve Babinsky’s Automotive Restorations of Lebanon, New Jersey. The work included an engine rebuild, fabrication of a new exhaust, a properly recored radiator, and a partial retrimming of the interior, all completed to a beautiful standard and documented by invoices on file.

Lipstick was shown by Mr. Shibles at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It later received Ladies’ Choice at Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-Lago (Cavallino 27), and won its class at the 2019 Elegance at Hershey and the 2020 Greenwich Concours.

Still in beautiful overall condition, this very special car is a genuinely unique example of the classic Lagonda V-12, one of the very finest driving machines of its era, with a rich provenance including great collectors and fascinating individuals.