Photography courtesy Broad Arrow Auctions
Major Godfrey Anthony Gillson bought this Lagonda V12 new. He’s been described as a “real-life James Bond” for his role in the British Special Forces. But, that’s just the tip of the iceberg for this incredible car.
Only 190 Lagonda V12 cars were built. Just 17 were the Rapide models. “Even fewer” were equipped with the Sanction IV 4.5-liter V12 developed to race at Le Mans.
Gillson owned the car until his death in 1944. His plane went missing during a transport flight from Calcutta, India, to modern-day Sri Lanka, presumedly crashed into the Bay of Bengal due to severe weather. Later on, Jim Whitehead, of Australia, bought it and owned it for 58 years. It was sold in 2015, moved to New Zealand and underwent a restoration costing more than $500,000. It was worth it, though, winning first in class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance soon thereafter.
Find this 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide James Young Drophead Coupe for auction at Broad Arrow Auctions, with an estimated value of €600,000-€700,000 (approximately $680,000-$800,000 USD)
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Price
Price upon request
Color
Black
