barrett's #127 - Solved - 1949-50 Lagonda 2.6/ 3-litre prototype 'Blue Monster'

barrett · February 11, 2011, 11:44:55 AM

I want to know the name of this car, and also its nickname, for a point

barrett · February 20, 2011, 03:59:19 PM

A quick expert point?

Iluvatar · February 21, 2011, 05:44:59 AM

Ghia bodywork??
MPC

billtorrance9999 · February 21, 2011, 07:01:02 AM

Hints of Aston Martin in the grille shape?

barrett · February 21, 2011, 08:23:23 AM

Not Ghia

Quote from: billtorrance9999 on February 21, 2011, 07:01:02 AM
Hints of Aston Martin in the grille shape?

Follow that hint (although it's not an A-M)

Aaron65 · February 21, 2011, 09:23:18 AM

Any chance this is the Bristol 401 "Trojan Horse" that used a bunch of Aston/Lagonda parts???

barrett · February 21, 2011, 11:50:16 AM

Not that. I've never heard of that one before, I'd like to see it!

billtorrance9999 · February 21, 2011, 11:51:59 AM

If not A-M then Lagonda?

navara · February 21, 2011, 06:12:33 PM

Looks a bit like a 1950's special called the Shirley.

barrett · February 21, 2011, 09:22:27 PM

Quote from: billtorrance9999 on February 21, 2011, 11:51:59 AM
If not A-M then Lagonda?

Bingo!
Locked for you to come up with the details to complete the answer

billtorrance9999 · February 22, 2011, 03:20:18 AM

Again I pass to those with more time on their hands than I have ....

navara · February 22, 2011, 05:32:31 AM

thanks, but I can't find any details of this exact car, (which really does resemble a DB MkIII). so please unlock,

''The 'Shirley' was just one of many special bodies produced in the 1950s, they were created in all sorts of shapes and sizes by a variety of manufacturers. Most were designed for the Ford E93A or Austin 7 chassis and/or running gear, although many special bodies could be (and were) adapted for other applications - including Triumph and Standard''.

Aaron65 · February 22, 2011, 08:40:43 AM

Is it a prototype (or test mule) for the Rapide?

barrett · February 22, 2011, 09:17:12 AM

Quote from: Aaron65 on February 22, 2011, 08:40:43 AM
Is it a prototype (or test mule) for the Rapide?

Pre-dates the Rapide by a few years, I'm not sure if the two were connected but I don't think so

Tom_I · February 22, 2011, 09:29:18 AM

I think this could be the Lagonda known as the "Blue Dragon", but I can't find any more information about it.

EDIT:

A few snippets:

Lagonda prototype of 1949, chassis number DP111. Engine number LB6A/50/220, 2.6-litre. Unlicensed since October 1988, but was sold at Bonham's in 2001 for £15525.

barrett · February 22, 2011, 10:40:48 AM

Correct so far, but I have a (very) slightly different nickname for it, Blue XXXX.
Locked for you to come up with it!

navara · February 22, 2011, 01:06:10 PM

I'm lost now as to the Shirley connection!

barrett · February 22, 2011, 01:50:21 PM

Sorry navara, no connection at all to the Kenmar Shirley!

Tom_I · February 22, 2011, 02:14:22 PM

Quote from: barrett on February 22, 2011, 10:40:48 AM
Correct so far, but I have a (very) slightly different nickname for it, Blue XXXX.

I've drawn a blank on this, I'm afraid.

I wasn't too convinced about the Blue Dragon name. I stumbled across it along with the photo I posted, and found one other (erroneous) mention, but that's about it. There was no mention of a nickname of any sort when this car was auctioned at Bonhams about ten years ago, and I haven't found mention of a blue anything in any histories of Lagonda that I have read. I've also found a picture of a Lagonda prototype with the same registration number, but it looks quite different, and again has no mention of a nickname, so I'm tired and confused.

So I'll throw in the towel on this one, and please open it up again.

barrett · February 22, 2011, 02:33:40 PM

Okay Tom I understand how frustrating it is when you get so close to completing a puzzle but can't quite find that last bit of information.
I'm awarding you a point because you have found the correct car (and a photo I'd not seen before), and I'll open this up for everyone else to gain another point for telling me the nickname (it's VERY close to blue dragon!)

woodinsight · February 22, 2011, 05:25:57 PM

Blue Dragoon?

barrett · February 22, 2011, 06:20:46 PM

Not that, it's not a variation of 'Dragon' but a word with a similar meaning.

More clues in a couple of days if it hasn't been solved

Aaron65 · February 22, 2011, 06:43:27 PM

Blue Monster?

barrett · February 22, 2011, 07:50:43 PM

Correct!
At least according to my information anyway. The DHC version was known as the 'Red Monster'.
Some period pics of both cars at the works:

woodinsight · February 23, 2011, 03:12:21 AM

A profile view of the Red Monster prototype -

News:

barrett's #127 - Solved - 1949-50 Lagonda 2.6/ 3-litre prototype 'Blue Monster'