Aston Martin Lagonda: the strangest luxury car in history (11 photos)

The beginning of the 1970s was not easy for the British car industry. The economic crisis sent many well-known brands to rest, and the fact that remained, it was necessary to make serious efforts in order to stay on afloat.





In 1972, Aston Martin, which was experiencing serious financial difficulties came under the control of independent investors. The new owners wanted to once again draw attention to the brand and designate its stable position in the market. To this end, the company started creating a very extravagant and progressive car.

"Lagonda" of the first generation



The originality of Lagonda came from its concept. Contrary to tradition, they decided to make the new car four-door, and even as much as possible luxurious, with all the inherent for cars of this class attributes. Prior to this, Aston Martin built exclusively two-door sports cars.

The development was entrusted to an experienced designer, William Towns, the author of a very successful Aston Martin DBS sample 1968. At first, Towns decided to go the easiest way and work from an existing Aston Martin body DBS V8. He increased its length, added a couple of doors and slightly redesigned the front façade. The first Lagonda was built in 1974 year. In technical terms, it is fully consistent with the original two-door model. The car was equipped with an 8-cylinder V-shaped a 5.3 liter engine with a power of 280 hp, the torque from which transferred to the rear axle. Overall, a well-established design with classic design.

Only seven cars of the first generation were made





However, the reaction of the public to the first four-door car with emblem of Aston Martin, turned out to be quite restrained. yes car turned out to be essentially good, but by that time the world had already known wedge-shaped Bizzarrini Manta and Lamborghini Countach. Consequently Lagona looked already dated.

Second generation Lagonda



Having quickly realized that with such an approach, nothing shines for his native company, Ulyam Towns decided on a radical alteration of the car, and I must say he did not lose.



The construction of the second generation Aston Martin Lagonda took two years, and in In 1976, the car again appeared before the public. This time the presentation had the effect of an exploding bomb. Updated car looked so avant-garde that many could not believe that it Aston Martin!



It impressed with its wedge-shaped body and low profile, only 1302 mm. Of the bright features - a pointed front with a modest radiator grille and a narrow slot for additional lighting devices, hood with retractable headlights, windshield with minimal camber and flattened stern with a flat trunk lid. Lagonda's design is not left no one indifferent, he either liked or unconditionally not.



The technique was largely preserved from the DBS model. From her came engine and running gear. According to positioning, mechanical the gearbox was not offered at all, 3-speed served as comfort "automatic" TorqueFlite. However, even in this configuration, the 2-ton the sedan moved quite briskly: from 0-96 km / h it accelerated in 8.8 seconds, and its maximum speed reached 230 km / h.



However, Aston Martin Lagonda is primarily a luxury car, not sports car, so its interior was equipped to the highest standard, with using natural leather and wood. But the highlight was digital dashboard. For the first time in world practice, the British, instead of mechanical, used devices based on vacuum luminescent indicators. In addition, all control buttons were touch! Samo all these complications affected the final cost and reliability cars. Rumored to develop electronics Lagonda, Aston Martin spent four times more money than on mechanics.

Dashboard based on CRT screens appeared in 1983



Cars produced in 1986-1990 had a different stylistic design and lost their “hidden” headlights



In the showrooms of the Britishbrand, Aston Martin Lagonda sold for 50 thousand pounds, which was at the level of the flagship Rolls-Royce and Bentley of those years. In general, the management understood that Lagonda is, first of all, piece, image goods. Still car diligently modernized, until the end of production in 1990. Total 638 cars were produced.

Of course, for its low reliability and controversial appearance, Aston Martin Lagonda has received a lot of criticism. However, its main task the car completed - the British company received good publicity, and wealthy enthusiasts are another collectible.