Cars you always wanted, and could possibly buy if you were completely bonkers!!

[Bobby Dazzler]

I've wanted loads of cars over the years, but one that sticks in my mind more than most is the Aston Martin Lagonda, ideally in pale metallic blue.

Ever since I saw it in the 1984 David Bellamy I-Spy Book of Cars I wanted one. I can literally remember the moment as clear as anything. Stood in WHSmiths - the book department was upstairs - one cold, dark and wet Saturday morning. This time of year, my Mom and Nan were looking for Christmas presents, and I was mesmorised by the Lagonda.

We couldn't afford it (even though it was only £1.25 if I remember right), but I begged my mom for the book.

There's one on ebay at the moment, and it bought it all flooding back.

Would rather have this one though.

Ever fancied a car that's similarly bonkers, but which you always wanted?

 

[neilrr]

My own list of cars I've always wanted is very long.

Your choice is a nightmare on 4 wheels.

SO hard to find a good one as they cost an absolute fortune to maintain and have depreciated like a rock dropped from a great height. Definitely a car to buy from an AM specialist such as Nick Mee or RS Williams

£19,500 + commission http://www.coys.co.uk/auctions/lot.php?auction=55&id=42693

This is more interesting & MUCH rarer at £14,900 + http://www.coys.co.uk/auctions/lot.php?auction=55&id=42660

 

[grober]

gold portfolio.

If you are interested there are several articles on/road tests of ,the Lagonda in the excellent ASTON MARTIN Gold Portfolio series 1972-1985 by R.M. Clark published by Brooklands Books. ISBN 0 948207 590 Heres a cutaway drawing from the Autocar article by Stuart Bladon of 1978. Sorry its only part of 2 pages- SCANNER too small!

 

[scumbag]

Thats the car in my bonkers list too.
Am quite suprised I havent got round to getting one yet!

I wonder why Ford have not brought Lagonda back as a car. They could throw up a Volvo/jag mixture and bash some sheet metal about to make it look luxury handbuilt and sell it for far more than its worth.


The Bentley Turbo R circa 1989 era is on the list too. I think thats maybes why I got the Chrysler!!

A bentley speed 6 is on the list, but I cant afford that so that disqualify's it.

Am actually daft enough, that if i ever see a DeLorean, I would have one of those too.

 

[imadoofus]

An extract of something I wrote for a classic car magazine a couple of years ago:

The William Towns Aston Martin Lagonda should take top honours for sheer balls-out bravery from a manufacturer on its knees at the time. So many times we've seen badge-engineering and variations on a theme from manufacturers too afraid to upset existing buyers (I cite the V12 XK-E, which I consider a waste of time and effort when the sublime XJ-S was just around the corner). With the Lagonda, Aston Martin built a four door, which was a departure (Atom and 'DB' Lagonda notwithstanding), and with a new, totally radical design which is as jaw-gapingly startling today as it was then. The fact that the concept in its original form didn't work just adds to the bravery.

It's not fair to say they cost an absolute fortune to maintain though, Neil. They are expensive cars, there's no doubt, but the Tadek Marek V8 is pretty well bulletproof if looked after, and once the LED instruments were changed by Cranfield to CRT in the SIII, and later to vacuum flourescent, they worked fine too, even if they were a little less sci-fi.

The Lagonda is an acquired taste, and the initial reliability issues were the killer. The press launch was at Woburn Abbey, with the first car being delivered to Lord & Lady Tavistock. Only they had to push it onto the stage, because it wouldn't start

It's always been at the top of my Dream Garage list, and Mrs Doofus knows that as soon as I get a garage that holds a 17' long, 6' wide car, then a Lagonda's going in it, no discussion.

 

[sye73]

Bobby Dazzler - That blue Lagonda looks nice, although I wonder why the original wheels were changed for Jag ones ?? As much as I like AML's, I dont think I'd ever be brave enough to buy one - the potential for huge bills is massive.
Amongst my ' dream ' cars are an Aston Martin Vantage from about '88/'89, a Cobra and an F40....

 

[imadoofus]

Bobby Dazzler - That blue Lagonda looks nice, although I wonder why the original wheels were changed for Jag ones ??

Nope. They're original Lagonda wheels. The first cars had body-coloured wheel covers, and these alloys were on the SIII (although the car pictured is an SII)

PJ

 

[R2D2]

I always wanted a Alfa Sud 1.5 Super (not ti and not 1.7) with is wonderful sublime handling and fantastic engine BUT built by Mercedes with proper metal, a proper interior and electrics that worked! Is it much to ask?

 

[nickg]

Ferrari 456 - looks so tempting and useable at around £40K now and not moving much price-wise
Brabus GL 6.1 as featured in ME this month - awesome
Maserati Quattroporte - best looking saloon car

That's about it at the moment. Selling the SL60 has brought me down to earth a bit.
But I suppose I would also get something mental for trips to the 'ring - not necessarily the fastest racing car, but something fairly exotic like a Gallardo or a Superamerica.

 

[saorbust]

Personally I've always loved these - http://www.chesil.co.uk/

My wife says I should act my age - in other words wait 20 years. They also have a slight issue in that the space is a little tight for those over 6ft tall. I sat in one at the Canary Wharf motorshow a couple of years ago, and did end up test driving it - couldn't get on with it.

So - maybe to look at.

I've always liked the Aston Martin Vantage, Coupe though - as in Matt's. Lucky g*t !!! Never been a fan of the DB7 - drives like a pig.

Still like the hot hatch concept as well - so love the Honda Type-R, and the Seat Leon Cupra. Not a fan of the Focus ST - although my brother has one and its a loony machine.

If I had a choice, money no object, I've always loved the Ferrari F430 - to me the lines and shape are just perfect. However with kids and family - for a long distance GT type car, which also had an element of hooligan about it - then either the CLS63 AMG (for a new car) or perhaps a Porsche 996 Carrera 4S (I don't like the 997 - must be one of the few) with the kids at their grannies !!!

Practically speaking - my wife's Honda Jazz is just the best city car ever and seems to be like a tardis for holding luggage, kids and so forth - it never fills up.

Alternatively - the Jag D-Type I think had appeal, just nice lines, a bit like the XK8/R (original - not new one) - they make great curves.

For sheer smiles - the Honda S2000 had a lot going for it - had one for about 6 months one summer. Not good in the Winter !!

I guess of all these, then probably the Porsche 996. Great question btw.

 

[SEM]

I like my classics and always remember these from my brothers workshop manuals

 

[WLeg]

http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/am_lagonda_series_2.htm

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I hadn't expected such a reaction!! Strange how several of the car I have on my wish list appear on other peoples too. I wonder what it is that appeals so much? The AML certainly seems to have it, whatever it is!!

Ferrari 456 is very close to the top for me (and also fairly bonkers - not same league of bonkers-ness as the AML though!!). I absolutely love them - bizarrely they're quite subtle for a 'rrari - and they've got four seats. You can have your pick for low-£30ks now from private and independents. I've seen two sets of 456 fitted luggage on ebay - one of which ended this week, and they're a work of art too.

Jensen Interceptor. Believe it or not, that was my first choice of family car when we were expecting Junior Dazzler. Kept up the nagging for close to two months until I conceded to Mrs D, and her suggestion better judgement.

The Chesil Speedster is one car that Mrs D does like, and isn't that bonkers. She needs no real persuassion on these too, but I keep thinking I should put the money into a 'real' Porsche 356. Or...

A Porsche 914 - not at all bonkers, cheap and no need for a huuuge garage (not like the AML imadoofus ). Finding a nice one is difficult though. One day I reckon one will be mine!!

An SL Pagoda or 190SL would be another top-ten car too. As would maybe a Vauxhall Firenza Droop-Snoot, Vauxhall Chevette HSR, Opel Manta Exclusive

 

[sye73]

Nope. They're original Lagonda wheels. The first cars had body-coloured wheel covers, and these alloys were on the SIII (although the car pictured is an SII)

PJ

Oh, didn't realise that ( judging by the text in their advert, not does the seller!)

 

[Doodle]

In no particular order -

Skyline R32 GTR, gunmetal grey, with plenty of trick bits, breathed upon by one of the big Japanese tuning houses
Integra TypeR DC5 (oops, already got one of those)
R129 Brabus SL (probably the 7.3, just because...)
G55 Kompressor
190E Evo2
300SEL 6.3
450SEL 6.9
W124 500E
RSR Alfa GTV6

 

[sye73]

I hadn't expected such a reaction!! Strange how several of the car I have on my wish list appear on other peoples too. I wonder what it is that appeals so much? The AML certainly seems to have it, whatever it is!!

Ferrari 456 is very close to the top for me (and also fairly bonkers - not same league of bonkers-ness as the AML though!!). I absolutely love them - bizarrely they're quite subtle for a 'rrari - and they've got four seats. You can have your pick for low-£30ks now from private and independents. I've seen two sets of 456 fitted luggage on ebay - one of which ended this week, and they're a work of art too.


Agreed - 456's are lovely and their interiors are stunning. Just need a bigger set of wheels to get them looking spot on IMO.

 

[sye73]

Ooh, two more :
CLS63
Gullwing.... of course

 

[miro]

SLK Estate 4Matic - dont laugh, I'm sure that someone has already done it.

The Aston Martin owned by Prince Charles.

F60 .... the italians will build anything for a price.

Maclaren F1 car

 

[Satch]

Always fancied a Citroen SM.

 

[glojo]

1. A few months ago there was a beautiful picture of a Bentley Arnage or R type 4x4 estate. What a beautiful car.

2. DB5 or Vantage.

Definitely NOT this Bentley 4x4

John