1930 Lagonda 2L Supercharged prototype low chassis

THE VERY FIRST SUPERCHARGED 2 LITRE AND CONSIDERED THE "WORKS PROTOTYPE"

FIRST EVER SUPERCHARGED 2 LITRE, USED IN LAGONDA'S ADVERTISING AND PRESS TESTING.

• Chassis number: 0H9711

• Engine number: 1459 (2B981)

• UK registration: PL1240

Race pedigree:

Having established its reputation by winning the Moscow - St Petersburg Reliability Trial of 1910 with a 30hp six, Lagonda concentrated mainly on the production of light cars before reverting to sporting and luxury models in the mid 1920's with the introduction of the 14/ 60. The latter abandoned the firm's traditional in unit gearbox in favor of a midships mounted transmission but of greater technical interest was the engine.

The 2-Litre "Four":

Designed by Arthur Davidson, the 2 litre 'four' featured twin camshafts mounted high in the block, operating inclined valves in hemispherical combustion chambers. Power output of this advanced design was a highly respectable 60bhp.

The speed model is born.

For the 1929 season, a 'low chassis' Speed Model was introduced, featuring revisions to the frame's front end and a higher compression engine fitted with twin carburetors. The Speed Model had resulted from the factory's Le Mans effort of 1928, when the 2 Litre driven by Andre D'Erlanger and Douglas Hawkes had finished 11th overall in the 24-Hour endurance classic.

Enhanced by the Supercharger.

A classic example of racing improving the breed, the 'low chassis' 2 litre possessed markedly superior handling characteristics courtesy of its lower centre of gravity. For all its virtues, Davidson's engine was limited by its tortuous induction tracts and in 1930 a supercharged version was introduced to overcome this deficiency.

The 'blower' was mounted vertically in front of the engine which was fitted with a stronger crankshaft while a 3-litre rear axle beefed up the transmission. A Powerplus supercharger was specified at first but most 'blown' 2 litres came with a Cozette. Thus equipped, a 'low chassis' 2 litre was capable of up to 90mph.