This almost sounds too good to be accurate; a 1983 Aston Martin Lagonda is being offered for under $30,000. The renowned Lagonda showcased on Hemmings with its unmistakable wedge-shaped design is a rare discovery. There is just one tiny little hitch: it appears as if the top half has been subjected to a blowtorch, and it displays a large hole in the bonnet.
On the positive side, the seller mentions that this Lagonda has been stationary for numerous years and is “an excellent restoration opportunity.” Be prepared to get your hands dirty if this piques your interest, as this vehicle will require extensive work.
Originally painted in black, the ’83 sedan boasts the angular headlamps and small (by today’s standards) grille that was in vogue with vehicles such as the Lamborghini Countach, BMW M1, and Lotus Esprit from the same era. The bodywork crafted by William Towns exhibits a distinct “folded paper” style with crisp, well-defined edges.
Internally, the Lagonda’s beige interior seems to be mostly intact – including the walnut veneer – which could be deemed somewhat miraculous. However, the trunk tells a different story, and the roof is in poor condition. The V8 engine is covered in rust. The seller asserts that it includes an automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and steering, and it runs on steel wheels encased in white line tires; a spare tire is also part of the package.
The Drive‘s Mike Spinelli penned an homage to the Lagonda and illustrated the original engine in a poetic manner:
“The 5.3-liter, dual-overhead-cam V8 bears resemblance to the AM V8 coupe of its period. To meet the torque requirements of the heavier sedan, the team modified the intake manifold and introduced different heads with larger valves to compensate for a reduced air box squeezed into the Series 2’s more compact engine bay. In its adjusted state, the Weber-carbureted V8 delivered 280 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. (A turbocharged variant capable of 380 HP was reportedly tested but ultimately scrapped due to reliability concerns.) The same Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission found in the Maserati Quattroporte of that era was mated to the crank.”
I have a deep admiration for the current range of Aston Martins, with each one offering a unique driving experience. If you’ve been envisioning owning a 1983 Lagonda and possess the expertise to restore it to its original grandeur, this might be right up your alley. Once restored, this sharply designed sedan is a mesmerizing spectacle to admire.
Have a tip? Leave a comment here or drop a message to kristin.shaw@thedrive.com.
