Diesel Lagondas

Diesel Lagondas

A colleague has handed me the July issue of MOTOR SPORT and I have read with interest the letter from Mr. Davey regarding diesel engined Lagondas. In the fifties I was Chief Engineer of a mainly Gardner engined fleet, and am today still a Gardner enthusiast.

Around this period we converted a 1936 Lagonda, type LG 45 — No. 12023, registration number DTN 445 to diesel power; the LK engine used, number 46199, was converted to car specification in our own workshops. The material was supplied by Gardner, special pistons, cams. triple valve springs and triple injection plunger springs — the governor was removed and the modified engine could attain 3500 r.p.m. The mountings were manufactured and supplied by the Pelican Engineering Co., Leeds. To date the car has completed 142,846 miles, 87,066 miles with the LK engine which is still running and returns over 40 m.p.g.

Like the cars quoted by Mr. Davey this onc is fitted with a pillarless saloon body and was extensively rebuilt last year.

Thanking you for printing this interesting article. Trees, Ayrshire NORMAN R. DODDS