“Summed up, the 3½-litre Lagonda is a car of character which abounds in practical features of the kind appreciated by the motorist of experience.

In these days of high-speed engines, the fitting of a big power unit capable of handling high gear ratios is a distinctive characteristic.

It would be difficult to select a more appropriate vehicle for fast and lengthy journeys.” – Motor.

Lagonda's early success had been founded on the production of light cars, but the company changed direction in the mid-1920s with the introduction of the 14/60.

The latter abandoned the firm's traditional in-unit gearbox in favour of a midships-mounted transmission, but of greater technical interest was the engine.

Designed by Arthur Davidson, this advanced 2-litre ‘four’ featured twin high-mounted camshafts operating inclined valves in hemispherical combustion chambers.

Davidson was less adventurous when asked to come up with a larger, six-cylinder engine for the 16/65.

Originally of 2,692cc, the ove...