
Lagonda 11.9 1918-1923

1913 saw the introduction of the 11.1, a light car utilising a more advanced version of the angle iron/tinned sheet steel unitary body/chassis systems as the earlier cars and dispensing with the chassis frame altogether.
The engine had exposed overhead inlet and (concealed) side exhaust valves to feed its 1099 cc (67 x 78 mm), the sump casting was fixed to the chassis with the engine bolted to it rather than the normal way round and the steering was geared direct i.e. 1 : 1 ratio like a bicycle. It sold for £135 as a two seater coupé with transverse leaf front spring and quarter-elliptic rears. It was joined by a four seater in 1914. During the 1914-18 war the Staines factory turned out armaments, largely shells, but on the return of peace the 11.1 was put into production again with slight modifications. The steering was geared now and, quite soon, the longer wheel base 11.9 was introduced with a larger engine of 1420 cc (69 x 95mm) featuring a separate block and crankcase and an angular honeycomb radiator. The 11.9 continued in production until 1923 when it became the 12/24 but, due to continued increases in weight, it became steadily lower geared as time went on. There were several variants, including a stark cheap model with no starter or instruments and the bare legally necessary lamps.
The Company continued a slender sporting programme with stripped cars, including an overbored single seater which, driven by Major W H Oates, covered 79.17 miles in an hour at Brooklands and thus won the "Light Car" Trophy. Wilbur Gunn had worked astounding hours during the war and never really recovered his health afterwards, dying in 1920. All the models he fathered were technically interesting as well as practical cars; after his death the products became far more conventional, though no less practical. The 12/24 continued to attract weight like its predecessor, acquiring concealed valves, a taller radiator, forced valve gear lubrication, and finally, in 1925, front wheel brakes. The last models had a more rounded radiator form which became the basic style followed until 1939. The total production of 11.1/11.9/12.24's is unknown but was in the region of 7000; of these about 20 are known to have survived.
ESTIMATED PRODUCTION 4025
ENGINE SIZE 1420 CC
Credit: Lagonda Club