Reviving the Avant-Garde: The Aston Martin Lagonda's Journey from Controversy to Classic

Discover the Aston Martin Lagonda: From Design Rebel to Coveted Classic

The Timeless Appeal of Aston Martin

Envisioning the Aston Martin brand conjures up images of vehicles that defy the passage of time, with their 1950s and 1960s models achieving iconic status. The brand's commitment to classic aesthetics has allowed even models from the turn of the century to maintain a dignified presence, aging with a grace that is rare in the automotive world.

Despite the company's fluctuating financial health prior to its acquisition by Ford in the early 2000s, Aston Martin consistently produced a limited range of high-value automobiles. This strategy, while exclusive, left the company vulnerable to the caprices of the economy and shifting trends in car ownership.

The Lagonda Experiment: A Bold Departure

In a daring move to diversify its offerings, Aston Martin unveiled an entry-level four-door vehicle in the 1970s, reviving the 'Lagonda' name—a moniker previously associated with a luxury car brand that the company had absorbed. This strategic decision marked a significant pivot from the company's traditional model lineup.

The initial version of the Lagonda, released in 1974, was essentially an elongated version of the Aston Martin V8, sporting distinctive styling cues from the era, yet retaining classic features such as round headlights and a curvaceous body.

The 1976 Lagonda: A Technological Marvel

By 1976, Aston Martin was ready to unveil a completely reimagined Lagonda. The new design was heavily influenced by the 'flying wedge' aesthetic, a trend popularized by Marcello Gandini's work on the 1974 Lamborghini Countach. The Lagonda boasted futuristic elements like pop-up headlights, touch-sensitive controls, and a pioneering digital instrument panel—the first of its kind in the automotive industry.

However, the investment in cutting-edge technology meant that other aspects of the vehicle, such as the carbureted V8 engine and the three-speed automatic transmission sourced from Chrysler, received less attention. Despite these shortcomings, Aston Martin banked on the Lagonda's striking design to captivate potential buyers.

Criticism and Controversy: The Lagonda's Rocky Reception

The Lagonda's avant-garde design was not without its detractors. Bloomberg Businessweek included the Series 2 Lagonda in its list of the '50 ugliest cars of the past 50 years,' while Time magazine went a step further, branding the vehicle as one of the '50 Worst Cars of All Time.' The magazine particularly highlighted the Lagonda's unreliable electronics, which, despite their innovative nature, often malfunctioned.

Given these issues, the Lagonda was not ideally suited for everyday use, and Aston Martin eventually scaled back some of its more ambitious features by 1980. Nevertheless, the Lagonda has secured its place in automotive history as one of Aston Martin's most distinctive creations.

The Lagonda Today: A Collector's Dream

Decades after its tumultuous debut, the Lagonda is experiencing a renaissance among collectors who appreciate its unique place in automotive lore. A fully restored 1983 model recently fetched $111,000 at auction, a testament to its growing desirability. This particular vehicle, resplendent in black, featured an upgraded engine and LED dashboard, making it one of the most desirable iterations of this radical classic.

As the Lagonda continues to garner admiration, it serves as a reminder of Aston Martin's willingness to push the boundaries of design and technology, a trait that continues to define the brand's storied heritage.