Lagonda M45
The M45 is a tourer originally manufactured by the British automaker Lagonda from 1934 to 1935. A variation of the vehicle, the M45R Rapide, served as a racecar during the year of its production.
History[]
The Lagonda M45 production car was first revealed to the public at the London Motor Show in 1934. A race-modified variant, the M45R Rapide, was introduced a year later in 1935. British racecar drivers Johnny Hindmarsh and Luis Fontés won the 1935 24 Hours of Le Mans in an M45R Rapide, driving a total of 1868.24 miles at an average speed of 77.85 mph. However, this victory was not met with increased sales of the M45, and marketing of the vehicle ceased during the second year of its production. In total, only 410 M45 production cars and 53 M45R Rapides were built.
Some famous individuals, including English motorist Malcolm Campbell and fiction author Leslie Charteris owned M45s.
Engine and transmission[]
The Lagonda M45 was fitted with a 4.5 litre 4467cc OHV 6-cylinder Meadows engine.