I'm happy to report that our client Tom Griffith of Madison, Wisconsin scored the prestigious Amelia Award for European Custom Coachwork at last week's Amelia Island Concours with his freshly retrimmed 1936 Lagonda LG45 Drophead Coupe.
Olympian Cars handled the transaction from the prior owner in July of last year whereupon Tom immediately set about to freshen "Lady Lagonda" to concours standards. This included a full repaint from two-tone cream and brown to a dazzling Dominion blue, and dying the saddle interior to an elegant burgundy.
Tom's report as follows:
After purchase, I acquired the factory build sheet which indicated the car was originally Dominion Blue and that it was a truly matching numbers, unaltered LG45. I was so happy it was as represented: the real deal.
The restoration process started in December by dismantling and sanding he body panels, and taping in preparation for the body shop. Those three intense weeks of labor probably saved me $15,000! After four weeks at the shop, the chrome work was finished and the car was ready for four coats of single-stage paint. The 2000/3000/5000 grit post-paint buffing took ten days and gave the car a mirror finish. Since all the upholstery had been removed, it was time to re-dye the leather to a rich burgundy to complement the new Dominion Blue and the like-new convertible top. That I was prepping the car for its debut at Amelia Island March 11, there was no time to spare once the car returned home for assembly. I finished Lady Lagonda literally the day before the truck arrived en route to Florida.
At Amelia, my freshly trimmed Lagonda took a class trophy, tying with a Bugatti in what is arguably the most difficult class to win: European Custom Coachwork. It was a proud moment and definitely worth my long days and nights getting ‘Lady Lagonda’ ready for her unveiling!
Congratulations to Tom and his remarkable efforts. What's next... Pebble Beach?!