Lagonda Series 3
Lagonda Series 3

Lagonda Series 3

(Series 3, efi) (1985 - 1987)

Along with the V8 coupe and Volante, in January 1985, the Lagonda received the Fuel Injected engine with the electronically controlled sequential system, made by Weber/Marelli . The engine number suffix became V/585 and is both cleaner and more fuel efficient than the carburettors equipped car.

Lagonda Series 3

Externally, the series 3 cars are virtually identical to the later series 2 cars; the only difference that I can see is a side repeater flasher ahead of the front wheel. Earlier fuel injected cars have the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) instruments, later cars have a Vacuum Florescent (VF) system similar to that used by some Vauxhalls and Opels. With a very short production run until the launch of the face lifted series 4 car, only 75 series 3 fuel injected cars were made – probably the most desirable example of the Lagonda in it’s original form.

The example below is a little unusual though not unique, as all the brightwork is gilded –  the gold is certainly an acquired taste. This photograph also illustrates the solid disc design alloy wheel design seen on late series 2 and all series 3 or facelift Lagonda.

Aston Martin Lagondas from the Dudding Collection shown at the 2015 AMOC Spring Concours

Aston Martin Lagondas from the Dudding Collection shown at the 2015 AMOC Spring Concours

For more information and advice about Lagonda’s – please visit LagondaNet

  • Body/Coachwork:
    • 4 door, 4 seater saloon
    • Steel platform chassis with handcrafted aluminium alloy body panels
    • Four pop-up halogen headlamps powered by electric motors
    • Front Fog and spot lamps, indicator and parking lamps enclosed behind electrically heated glass panels
  • Interior:
    • Full Connolly leather interior
    • Three 5 inch CRT screens with verbal warnings, then Vacuum-flourescent integrated instrument pack
    • Full air conditioning to front, seporatly controlled cool air conditioning to rear
    • Power window lifts, and front seat controls
    • Fixed glass panel to rear compartment roof
    • Blaupunkt Bamberg stereo radio cassette, four speakers, with roof mounted aerial
  • Engine:
    • Front mounted all-alloy 90° V8, 5,340 cc, two-valves-per cylinder, twin overhead camshafts per bank.
    • Engine number prefix V585/
    • Bore 100 mm. Stroke 85 mm. Compression ratio 9.35 : 1, 8.0 : 1 (Emission Control LFA)
    • Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection
    • Maximum power: 289 bhp @ 5,500 rpm (200 +/- bhp on Emission Control LFA engine)
    • Maximum torque: 321 lb.ft @ 3,000 rpm
    • Air Injection System: AC Delco air pump
    • Four catalytic convertors on Emission Control LFA engine
  • Transmission:
    • Automatic: Chrysler Torqueflite 3 speed automatic, no manual option
    • Cruise control as standard
    • Final drive: Salisbury hypoid bevel with Powr-Lok limited slip differential. Final drive ratio: 3.058 : 1, 3.54 : 1 for LFA cars
  • Steering:
    • Power assisted rack and pinion, 2 turns lock to lock
    • Turning circle 11.58m
  • Wheels and tyres:
    • Bolt-on, alloy 7 x 15H2 ‘Centra’ wheels
    • Avon Turbospeed 235/70 VR15 tyres
  • Suspension:
    • Front: Independent, featuring unequal transverse wishbones, coil springs and co-axial telescopic shock absorbers with an anti-roll bar
    • Rear: De-Dion tube, Watts linkage and trailing links. Self-lebelling by pressuried co-axial spring shock absorber units
  • Brakes:
    • Front: Ventilated steel discs, 273 mm diameter
    • Rear: Ventilated steel discs, 264 mm diameter Tandem master cylinders with integral servo
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 5,283 mm
    • Width: 1,816 mm
    • Height: 1,302 mm
    • Kerb Weight: 2,096 kg
    • Wheelbase: 2,916 mm
    • Front track: 1,499 mm
    • Rear track: 1,499 mm
    • Fuel tank capacity: 127.3 litres
    • Boot capacity: 13 cu.ft
  • Performance:
    • No known road tests but not disimilar to V580 Lagonda
  • Price at launch:
    • January 1986: £79,500. ($167,000 USA)
    • October 1986: £85,000