DP2138 was based on a platform from within the Ford empire and powered by a V12, for arguments sake, let’s say Jaguar XJ12. But the coachwork and interior was solely the work of the Newport Pagnell factory – no-one else in the world at the time could have produced such a fine automobile. Apart from the styling, this car in fact has mechanically little in common with the 1993 concept.

Once it was decided that the project was not going to progress any further,  the Service Department did some work for the new owner, a collector in the Far East, prior to it being delivered.

What stopped this fabulous project? A focus within AML on the DB7 perhaps or the fact that the Lagonda marque was so little known outside of the UK. Whatever, I still think it’s even better looking than the DB9 based Rapide and represents, at least to me as the right car at the wrong time. It is certainly regarded as one of the best things ever made at Newport Pagnell and a missed opportunity.

These photographs, unseen and unpublished for many years have been provided with the kind assistance of a friend of mine at AML.

All photographs are copyright Aston Martin Lagonda