The Story of the V12

For those who are unfamiliar with this astonishing piece of British engineering, it was actually inspired by W O Bentley. Its massive stance, with an engine producing immense torque, was just like the famous racing Bentleys. Bentley had been tied to Rolls-Royce since the takeover of his company in 1931. However, in 1935 he was released and worked with Lagonda at Staines, in Middlesex. Lagondas of the early 1930s were fitted with massive Meadows six-cylinder engines, but Bentley and his team developed a new chassis and then, with much input from the great Stewart Tresilian, designed a superb new 4.5-litre V12. Displayed at the Olympia Motor Show of 1936, production units were not delivered until 1938. It was only the second British V12 to go on sale, the other being the Rolls-Royce Phantom III. In Europe, Hispano-Suiza also had such a power unit. The Lagonda V12 had an overhead-camshaft and just about two of everything, including SU carburettors, electrical coils and fuel pumps. The Bentley-inspired engine was an incredibly smooth unit which turned out 180bhp and was the most powerful of all pre-war British engines. The V12 came in saloon, drop-head coupé, limousine, and tourer and each one was hand-built. By the start of the Second World War a total of 189 has been built. Proving its effectiveness and efficiency, the engine sailed ahead to power light naval craft, but the sad part of the story is that it was not revived after the war. A great shame because here was a power unit that ranked alongside the best that Rolls-Royce and Bentley could turn out. The V12 was expensive - from £1,550 in 1938. Its desirability today is reflected in the astonishing price it fetched at auction. With thanks to Ian Johnson, The Evening Chronicle for providing the above eloquent introduction.