Aston Martin Lagonda. 1978–90 (prod. 645). 4-door saloon. F/R, 5340 cm³ (V8 DOHC). Four-door supercar, designed by William Towns, considered futuristic at time of launch with its folded-paper style, pop-up headlights and revolutionary LED digital dashboard. Computer and digital instruments proved unreliable, as were pop-up headlights. Announced 1976, but glitches delayed actual launch to 1978. Price when new at £33,000. Later instruments used cathode-ray tubes, which were also unreliable; ultimate version had fluorescent displays. Fuel injection in 1985. Facelift in 1987, also by Towns, attempted to smooth out the car’s lines and removed pop-up headlights. Thirty per cent of sales went to Middle East. ‘Aston Martin’ badge replaced by ‘Lagonda’ in 1980s, but cars remained in price lists as Aston Martin.

Manufacturing location: Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, England

Marque: Aston Martin | Model: Aston Martin Lagonda | Predecessor: Aston Martin Lagonda (1974–6) | Successors: Aston Martin Rapide, Lagonda Taraf

Off-site link

• Aston Martin Owners’ Club: Aston Martin Lagonda