There was a very special item on the list of cars coming to the Silverstone Auctions’ Restoration Show Sale at the NEC, Birmingham this weekend, but it was snapped up by a sharp buyer before it goes under the hammer. The car in question is a barn-find 1939 Lagonda V12 Hooper two door saloon in original condition.

The pre-war Lagonda V12 was expected to fetch between £75,000 and £100,000, but the auction house gave in to a six-figure pre-auction deal. The car is reportedly going under a thorough restoration to gain its former glory.

This 1939 Lagonda V12 Hooper was built for the wife of the owner of Hooper Bodies Ltd, a renowned coachbuilder of the era. At the outbreak of World War II, the car was placed into storage before being sold to a Mr Harry Ellard in 1952. It changed hands again in 1984 and stayed with another owner until 2001. For the past 13 years though it’s been in storage, maturing like a fine wine, and increasing in value.

Managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to generate so much interest in a car prior to the auction and is testament to the quality and uniqueness of cars that we offer buyers. Clearly the car was in high demand and so the successful buyer did not want to risk missing out on such a magnificent example.”