This One-Off Aston Martin Is Gloriously The Wedgiest Wagon On Four Wheels
Most shooting brakes look like an afterthought—a hurried roofline grafted onto a grand tourer to make room for golf clubs. This 1987 Aston Martin Lagonda is not that. It is a wedge, sharpened to a knife’s edge, stretched into a wagon shape that defies every convention of what a “practical” luxury car should be. And now, it’s heading to auction with a price tag north of $430,000.
The Wedge That Refused To Die
The Aston Martin Lagonda was already a polarizing machine when it debuted in 1976. Designed by William Towns, its razor-sharp, origami-like bodywork looked like nothing else on the road—a spaceship that happened to have four doors and a V8. But by the late 1980s, the Lagonda’s futuristic styling was aging into something else entirely: a collector’s oddity with a loyal cult following.
Enter the shooting brake conversion. Commissioned by a Swiss enthusiast and executed by a specialist workshop, this one-off transformation extended the Lagonda’s roofline into a full wagon profile. The result is simultaneously absurd and magnificent. The wedge didn’t soften with the extra length; it became more extreme. The rear end drops off like a cliff, the tailgate is nearly vertical, and the overall silhouette is unmistakably—gloriously—the wedgiest wagon ever built.
Key Takeaway: This isn’t a factory prototype or a concept car. It’s a bespoke conversion from the late 1980s, commissioned by a private owner who looked at the Lagonda’s angular lines and thought, “Yes, but what if it had more cargo space?”
What Makes This Lagonda Shooting Brake Special
This isn’t just a chopped roof and a longer greenhouse. The conversion required significant structural work to preserve the Lagonda’s integrity while adding the wagon body. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Hand-formed aluminum panels extending the rear bodywork, seamlessly blending with the original design language
- A near-vertical tailgate that amplifies the wedge aesthetic while offering genuine utility
- Preserved original mechanicals, including the 5.3-liter V8 that produces around 280 horsepower—modest by modern standards, but plenty for a car that weighs under 4,000 pounds
- The iconic digital instrument cluster, a revolutionary feature in the 1980s that still looks futuristic today
The car has been maintained to a high standard, with records documenting its care through the decades. It’s not a trailer queen, but it’s also not a daily driver—it’s a piece of automotive art that happens to be road-legal.
The Auction: What To Expect
The car will cross the auction block with an estimated value exceeding $430,000. That figure places it firmly in collector territory, but it’s worth asking: is this a smart investment or a passion purchase?
Let’s break it down:
| Factor | Impact on Value |
|---|---|
| One-off status | No other example exists—pricing is purely speculative |
| Provenance | Swiss commission with documented history adds credibility |
| Condition | Well-maintained original mechanicals, quality bodywork |
| Market trends | 1980s wedge-era cars are gaining collector interest |
| Practicality | Shooting brake format appeals to enthusiasts who want usability |
The $430K estimate is ambitious, but one-off Aston Martins with strong provenance have surprised at auction before. The Lagonda’s polarizing design works in its favor—it generates headlines, which generates bidding wars.
The Wedge Era: Why We Still Care
The 1980s wedge design language was a brief, glorious moment in automotive history. Designers like William Towns and Giorgetto Giugiaro threw convention aside, replacing curves with planes and angles. The Lagonda was the most extreme production example, and this shooting brake takes that extremity to its logical conclusion.
- The wedge aesthetic prioritized visual drama over aerodynamics
- Digital dashboards replaced analog gauges, sometimes with questionable reliability
- Low-volume production made these cars rare from day one
- Modern collectors are rediscovering the boldness of 1980s design
This Lagonda shooting brake isn’t just a car—it’s a time capsule of an era when automakers took risks. It’s a reminder that “practical” doesn’t have to mean “boring.”
Should You Bid?
If you have $430,000 burning a hole in your pocket and you want the most distinctive wagon ever built, this is your only option. There is no Plan B. There is no “similar alternative.” This is it.
The Bottom Line: This one-off Aston Martin Lagonda Shooting Brake is the definitive wedge-era collector car. It’s impractical, polarizing, and utterly unforgettable—exactly what a great collector car should be.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the Lagonda Shooting Brake?
The 5.3-liter V8 produces roughly 280 horsepower, good for a top speed around 145 mph. It’s not quick by modern standards, but the experience is about presence, not pace.
Is the shooting brake conversion reversible?
No. The bodywork is fully integrated, and reversing the conversion would require substantial fabrication. This car is a permanent wagon.
How many Lagonda Shooting Brakes were built?
Just this one. It’s a true one-off, commissioned specifically by a Swiss client in the late 1980s.
Why is it expected to sell for over $430,000?
One-off Aston Martins with documented provenance and distinctive design command premium prices. The wedge-era Lagonda is already collectible; the shooting brake format makes it unique in the world.
The hammer falls soon. Whoever wins this auction isn’t just buying a car—they’re buying the sharpest, most defiant wagon ever built. And honestly, that’s worth every penny.
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