From our Garage to the Green: The Journey of a 1954 Lagonda V12
- Fiori + Mare
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
Last August, our property became a behind-the-scenes haven for three truly extraordinary machines: two 1954 Lagonda V12s and a 1955 Aston Martin DB3S. Flown in from the United Kingdom for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, these vehicles arrived with quiet grandeur—and transformed our space into something rare and unforgettable.
For one magical week, our garage held more than just cars. It held living history. These weren’t just vintage showpieces—they were works of art, race-proven legends, and personal obsessions brought across the ocean to be celebrated on one of the most prestigious lawns in the world.
The care they received while with us was remarkable. Each day, we watched as the team worked on the finishing touches and fine-tuned—always with precision, never in haste. But what stood out most wasn’t the value of the cars—it was the men who came with them.
The UK-based team, Benjamin & Thorpe - founder Julian Reichman, Charlie Briggs and Alex Wood, were the heart of the operation. Over the course of the week, my husband and I came to feel like we were hosting friends. They were gracious, thoughtful, and had the kind of sense of humor that makes you feel like you've known them for years. But more than anything, they were completely, almost reverently, devoted to the vehicles in their care.
These three men didn’t just restore cars—they had relationships with them. You could see it in the way they moved around the cars, spoke about
them, and especially in the way they felt the aliveness of the machines.
They adored driving them. They took deep pride in every detail of the restoration. It was clear these cars weren’t just part of their job—they were part of their hearts.
As if just seeing these vehicles wasn't magical enough, the team invited me to join them when they delivered the cars to the International Tent before the Concours. Driving behind these classics, watching them fly down the highway was something else! There is something special about hearing the sound of the engines, and watching these rare vehicles in motion!
We were some of the first cars to arrive at the International tent, but there were a few amazing vehicles already parked. Standing among these breathtaking classics, was something I’ll never forget. Being welcomed into that part of the process—normally reserved for insiders and experts—was both humbling and exhilarating.
To make the week even more surreal, my husband and I were invited to attend Concours with the team and photograph the cars using Julian's Leica M11P camera. All three vehicles were stunning. But I’ll admit, my personal favorite was the silver Aston Martin DB3S—elegant and utterly captivating in its simplicity. There was something about the way it caught the morning light that made it impossible not to stop and stare.
And yet, it was one of the Lagondas that would go on to steal the spotlight.
After leaving our garage, the three cars participated in the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, a 70-mile coastal drive where the cars aren’t just displayed—they’re driven. The 1954 Lagonda V12 (Chassis DP115/2) didn’t just glide down Highway 1 with grace and poise—it was honored with the “Elegance in Motion” award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Standing on the green at Pebble Beach beside these vehicles, after having spent the week watching them come to life in our own garage, felt like a storybook ending. And then came the moment I never expected: Julian offered me a ride in one of the Lagondas.
There are no words to capture the sound, the feel, the sensation of being inside that car as it rolled along the roads of Monterey. It was like time travel. To ride in something so rare, so lovingly restored, and so full of life—that was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I was grinning for hours.
Some of my favorite memories were the quietest ones—bringing Julian, Alex, and Charlie their morning coffee as they arrived to start their work. My husband offering to host a BBQ for the team. There was something grounding and sweet about those early hours—just us, the cars, and the hum of a new day beginning. When it was time for them to fly back to England, I’ll admit—my husband and I both felt a little sad. The garage felt too quiet without them.
That’s what makes Monterey Car Week so extraordinary. Yes, it’s about the shine and spectacle of Pebble Beach. But it’s also about what happens behind closed garage doors: the early mornings, the final touches, the shared excitement, and the friendships that form along the way.
We’re honored to have played even a small role in that story—and we’ll carry the memory of Julian, Charlie, Alex, and the three incredible cars with us for a long time to come.
