A visit to Europe’s largest private car collection

On 24th January, the Master along with 34 Liverymen and their guests visited Studio 434 near Potters Bar – which, with more than 650 vehicles on display is reputed to be Europe’s largest private car collection. The highlight is a line-up of no fewer than 25 examples of the Aston Martin Lagonda saloon – the wedge-shaped luxury car designed by William Towns that received accolades and brickbats in roughly equal measures when first launched in 1976.

The collection’s owner Rodger Dudding, who joined us for the visit, admits the Lagonda is something of an obsession – as is his eclectic collection which even though he is now into his 80s, continues to grow. “I buy cars that please me,” he said. “I don’t sell them”.

Our visit to this astonishing collection ended with a fine lunch at the nearby Strafford pub.