Description
For sale, my beautiful Lagonda Rapier….
The Lagonda Rapier was produced from 1934 to 1936 with bodies largely produced by Abbotts. A total of around 450 Lagonda Rapiers were built before the company went bankrupt. Coach builders were used as these were the days when a customer bought the chassis and running gear then selected a coachbuilder to produce the body work as desired. Consequently, this is a rare car with around 69 units known to remain on record. People often think that the Lagonda is an exotic Italian car, because of the name, but it is a British made car, built by a British company in London. Founded by an American opera singer and motorcycle manufacturer called Wilbur Gunn in 1900, the name Lagonda is that of a native American tribe from Ohio.
There were three main body types: the drop head coupe, fixed head coupe & the sports. This particular example was bodied by Abbotts coachbuilders of Farnham Surrey in the drop head coupe form. Sporting the 1100cc twin cam engine which was fully rebuilt in 1995 and was originally designed by Tim Ashcroft, it runs and drives extremely well, benefitting from recent fettling by a local classic car specialist. Coupled to the ENV (Wilson) pre-select gearbox which can take a little time to get used to but produces silent seamless gear changes.
The braking is by mechanical drum brakes which are very efficient, giving great confidence on the road. The hand brake is of the "fly off" type. The steering has recently been tracked and I have made a tool to adjust the toe which works a treat. The body & paintwork present well, the body was sympathetically restored in the early 1990s by long-standing Rapier Club member, Geoff Henderson, who was also a coachbuilder by trade and since then the body has worn, I believe, rather well. The electrical system is 12 volt and negative earth. The same local classic car specialist has been over the underside, chassis and mechanics of the car and reported no significant issues other than the front wheel bearings and kingpin bushes. Both of these issues have now been rectified by them with new kingpin bushes and new front wheel bearings.
The body work shows some wear and tear which could stand attention but should not require, in my opinion, major surgery. As far as I can ascertain all the constructional woodwork is in good condition. The interior of the car is largely original being patched to maintain its integrity. Personally, I like the interior, so have maintained it (as the 1990s restorer did), I just feel it would look wrong if it were new. The seats still retain their original inflatable internal cushions which still work. The hood is again a little worn but is waterproof and works well. The dashboard instruments are original even retaining the rolling oil pressure/ water temperature gauges. Unfortunately, the clock only works intermittently. I have recently had the rev counter refurbished (as it did not work when I got the car mostly due to dirt and old grease build up) and at the same time I fitted a new drive cable. All instruments and switches now work well. Door catches, hood catches, window winders, wipers all work as required.
Some nods to modernity have been added to the car: -
(1) The magneto has been changed for an electronic ignition system for improved reliability, plug leads were changed to carbon core units.
(2) The exhaust manifold has been removed and individual headers installed for efficiency.
(3) All minor lights have been changed for LED units to improve safety from lower current usage and improved brightness.
As the car never came with indicators the rear support unit on the spare wheel carries rear indicator units along with tail and brake lights.
The front side lights now function as indicators and side lights. When the lights are on, the front side lights shine white until the indicators are used when they flash amber. When the lights are off the front side lights flash amber. I have not altered the headlamps or the spotlight due to current legislation confusion. The original electromechanical dipping mechanism works well.
This is a very pretty survivor car, and it is sold with great reluctance due to ill health. The car comes with workshop manuals, history, important information on work done and how to do it. An excellent opportunity for any enthusiast.
The asking price is £45, 000 ONO.
The car is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Viewings are most welcome, and delivery can be arranged at the buyer’s expense.
