1963 Lagonda Rapide

Lot details
Registration No: 897 GXO
Chassis No: LR147R
Mot Expiry: Feb 2004

Aston Martin owner David Brown funded the 1961 introduction of the Lagonda Rapide, employing Superleggera Touring styled 4-door saloon bodywork in aluminium on a lengthened DB4 chassis, DB4 engine enlarged to 3995cc which would later be used in the DB5, dual-circuit disc brakes all round and Dion rear axle. Only 55 were handmade before production was halted in 1964.
The Staffordshire owner of the 1963-built Rapide on offer tells us that his sports saloon is rare, being the only known example to have been returned to Aston's Newport Pagnell factory in 1967 for works conversion from automatic transmission to the ZF 5-speed manual gearbox currently fitted.
The 52,771 mileage indicated when entered for this sale is reckoned to be the genuine total since new, confirmed by the documentation in the history file which includes workshop manual. The bodywork, painted in Aegean blue, and blue leather interior are both said to be in as new condition, the instrumentation and Motorola push-button radio all being period-correct too.
Despite not being in need of any remedial work, the 4-litre 6-cylinder engine has been removed from the car, stripped down and refurbished. The original underbonnet area underseal was stripped off and. at the same time that the bodywork was repainted, the engine bay was finished in body colour. The owner tells us that the disc brakes have been overhauled, and pads, tyres including spare and carpets have all been renewed.