1938 Rapier Ten Tourer

Registration No: EYX2
Chassis No: 11486
MOT: Exempt

• Lagonda's diminutive masterpiece
• 1 of just 46 chassis built by Rapier Cars
• The subject of much past restoration work and a recent engine overhaul
• Fettled by Martin Greaves of Classic Performance Engineering in September 2019 at a cost of £3,500
• Subtly enhanced with a Kenlowe fan, tubular exhaust manifold and discrete LED flashing indicators
• Jewel like 1.1 litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, four-speed pre-selector transmission and beautifully proportioned coachwork

First registered by London County Council on September 19^th 1938 (or so its ‘EYX 2’ number plate would imply), chassis 11486 dates from the final year of Rapier Cars production. Understood to have acquired its current Abbot four-seater tourer coachwork during a 1990s restoration, more recent work has seen the car treated to a partial engine overhaul by DC Rogers Auto Repairs (including new Omega 63.5mm pistons), refurbished dynamo and fresh Blockley triple stud tyres all round. Entering the current ownership last year for the princely sum of £60,480, the Rapier was promptly despatched to Martin Greaves of Classic Performance Engineering for a thorough service and debugging. Improvements were made to the fuel, brake and electrical systems with the corresponding invoice totalling £3,541.32. A further £521.64 was spent with Northants Auto Parts & Service Ltd adding discreet LED flashing indicators.

Finished in Black with Green leather upholstery, ‘EYX 2’ started readily upon inspection and ran well whilst being driven to the photography location. Looking like a scaled-down Lagonda M45, the coachwork is beautifully proportioned. Pleasing details abound including the original Rapier radiator badge, Smiths 100mph speedometer, exposed gate for the four-speed pre-selector transmission, Sunburst pattern door cards and restored Rudge Whitworth wire wheels (complete with reproduction decals). Under the bonnet, the twin SU carburettors are complimented by a tubular exhaust manifold and Kenlowe fan. Worthy of close inspection, this elegant Rapier is only being offered for sale because the vendor wants something more substantial for Continental touring. Accompanying paperwork comprises a V5C Registration Document, copy instruction book, several Rapier Register magazines and assorted bills / invoices.

Model Background:

Introduced at the 1933 Olympia Motor Show, the Lagonda Rapier was intended to capitalise on the growing market for small capacity sports cars. Although based around a conventional ladder-frame chassis complete with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel Girling 13-inch drum brakes, the newcomer boasted a highly advanced engine. The work of consultant Thomas 'Tim' Ashcroft, the 1104cc four-cylinder unit utilised twin overhead camshafts to produce a class-leading 50bhp @ 5,400rpm. Praised by the contemporary motoring press for its performance, refinement and agility, the model was supplied in bare chassis guise only and bodied via the likes of E.D. Abbott, John Charles, Maltby and E.J. Newns. Prohibitively expensive to manufacture, the Rapier was dropped when the Staines firm went into administration during 1935. Convinced that the reborn Lagonda (LG Motors Ltd) had made a mistake, Tim Ashcroft, William Oates and Nevil Brockelbank secured the rights to the small capacity sports car shortly thereafter. Operating as Rapier Cars Ltd of Hammersmith they contributed a further 46 cars to the total production tally of 470 before closing their doors in 1938.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737