Lot details Registration No: AJF208B Chassis No: LR/133/R Mot Expiry: Sept 2006
Something of a pet project for Aston Martin Lagonda chairman David Brown, the four-door Rapide was launched at the 1961 Earls Court Motor Show. Styled by Touring of Milan, it was available to special order only. Intended to appeal to those who would otherwise be contemplating a Bentley Continental, a price tag of £4,950 ensured its exclusivity. Equipped with servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, the Lagonda's advanced chassis also boasted a torsion bar suspended De Dion rear axle (later adopted for the DBS / V8 models) and a 3,995cc dohc straight-six engine (soon to be borrowed by the DB5). In production for just three years, a mere 55 Rapides are thought to have been despatched by the works.
Finished in blue with magnolia leather upholstery, this particular right-hand drive example is described by the vendor as being in very good (chassis, engine, automatic gearbox, electrical equipment, wheels / tyres) to excellent (interior trim, paintwork, bodywork) condition. Reportedly commissioned in October 1963 prior to being registered on 8th April 1964, chassis LR/133/R (no.33) is understood to have had four owners and covered only 48,300 miles from new. Acquired by its present custodian from a "well known Dallas, Texas collector" in 1989, it is reputed to benefit from "full service history". Initially looked after by the factory "whose service log shows that the mileage was 31,743 in 1970", it was subsequently "overhauled by RS Williams Ltd" prior to being "maintained by Import Service & Restoration of Marietta, Georgia, USA". Accompanied by a Texas Certificate of Title that records its mileage as 43,443 in 1984, it has covered 5,000 miles in the last twenty-one years. Treated to a bare metal respray by Solent Vintage Engineering of Lymington in 1996, the past two years have seen it fettled by marque specialists Davron of Salisbury. As well as having its front suspension rebuilt with new springs and shock absorbers, it has also had its water pump, propshaft, fuel system and ignition overhauled. Gaining twin servos (as used on the V8 models) as part of a brake system refurbishment, it currently sups fuel via a DB4 set of twin SU carburettors (though, original rejuvenated sidedraught Solex units come with the car). Sitting on new mounts, its straight-six is stated to have achieved the following results during a compression test (1=170psi, 2=170psi, 3=170psi, 4=160psi, 5=165psi, 6=170psi). Shod with Avon radials that have covered all of 500 miles, this very rare Lagonda is offered for sale with history file and MOT certificate current until August 2006.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until September 2006 and not August 2006 as stated in the catalogue,
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