1963 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide

Registration No: 1077 PP
Chassis No: LR/153/R
MOT: Exempt

• The 53rd of only 55 Rapides made
• Originally supplied in Aegean Blue to Hawker Siddeley Ltd.
• Four owners since 1975
• Overhauled 2013-15, including engine rebuild, respray in Dubonnet Red and interior renovation, and documented in Classic & Sports Car

By the late 1940s, two of the greatest names in pre-war performance motoring, Aston Martin and Lagonda, were struggling financially. On the other hand, a gear-maker who had recently branched into tractor production was enjoying mounting profits. So it went that David Brown bought the struggling marques in 1947, uniting them as companions, with Aston Martin offering performance cars with a measure of luxury, and Lagonda making luxury cars with a measure of performance. Although the Lagonda name was dropped after 1958, it would go on to be revived every time a saloon car was planned based on Aston Martin mechanicals. The first of these was the Lagonda Rapide, produced from 1961 to January, 1964, which used DB4 underpinnings, but with the 3995cc version of the twin-cam straight-six which would later power the DB5. As would be expected, it had a sophisticated specification, including dual-circuit, servo-assisted four-wheel disc brakes and a Borg-Warner three-speed automatic transmission. The styling by Touring of Milan was the last word in Italianate elegance and, like the DB4, it employed the carrozzeria’s famous Superleggera tubular construction method. Brisk, beautiful and exclusive – just 55 were built – the Rapide was the epitome of the early 1960s ‘gentleman’s express’.

Delivered on 19th December, 1963, through the agent Brooklands of Eton, and originally finished in Aegean Blue with a Fawn interior, '1077 PP' was purchased new in the name of aircraft constructor Hawker-Siddeley Ltd. of Richmond Road, Kingston, Surrey. The build sheet indicates that it was fitted with a Motorola radio as an extra. The history then picks up on 13th November, 1974, when it entered the ownership of Sanders & Co. (Motor Engineers) Ltd. of Victoria Road, Hendon, Middlesex, and on 24th September, 1975, it passed to Mr. Nicholas Channing of Cranleigh, Surrey. He retained the car until 1984, and the next owner, Mr. Robert McNab of Kensington, looked after it until 2003. By 2014, it had come into the hands of respected classic-car journalist Martin Buckley, who documented the maintenance it received during his custody in the pages of Classic & Sports Car.

Maintenance was undertaken during the 2000s, with the rear wheel bearings replaced in 2005, and the steering rack and carburettors rebuilt in 2006. Also around this time, leading classic automatic specialist Graham Whitehouse Autos converted the Rapide from its original Borg-Warner three-speed to a more modern ZF four-speed automatic, but the Lagonda was taken off the road in 2010. By 2013, the pretty Aegean Blue body was succumbing to corrosion in various places, so the decision was taken to put the car through a comprehensive, photographically-documented renovation which included an engine rebuild, a brake overhaul, the necessary bodywork repairs and a bare-metal respray in Dubonnet Red. The work also included new glass, new chrome, engine bay detailing, electric window repairs, and interior refurbishment extending to a new headlining copied from the original, new carpets in Fawn lambswool with Stone edging, and repairs to the cracked dashboard and wood-rimmed steering wheel. As the original leather was in good order, it was left alone save for some attentive recolouring. Notes on file indicate that the cost of the restoration came to £112,569, with £71,353 spent with Cotswold Classic Car Restorations.

The Rapide went back on the road in 2015, and notably received some further attention to the brakes and suspension during 2016 by Desmond J. Smail, and in 2019 the gearbox and torque converter were comprehensively overhauled by Graham Whitehouse Autos for a total cost £5,482. Most recently, Braydon Elite undertook the refurbishment of the fuel system in early 2021, which included the removal and cleaning of the twin fuel tanks, the replacement of the fuel lines and the rebuild of the fuel pump, for a total of £975.

It was sold to the present owner in late 2021 but has subsequently seen very little use. As far as its present condition goes, '1077 PP’s' 10-year-old overhaul has lasted very well, though a few very minor cosmetic imperfections are apparent under close inspection, including some small bubbles appearing near the rear arches. The interior still presents extremely nicely, with the re-Connolised original seats a particular highlight. Despite its short hibernation, the Rapide has just gone undergone a very thorough service by a marque specialist, so it should be ready for the next owner to enjoy immediately.

Prospective bidders will be pleased to see that '1077 PP' comes with a vast collection of invoices running back to 1984, plus assorted MoT certificates also traceable to 1984. Copies of the factory build sheet and early service history are included, plus three original sales brochures and the 1970s green logbook, although bidders should be aware that the last V5C was issued in 2017. This Lagonda is an exceptional car with an exceptional history, and thoroughly deserves a new lease of life back on the road.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430