1962 Lagonda Rapide

Lot details
Registration No: 4878 VC
Chassis No: LR/107/R
Mot Expiry: Aug 2003

Gear manufacturing and tractor tycoon David Brown, who had just taken over Aston Martin in 1957, also added Lagonda to his portfolio for £52,000. Having formed Aston Martin Lagonda, he then shut down Lagonda's Staines works, combining Lagonda with Aston production at Feltham, although in 1957 both marques moved again to Newport Pagnell.
The 1961-introduced Lagonda Rapide employed elegant Superleggera Touring-styled bodywork in aluminium on a lengthened chassis, DB4 engine enlarged to 3995cc (later to power DB5s), dual-circuit disc brakes all round and De Dion rear axle. Only 55 Rapides were handbuilt before production ceased in 1964.
This beautiful example of what is therefore an extremely rare sporting saloon was originally UK registered with the period plates it carries today, the registration happily reinstated when re-imported from the US in 1989. In the intermediate years, it had resided in Malaya whilst in the ownership of the Sultan of Selangor, the Malaysian logbook from that time being on file. Later, it changed hands at auction Stateside.
Back home again, LR/107/R has been owned by a Grimsby enthusiast and, most recently, by a London Doctor, who tells us that the 4-door coachwork was last restored in 1999 to concours standard in original-spec Ming Blue with magnolia leather, paint and interior reportedly still being in good condition. Both 4-litre six and 3-speed auto-shift transmission are also said to be in good order. Great car, nice Far Eastern history and righthand drive too.