Lot details
Registration: WS 3060
Chassis: D10638
Odometer: 001000
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt
- In the same family ownership for the past 37 years
- 4-cylinder 1104cc, chain driven, twin overhead camshafts, twin SU carburettors and pump assisted cooling with thermostat
- ENV75 pre-selector gearbox
- Warwick-Wright Special two seater, replacement Eagle body
- Aluminium panels over ash frame, trimmed in hide with Wilton carpet
- Price when new: Chassis - £270, with body - £375
- Photographic evidence of comprehensive restoration in the early 90s
- Offered with a large history file dating back to 1989 - including details of bodywork restoration, paintwork and trim
- Still retains the original registration number ‘WS 3060’
Introduced at the 1933 Olympia Motor Show, the Lagonda Rapier was intended to capitalise on the growing market for small capacity sports cars, like Riley, Singer, and MG. 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 quoted 50bhp at 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. Newnes. 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.
This gorgeous 1935 Lagonda Rapier 1104cc started life as an Abbott Fixed Head Coupe, now rebodied with a replica Eagle body finished in Blue with a Cream leather interior, and in the same family ownership for the past 37 years. This particular example was frequently rallied in many parts of the British Isles and Europe, such as in Les Vosges, a mountainous region of eastern France, where it took part in January 2011 in challenging snowy conditions. Supplied with a comprehensive history file, comprising of an array of useful instruction manuals, invoices detailing its restoration in the early 1990s, with photographic evidence.
This lovely pre-war Lagonda really has to be seen in person to be appreciated.
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