1934 Lagonda Rapier Sports Tourer

Description

With a history dating back to 1906, the Lagonda company initially built light cars before the Great War then branched into larger sports car production in the 1920s, using proprietory engines from Crossley and later Meadows. The company went into receivership in 1935 and the new owner Alan P. Good persuaded W.O. Bentley to join as designer, taking Lagonda further upmarket. Around this period Lagonda enjoyed great success on the track and is perhaps best remembered for the famous victory in the 1935 Le Mans 24-Hours with the M45. Lagonda's Rapier was an advanced light car introduced in 1934, designed by Tim Ashcroft and first seen at the 1933 Olympia Motor Show. Powered by a twin-overhead camshaft four-cylinder motor of just 1,104cc, the Rapier's free-revving engine was fed via twin SU carburettors and developed a healthy 45 bhp, driving the rear wheels via an ENV four-speed pre-selector gearbox. With 13-inch diameter Girling brakes and a strong chassis, the Rapier proved an excellent performer and was capable of reaching a top speed of around 75 mph. The majority of Rapiers were bodied by coachbuilders E.D. Abbott of Farnham, Surrey, most as either four-seat tourers or fixed-head coupes, with the more complex not to mention expensive, drophead coupes relatively rare. It is believed just under 400 Rapiers were built in total and of these around 300 are accounted for today. Until recently, performing a total restoration on a derelict Rapier hasn't been cost effective and thanks to their excellent performance, a large number have become specials, destined for racing with the VSCC. As a result, finding an original-bodied example gets harder every year. According to the Australian Secretary of the Rapier Register, who provided much of the information for this lot, there are 14 known Rapiers surviving in Australia today and of these five are regularly exercised in club events. The UK Rapier Register provides excellent technical support and spare parts are readily available.