Lot 134: 1963 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide Saloon

Aston Martin revived the Lagonda name in 1961 with the luxurious Rapide four-door saloon. Beneath the Superleggera aluminium coachwork by Touring of Milan was a lengthened DB4 chassis re-configured to accept De Dion rear suspension, the adoption of which allowed rear compartment space to be maximised. Powered by a 4-litre (236bhp) version of the DB4's twin-cam six that would later power the DB5, the Rapide certainly lived up to its name with brisk acceleration and a 130mph-plus top speed. Dual circuit, servo assisted disc brakes restrained this excellent performance. Interior fittings included electric windows, picnic tables to the rear, remote-opening filler cap and radio as standard. Just 55 units, almost all of which were equipped with Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission, were built before production ceased in 1964. This example was bought directly from its first owner by the vendor’s father in 1967, at which time the recorded mileage stood at circa 29,000. The car was driven extensively during the 1970s by the vendor, including trips abroad and the AMOC sprint at Goodwood. Its entry in the AMOC Register records previous registration marks ‘6 CYE’ (original), ‘APA 789A’ and ’73 MV’, together with the fact that it was first owned by one P R Jeanty, a director of coachbuilders Hooper. The car underwent a bare-metal re-spray in the current Mason’s Black colour in 1974, while the interior leather upholstery is original throughout. The carpets were renewed in 1970 by Aston Martin at the same time as they fitted this car’s ZF five-speed gearbox (invoice available). New door bottoms and a stainless-steel exhaust system were fitted by Aston Workshops in 1998. The currently recorded mileage of 104,948 is warranted as genuine and verified by expired MoTs going back 23 years and numerous invoices and other paperwork dating back to 1970. Described by the private vendor as in generally good condition, with all electric windows working, the car is offered with old-style logbook, current road fund licence, MoT to October 2006 and Swansea V5 registration document.