Lot 317: Lagonda Rapier Tourer

Lagonda returned, briefly, to the manufacture of light cars in 1934 with the introduction of the Rapier, which was heralded by The Autocar as 'a thoroughly worthwhile newcomer among small sports-type cars'. Tim Ashcroft's design had been on the drawing board for almost a year before it appeared in prototype form at the 1933 Olympia Motor Exhibition. In production from the late spring of 1934, the Rapier was reminiscent of a baby 2-Litre in appearance and was most often seen with four-seat tourer coachwork. The latter was the work of coachbuilder E D Abbott, of Farnham, Surrey, which had secured the Rapier contract from Lagonda. The Rapier's most notable feature was its gem of an engine: a four-cylinder, twin-overhead-camshaft unit displacing 1,104cc and producing 45bhp on twin SUs. A sturdy chassis frame, ENV four-speed pre-selector transmission and 13 diameter Girling brakes completed the mechanical picture. For its engine size the Rapier was in a class of its own, revving comfortably to 5,500rpm, turning in impressive acceleration figures and a top speed of around 75mph. With such a specification the model was necessarily expensive to produce; sales were disappointing and in 1935 manufacturing rights passed to Rapier Cars Limited, of Hammersmith, where production continued for a few more years. A car well known to the Rapier Register, this example has had only two owners since 1959 and was in a very run down condition when purchased by the current vendor in 1996. Restored from 'bottom up' between 2000 and 2002, including new bodywork and electrics, it was then shown to the immediately preceding owner, who expressed his delight at the work done to save the Lagonda. Finished in green with fawn leather interior, the car is described as in overall excellent condition and offered with sundry restoration invoices, old-style logbook and Swansea V5.