For Sale P.O.A.
There are not many cars that take your breath away at first glance, but this 1939 Lagonda Rapide is one of them! With its stunning lines and mechanical complexity, this really is one of the greatest pre-war cars ever produced.
Developed during the immediate pre-war period at a time when there was a race amongst prestigious motoring greats such as Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza and Packhard to produce the best car in the world, the Lagonda V12 arguably achieved this with more sporting credentials than its rivals. Having an engine designed entirely by the recently recruited W O Bentley, the Lagonda V12’s performance was underlined at Le Mans in 1939 when works cars finished in 3rd and 4th position.
This car, chassis no. 14103, is one of the last of only seventeen V12 Rapides built. The Rapide was based on the short chassis and carried light-weight coachwork giving overall better output figures than its standard counterpart. Copies of the build sheets state the car was finished in light blue with blue grey leather and grey hood, and had the lower radiator shell and Sanction 2 engine.
Delivered on 29 September 1929 and shipped to the USA in 1940 for its first owner, Joseph Reynolds of North Carolina enjoyed the car until 1956. From 1962 until 1989, chassis 14103 resided with R.M. Roy of New Jersey before returning to Europe and being sold to a German collector, Bernd Holthusen. He owned it until 2002 when his collection of Lagondas was auctioned.
The current owner then purchased the car and instructed renowned Lagonda specialists Cedar Classics to undertake a restoration. As part of this work, new cylinder heads were fitted and a conversion to quad carburettors made, configuring the engine to the 1939 Le Mans specification. Additionally the final drive ratio has been changed resulting in effortless high-speed touring.
Furthermore, during the restoration, its American-type bumpers were replaced with correct steel bumpers, although the car still retains its American-style back lights fitted after it had been shipped to the USA in 1939. The car also has fitted a 1939 Phillips radio as well as seatbelts which are easily detachable. To further enhance the lines of the car, it was refinished in its current striking colour combination of black over grey, with tobacco brown leather and carpets.
Since its restoration the car has covered 8,400 miles and has attended prestigious events across Europe including the 2007 Grand Prix Historique de Pau (where it was awarded overall winner in the Concours d’Elegance), the 2018 Lagonda Club Annual Meeting (where it was awarded overall winner of the V12 and LG6s, the featured cars of that year), the 2022 Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza, and the 2022 Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance. In recent years, the car has been maintained by Clark & Carter in Essex and substantial work has been completed to improve the brakes, steering and overall running of the car.
This is a fabulously stylish car that remains in concours condition and offers access to some of the world’s most prestigious events.
