1963 | Lagonda Rapide

• First issued 1963, Hampstead registration still applied to the vehicle, 9496 KV

• Matching numbers

• Engine built to 4.2 litre specification with Cosworth pistons fitted, Unleaded

• Factory fitted 4-speed ZF

• 3-year production run

• 1 of just 55 cars built world wide

• Warranted miles from new

• A total of just 4 owners since 63

• Original tools and jack

• Recent longterm ownership spanning 20 years

Finished in Midnight Blue coachwork with Surf Blue Connolly hide, matching Blue Wilton carpets and West of England wool headlining. This example benefits from host of equipment such as;

• Front and rear electric windows

• Triple spoke wood steering wheel

• Installation of inertia seat belts to the front and rear of the cabin

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 reconfigured to accept De Dion rear suspension, the adoption of which allowed rear compartment space to be maximised. Powered by a 4.0-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 a radio as standard. A mere 55 units, almost all of which were equipped with Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission, were built before production ceased in 1964.

Chassis number ‘149’ was sold new to M.M.Green, of Hampstead Garden Suburb, London N2 on 11th November 1963 finished in Dubonnet with fawn trim. A rare, manual transmission example, the car comes with copy service history from new up to 1969, by which time it had - remarkably - covered almost 100,000 miles. Advertised for sale in the Aston Martin News Sheet in 1988, it was described as ‘a genuine 100,045-mile Rapide, two owners, stored on blocks for 15 years’ and was purchased by the vendor from the seller, M.J.Cobb, of East Grinstead.

In 1990 the Rapide was sent to Goldsmith & Young where it was fully restored between 1994 and 1996 at a cost approaching £60,000. Work undertaken included;

• Engine rebuild and enlargement to 4.2 litres

• Incorporating Cosworth pistons and an unleaded conversion

• Full body and chassis renovation

• Complete interior re-trim

• Installation of inertia-reel seatbelts

• Rear axle/differential overhaul

• Suspension and brake rebuild

• Complete rewiring

Post completion, the car achieved 2nd place awards at the AMOC’s Beaulieu (1996) and Cornbury (1997) Concours events. The Rapide was next serviced by Ian Mason in 1999 and underwent a braking system overhaul at Oselli in 2005 following several years of little use. It was featured in Hot Cars, a loose-leaf encyclopaedia, circa 2000. 

Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call 0208 878 3355 for more information.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.