1962 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide Sports Saloon

This car comes to us with little history and few service records, although it does have a copy of an old-style V5 document.

It also has an itemised record of work carried out between 1962 and 1967, plus two 1973 bills for parts.

Today, only 47 of the original 55 Lagonda Rapides are known to exist, with this being, we think, the 14th built.

This RHD auto car was delivered new to The London Rubber Company (perhaps better known by the name of its most famous brand, Durex) new on 9.11.62 and first registered on 20.12.62.

Its original engine, number 400/115, was replaced for unknown reasons with engine number 400/156 on 14.5.63.

Its chassis number is: LR/115/R.

Today, the odometer reads 59,956 miles.

We know that the car’s mileage was 45,497 in 1967 so, since then, this car has covered just 14,459 miles prior to entering the previous owner’s collection in 2010 – the same year it attended the Schloss Bensberg Classics car show near Cologne.

We believe the car was living in Bavaria, Germany, in 2007.

This car’s elegant, understated lines are entirely of its era and bear the unmistakable design imprimatur of Touring.

It combines the understated class and Britishness of Cary Grant or David Niven with the all-Italian style and allure of Mastroianni and Ekberg in La Dolce Vita.

That’s quite a combination and makes it, in our opinion, a very handsome car indeed.

The car’s ‘Midnight Blue’ paintwork looks really very good viewed from any angle.

So, too, does the bodywork, which is impressively free of any significant dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds.

The chrome is OK but there is some foxing and pitting here and there on the bumpers and door handles.

The wire wheels seem fine.

There is a little bubbling on the n/s/r wing next to the door and at the base of both o/s doors.

There are a few shallow dents in the rear bumper, which also has a missing reflector on the n/s.

The Lagonda badge at the rear has faded and lost some colour.

There is a crack at the base of the windscreen.

These issues aside, the car has no more than the entirely expected amount and distribution of minor paint chips, small scratches and scuffs that you might expect to find in a vehicle of this age.

The interior of the car appears to us to be largely original and authentic.

The leather upholstery, while still functional, supportive and comfortable, is showing some signs of age and wear in places. The base of the front passenger seat has a hole around the hinge on the seat’s folding mechanism.

There are also some small holes and cracks in the driver’s seat and on the rear bench seats.

The door cards have one or two scuffs and holes here and there and need to be shown some soap and water – as does the rest of the interior in general.

The padding at the top of the dashboard is coming away in places and the glove compartment does not fully close.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t started or driven the vehicle.

The front interior lights are missing their plastic covers and the metal vents fitted to the parcel shelf have some superficial rust on them.

The carpets and mats look reasonable, but the headlining is rather grubby and feels a little thin and crispy to the touch.

Lifting up the carpets in here reveals solid-looking floor pans.

The boot looks good and contains a spare wheel and some tools.

The engine and engine bay are clean, tidy and everything looks to be in its right and proper place.

The cars undersides look to have a decent amount of structural integrity although you will, of course, want to reach your own conclusion.

Please come and inspect it if you can, or send a mechanic to give you a detailed report, we will make the car fully accessible of course.

The car doesn’t come with a full service history or record of work done.  All the documents you see in the picture gallery are photocopies (a USB stick with these on is included).

It has just had over £1,000 spent on it checking that the engine turns/starts, which it does.

Currently, it has no MoT certificate, but a new V5 has been applied for and will arrive imminently.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a copy, apart from the UK V5C.

This stylish, classy and vanishingly rare car looks to us to be in very decent overall condition and in need of little more than cosmetic attention, provided, of course, that the engine and mechanicals prove amenable to recommissioning.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.