1962 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to the lower rate 5% import tax if the car is to remain in the UK & purchased by a private individual. The 5% is calculated on the final selling price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT (a company buying the car will always have to pay VAT on the hammer price, as well as duty + VAT).

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £350 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

The car will require recommissioning prior to full road use and is sold ‘as seen’. We cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 1962 RHD auto Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide comes with no history and few service records.

VIN: LR/113/R

The car’s odometer reads 38,750 miles.

We believe it entered the vendor’s collection in 2012.

We further believe that for many years prior to that, the car was owned and driven by a Dutch man with the very impressive name of Edzard Arnoldus Robert Marie Van Den Clooster Baron Sloet Tot Everlo.

No, really.

It has taken part in at least 7 ‘Nationale Rode Kruis’ rallies – which are classic car rallies held in the Netherlands to raise money for the Red Cross.

And its very good overall order suggests to us that this extremely rare, classy and elegant car has been properly looked after and maintained over the years.

With the proviso that we haven’t tried to start or drive this vehicle and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition, we think this 1962 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide is in very strong, original condition and is an exceptionally handsome and desirable classic.

The bodywork seems to be in really excellent condition in general.

The panels are straight, even and free of any significant dinks, dents or creases that we can see, and the panel gaps and shut lines seem entirely consistent and even.

The dark blue paintwork is very good indeed.

The wire wheels are in good order, as far as we can tell, and even the rubber trim looks to have survived the passage of time without too much deterioration.

After looking long and hard at the car, we finally discovered three shallow (and barely discernible) indentations on the roof, a bit of foxing on the chrome of the front bumper, a paint chip on the edge of the bonnet and one or two small scuffs on the sills.

A wing mirror is missing, but not unaccountable – it’s inside the car, along with a couple of spare fan belts and a map of the Netherlands.

What more could you possibly want?

The interior is broadly every bit as impressive as the exterior and is an unfussy and stylish place to spend some quality time.

While the grey/pale blue leather upholstery still has plenty of structural integrity and is both comfortable and supportive, the leather itself has not fared as well as it might.

There are significant cracks and tears in the front seats and the rear bench has a split in it at the top on the passenger side.

The carpets are a little moth-eaten in places, particularly at the base of the door cards.

The headlining is in decent fettle, as is the dashboard and the various wood and veneer inserts.

All the toggles, stops, levers, switches and buttons appear to be fine, although, as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle, we can’t make any claims about their full functionality.

The undersides look to have a decent amount of structural integrity.

Everything in the engine bay looks clean, dry and in its right and proper place.

This car doesn’t come with any history or comprehensive service records. It is not registered anywhere, the buyer will have to do this.

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.

It does have what appear to be old, original Netherlands registration documents.

We think this fabulous Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide is in very good overall condition and must surely be one of the most original and authentic examples of this vanishingly rare car you could hope to find anywhere – provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are as good as the rest of the car.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £50,000 - £70,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.