1936 Lagonda Rapier

This superb Rapier four seat tourer features a Ranalah body and is one of the final cars produced by Rapier Cars Ltd of Hammersmith. This delightful little tourer is reported to be just six cars from the end of Rapier production. The car was first registered in November 1936 and is thought to be an unrestored example and almost entirely original.

Whilst much of this car’s history remains a little opaque, we can confirm that the previous owner acquired the Rapier in 1999 and retained it for 25 years until the current owner, Nick, acquired it in April 2024 to become just its fifth owner in its 89 year history. Remarkable! Since Nick’s purchase he has commissioned a number of improvements, including new carpets, door cards and rear panels. Mechanically there are new tyres, a new exhaust and new indicators. With this being one of just 46 produced by Rapier Cars Ltd, and not all of those four seat tourers, today this represents a vanishingly rare Lagonda indeed. 

The key to all aspects of this diminutive Lagonda is its apparent originality and that’s certainly true of the car’s exterior. The Rapier Register knows of this car and describes it as “original other than Maltby front wings.” Maltby was another of the favoured coachbuilders for the Rapier suggesting that these were inherited from another Rapier at some point. Those aside, everything else is thought to be as it was when the car first left Hammersmith in November 1936.

Viewing the Rapier square on from the front suggests it to be a bigger car than it actually is. The tall, alloy shelled, mesh fronted radiator paired with the huge externally mounted headlamps have something of a 1930’s Bentley about them. Moving around to the side, however, reveals it to be a compact machine with a truncated rear and a relatively short bonnet, but a generous four seater cabin. Those interloping front wings sweep gracefully down into a pair of compact running boards with protective chrome strips. The sloping rear panel is entirely filled by a hard, body coloured spare wheel cover with a chromed, twin eared spinner central fixing.

The weather equipment is courtesy of a black fabric hood which appears to be in great shape, tightly fitting and with a small acetate rear window. Matching side screens are included as are half and full tonneau covers. The Rapier rests on a set of silver painted, 60 spoke wire wheels complete with chromed, twin eared centre spinners. These are shod with a new set of period-look tyres in a 4.00 / 4.50 – 19 configuration.

The cabin of the Rapier retains excellent originality, too, despite benefitting from some restorative care under Nick’s stewardship. The driver’s seat has been expertly and professionally repaired and now presents beautifully in red leather, stitched into vertical box pleats. This blends very well with the remaining three seats which are all equally well presented. Other recent editions (December 2024) included new door panels, rear side panels and carpets. As such the condition of these are second to none. The rear bench appears surprisingly commodious and is set high up for optimum visibility of the road ahead.

The dashboard fascia is typical of the period being a moustache shaped, varnished wooden panel. This provides a home to a large and original Smiths 100mph speedometer and delightful matching tachometer with both green and red shaded sectors. A clock, duplex oil pressure and water temperature gauge and an amperes meter are also a fitted. A later fuel level gauge is present. A delightful four spoke, banjo style steering wheel with a bound leather rim is fitted.

The driver controls include a fly-off style chromed handbrake to the right hand side and a preselector gear lever to the cabin’s centre. The foot pedals feature a centrally positioned accelerator.

Freelance designer Thomas “Tim” Ashcroft was commissioned to design the Rapier’s engine with a challenging brief to make it “Britain’s finest 1100cc engine.” By all accounts he did pretty well and produced a straight four, double overhead camshaft design which was intended to be cast in light alloy. With Lagonda’s ever-present restriction of funds intervening, however, the production unit would be cast iron. Despite this an output of 50hp at 5,400rpm was quoted. It is possible, although not confirmed, that this unit could have originally been supercharged. It is only the Rapier Register’s description that suggests this by claiming that DLA121 is “no longer supercharged.” A pre-selector four speed gearbox is also fitted. Owner Nick reports that “the engine is sound with no leaks, the gearbox is fine, and the brakes and electrics are good. It’s a joy to drive once you're used to it. The pre-selector gearbox is a bit of a challenge to start with, and the central accelerator takes a bit of getting used to. Otherwise, it’s great and good for about 60mph.”

The engine bay is a period delight. Twin alloy cam covers are nicely polished, feature red debossed Lagonda script and even has the inlet valve clearances noted on small brass plaques. Other lovely features of note include a rack for a spare set of spark plugs and plenty of bent copper piping with chunky brass fittings. The underside of the car exhibits half elliptical springs moderated by original Andre Dartford adjustable friction shock absorbers. The big, 13-inch, rod operated Girling brake drums are also noted. The condition under here is impressive, as is the access with even the rear differential easily lubricated thanks to the removable rear bench. 

There is plenty of interesting accompanying paperwork with this Lagonda Rapier. This includes the current V5 Registration Document. This classifies the Lagonda as an Historic Vehicle and, as such, MoT exempt and zero rated for road tax in the UK. Some earlier MoT hard copies are also present. 

The remainder of the archive includes a number of invoices including the cabin refresh from December 2024 (£1,250) and a mechanical overhaul from November 2024 (£1,170). There is also that extract from the Rapier Register that has already been referred to.

Lagonda is an interesting company with a typically turbulent early history and characterful, maverick founder. By the 1930’s, however, they were building some impressive hand crafted, impeccably engineered motorcars. The Rapier is one such example, offering up a model which is a small and sporty number but with all the key attributes of a big, expensive hand built conveyance. With such a small number of post-administration cars built by Rapier Cars Limited, they are always likely to be the most desirable and sought after Rapiers.

This seemly unrestored example is, indeed, one of those 46 Hammersmith cars in Ranalah bodied, four seater touring trim. This car started its life as a rare one and has only got rarer with the passing 89 years. This is a deeply original example of the Rapier breed and, according to its current owner, is a joy to own and drive. A truly enticing example of a fascinating marque in a configuration and original condition that could well prove unique and with a provenance to match. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £37,000 - £42,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.