Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide 1961-1964

[B]A Brief History[/B]

Aston Martin revived the dormant Lagonda name in 1961 with the luxurious Rapide four-door saloon, a car that was very much David Brown's personal project. The Rapide's sales brochure, which, unusually, was signed by him personally, stated: 'It has long been my ambition to build a car which would be equally suitable to drive or be driven in...'

Beneath the Superleggera aluminium coachwork by Touring of Milan was a lengthened DB4 chassis reconfigured by Harold Beach 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, while interior fittings included electric windows, picnic tables to the rear, filler cap remote opening, and radio as standard.

Heavy (1,715kg), expensive (£4,950) and available only to special order, a meager 55 cars were built before production ceased in 1964.

[SIZE="1"]source: bonhams.com[/SIZE]

I had never seen the original Rapide labelled as an Aston, and as such I thought this was some sort of new special edition on the contemporary Rapide... :p

[quote=Ferrer;954269]I had never seen the original Rapide labelled as an Aston, and as such I thought this was some sort of new special edition on the contemporary Rapide... :p[/quote]

the original Lagonda Rapide is the prewar LG6.
Nice contribution, one of the rare cars I have never seen in the flesh up to now.

Coolness. Is there a reason why the fourth picture is labelled without the Aston Martin name?

[quote=Ferrer;954269]I had never seen the original Rapide labelled as an Aston, and as such I thought this was some sort of new special edition on the contemporary Rapide... :p[/quote]
And there is the original pre-war Lagonda Rapide of course :p
[quote=Man of Steel;954271]Coolness. Is there a reason why the fourth picture is labelled without the Aston Martin name?[/quote]
Nope, no special reason.

Though I have to admit that the happy Audi owner is correct - this model was sold under Lagonda brand.

[B]1962 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide
[/B]
RM | Sotheby's - PARIS 6 FEBRUARY 2019
Chassis No. LR/110/L
Engine No. 400/110

[LIST][*]Displayed at the Aston Martin stand during the 1962 New York Auto Show[*]One of only 55 produced, and one of just six built in left-hand drive[*]Winner of Trofeo Automobile Club Como at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este[*]Displayed at the Concorso d’Eleganza Kyoto in 2018[/LIST]

AM Lagonda Rapide #3