Lagonda Rapide
The Lagonda Rapide four-door sports sedan was a, which was built between 1961 to 1964. It was based on the Aston Martin DB4 and was David Brown's attempt to make the brand name Lagonda arise again, the name of a company, which he had bought in 1947 and built in 1958 her so far last vehicle.
The concept
The body of the Rapide was designed Carrozzeria Touring in Milan according to detailed instructions from David Brown. On Brown's request, the car tail fins and a grille received in the form of a collar, reminiscent of the Edsel. To dual headlights that were installed offset and a " Chineses Eyes" called motif reproductions, which at the time was popular and on such diverse cars like the Triumph Herald and the Rolls- Royce Silver Cloud III ( in the special version of Mulliner Park were at the front end Ward) found.
Technically, the Rapide was based on the chassis of the Aston Martin DB4, its wheelbase, however, had been extended by 400 millimeters to 2890 millimeters now. A special feature compared to the initial model was the De Dion rear suspension, which was later used in the Aston Martin DBS. Two engines were available:
- Basic engine was a 3995 cc six cylinder, which represented an enlarged version of the famous from DB4 engine ( there with 3.7 liters displacement). The power output was 236 hp at 5000 rpm. This engine came later in the Aston Martin DB5.
- Alternatively, could the Rapide with the ( still ) 3.7 -liter engine of the Aston Martin DB4 Vantage be fitted, which had a revised cylinder head and was fed by three carburettors; his power was 266 hp.
As power transmission, a three -speed automatic Borg Warner was fitted as standard; given during the four-speed transmission of the Aston Martin DB4 was available.
The total 2 -ton car was very luxurious. Leather upholstery, electric windows, radio and picnic tables in the backrests of the front seats were standard equipment.
The production
The Lagonda Rapide was introduced to the public in the summer of 1961 and offered at a price of £ 4,950. He was about the same price level of a Bristol 407 and introduced one of the most expensive cars of British origin dar. He remained until 1965 in the offer. During this period, 55 specimens were prepared in order to satisfy its customers as far as possible, differed in detail greatly. Eight vehicles were there on the left. At least one copy was subsequently converted into a five-door shooting brake; Manufacturer is "the body shop Company Ltd.. " ( and not the company Radford, which in the 1960s, a number of Aston Martin DB5 and DB6 in Shooting Brakes transformed ).
The Lagonda Rapide was only made to order. Of the 55 manufactured vehicles are still 48 pieces exist today.
The further fate of the Rapide
The Lagonda Rapide was the declared favorite vehicle of David Brown. He had hoped for a much wider distribution of the car. It failed on the one hand to the high price; other hand, the design did not speak to anyone because it represented a " non-specific mix of American and Italian lines."
John Wyer, Aston Martin Manager, tried two years after the idea to pass on the construction of Alvis, where it was apparently thinking about the production of a four-door sedan (previously there had been only individual four-door, the dressed individually by Hermann Graber in Switzerland had been ). But the business failed due to opposition from David Brown.
Competitors
- Alvis TD21 and TE21
- Bristol 407 and 408
- Maserati Quattroporte I