LAGONDA RAPIER.

[Rapier]

Perhaps some of you do not understand "Light Car".

Generally speaking this is a "Pre-1940" car of under 1500cc engine capacity.  In this category the Rapier fits in perfectly. being made in the years 1934-5 and originally 1104cc our car has grown very  slightly to just under 1500cc.

However where the Rapier really shines is that it is a twin overhead cam engine with really large inlet valves. 
You could almost say that the Rapier engine was, in comparison with other cars,  it was in competition with, "Over designed".

Edited August 3, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

This was meant as a compliment rather than a criticism. where many of the other  cars in this four cylinder, under 1500cc class were side valve, and just two main, crankshaft, bearings. the Rapier had two overhead cams and a truly massive three main bearing crankshaft.

[Rapier]

This is one of my favourite Rapier photographs.

Taken on one of our earlier European holidays, it shows the Rapier on the Sustenpass. Remember, you have to go up before you can go down.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

And that is where?    Rugged.

 

  Ben

[DrData]

Bernie,

 

Looking back at the pictures of the engine bay, it seems like the layout is not conducive to shade tee mechanics. With the distributor snuggled in there beneath the SUs and the intake manifold, where are the spate plugs? And, what is involved in changing them? 
 

I saw that a Lagonda Rapier was coming to one of the Pebble Beach auctions (California) in two weeks…believe it was Broad Arrows was the auctioneer, not one of the bigger houses.

[Rapier]

To answer Dr Data, as with most twin cam engines the spark plugs are down inbetween the cam boxes at  the top-center of the head/combustion chamber. The distributor is easy to  access, although this is easier still if you remove the air filters from the carbs first. With "electronic" ignition it does away with the need to be adjusting/cleaning the distributor points.  Timing is adjusted by rotating the distributor very slightly.

There are just four nuts to be removed to take off the air filters. In comparison with lots of "ordinary" engines access is easy. The Spark-plug leads run between the cam boxes rather than "wandering about" as with some engines. The length of the "lead" indicates which 'plug it goes to. The four spare spark-plugs are a slightly different heat range and are seldom required. They date from a time when the car was new (1934) when variarions in fuel sometimes required a "hotter" plug for  starting when the engine was cold.

[Rapier]

He also asked about the Sustenpass. This is one of the highest road passes in Switzerland. Try putting it into your  Google.

Edited August 6, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

Susten Pass
View of the Bernese side of the pass with the tunnel
Elevation	2,260 m (7,415 ft)[1]
Traversed by	Road (2,224 m)
Location	Bern/Uri, Switzerland
Range	Urner Alps
Coordinates	46°43.8′N 08°26.94′E
Susten Pass Location in Switzerland

Susten Pass (German: Sustenpass) (el. 2260 m.) is a mountain pass in the Swiss Alps. The pass road, built from 1938–1945, connects Innertkirchen in the canton of Bern with Wassen in the canton of Uri. A 300-metre long tunnel crosses the pass at 2,224 metres.

The pass is popular with tourists, especially for the views of the Stein Glacier on the south side.

 

All the above gives you some idea of the sort of interesting places our Lagonda Rapier has taken us.

With all three of us now well into our "Eighties*", perhaps we will not travel this far from home again.  Following some discussion with a "Heart specialist" earlier this week I may have to restrict my activities a bit. There again they may be a good reason to try for "one more time".

 

* 1934,36 & 38.

Edited August 6, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

Dr Data wrote earlier:-

I saw that a Lagonda Rapier was coming to one of the Pebble Beach auctions (California) in two weeks…believe it was Broad Arrows was the auctioneer, not one of the bigger houses.

Just a word of warning, While basically the same, not all Rapiers have recieved the same care and attention. A stock standard 1104cc Rapier whilst an interesting car could be very different to the subject of this "thread".

In other ways it is difficult to appreciate that these are all the same car. 

Edited August 7, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

Dr Data wrote earlier:-

I saw that a Lagonda Rapier was coming to one of the Pebble Beach auctions (California) in two weeks…believe it was Broad Arrows was the auctioneer, not one of the bigger houses.

Just a word of warning, While basically the same, not all Rapiers have recieved the same care and attention. A stock standard 1104cc Rapier whilst an interesting car could be very different to the subject of this "thread". In other ways it is difficult to appreciate that these are the same car. 

[Rapier]

There are times that I think, At my age, now past my 85th Birthday, I should sell the Rapier and buy something sensible (boring) but then I think "Who would want to 1. Buy the Rapier and 2. Pay what it is worth (to me)?" It is probably better to wait until I die and then my family can do what they like with it!

Bj.

Edited August 8, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

Keep on keeping on, Bernie!!

  I am.

 

  Ben

[Rapier]

We must be growing old, we have just returned from having a very enjoyable lunch with our second son Steve, this was to celebrate his 55th Birthday.  Golly what does that make us. That is apart from very proud parents.

 

Bj.

[DrData]

Bernie,

 

Thanks for the explanation. In your photos, I was never able to trace the leads from the distributor. One of the beauties of the SU is the ease of working on them. My TD also use two bolts per carb to arrachnair filters.

 

Keep driving and posting. Age is only important if you are a cheese or a Bordeaux red

[Rapier]

[Rapier]

In reply to DrData's question re the location of the spark plugs. 

They are placed directly over the pistons in the "valley" between the cam-boxes. A tube-spanner with a ratchet handle is used to remove them. Electrical-"leads" have push-on insulated caps. This tends to be the usual practice with 2 OHC engines, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo are just two of the "Marques" with similar arrangements.

[Rapier]

While dredging up some of my murky past these two photographs of the same car have popped up, the basic design of the body is typical, the background is familiar BUT my question is how many can identify the "car". The "drilling" of the chassis and front axle os typical. The lack of front brakes could only add to the excitement......

The "name" and the shape of the radiator should be enough to provide a solution.

[Rapier]

This photo shows the "starting point" of the car seen above.

[Rapier]

Changing the subject ever so slightly, I have been reminded that I still have had no success in my search for the Lagonda 3 Litre Special I constructed around an engine that had been rescued from a garbage truck on its way to the scrap metal yard.

This was built around a collection of obscure British car parts. Foolishly I sold it not quite finished and off and on over the past ten or twenty years I have been attempting to find it in order to finish it. So far I have been completely unsuccessful despite a letter-box-drop in the relevant area. I have also sent once before a detailed plea for information to my local Vintage Sports Car Club. Below is one of the few photographs I have of the car, taken some years ago prior to my selling it.

 

 

Bernie j.

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

While I do not expect any additional information to come from the forum, I had thought that some of you may be interested in this obscure motor car. Something that I had lovingly constructed from what to most people would consider worthless junk. I really regret havind sold it in the first place and then that it has apparently now completely disappeared.  It probably has very little or no significance or value to anyone else.

 

Bernie j.

Edited August 21, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

And there I was thinking that all this was just a bad dream until I turned on my computer this morning. I probably need to forget about that Lagonda 3 Litre and concentrate on my Lagonda Rapier and the current Morris Raworth Special project. This is currently out in the Yarra Valley with my son Steve. I am trying to work out just how many years I have owned the Rapier.

 

Bj.

[Rapier]

Below is an example of ancient history. This was my FIRST attempt at special building. It is based on what was my first Morris 8/40. Surprising as it may seem today, it was my daily,drive to work, transport.

Bj.

 

[Rapier]

I am again reminded of some of the cars that I created in the past. 

One outstanding was the ultra rare Dixie Flyer. We returned it back to the people who built in the first place. It is still with them at the Kentucky Trailer (previouslyWagon) Company in Louisville, Kentucky.

Edited August 24, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

Just looking at some of the above rubbish makes me aware of how I have wasted my life,

how many other worthwhile things I could have been doing. I spent yesterday at one of our major hospitals having my heart checked. At age 86 almost 87 There is very little wrong with it which is in some ways more bad news.  

I should survive for another year or two, perhaps even more.

I am sorry about that but I really have very little to do with it.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

1 hour ago, Rapier said:

Just looking at some of the above rubbish makes me aware of how I have wasted my life,

how many other worthwhile things I could have been doing. I spent yesterday at one of our major hospitals having my heart checked. At age 86 almost 87 There is very little wrong with it which is in some ways more bad news.  

I should survive for another year or two, perhaps even more.

I am sorry about that but I really have very little to do with it.

 

 ????????

 

  Ben

[old car fan]

Sounds like wonderful news.

[Rapier]

Oh dear! I really am not sure how to take that. 

I have to see my specialist (Heart) Doctor on Tuesday so should know more then.

Meanwhile I  need to take the Rapier out for a run, it will be wondering why it has been left shut up in the garage for so long. At least I have been keeping the battery charged up so there should not be a problem starting it. Having said that I need to make sure my battery is charged up too.

 

Bj.

[Rapier]

Now I hope that you are not too bored but I am currently going over some well trodden paths as I continue with my ongoing search for the lost Lagonda 3 Litre Special. I mentioned this a few days ago, August 20th, now my good friend Mike Bellair who is the editor of the VSCC Newsletter had taken the four photographs of it to use in an article in the N/L.  It seems rediculous that such a "unique" car can completely vanish without any trace. Apart from anything else "IT" should be a really interesting car to drive, it is/was considerably lighter and shorter than a standard Lagonda 3 Litre. I do have a "special spot" in my memory for 3 Litre Lagondas, my first Lagonda was a vintage 3 Litre.  This was an almost totally different car being a long wheelbase with (Sankey) aritllery wheels. It was deceptively fast with a maximum speed of well over 80mph.

 

Bernie j.

[Digger914]

On 8/26/2023 at 6:49 AM, Rapier said:

Oh dear! I really am not sure how to take that. 

I have to see my specialist (Heart) Doctor on Tuesday so should know more then.

Meanwhile I  need to take the Rapier out for a run, it will be wondering why it has been left shut up in the garage for so long. At least I have been keeping the battery charged up so there should not be a problem starting it. Having said that I need to make sure my battery is charged up too.

 

Bj.

It's amazing how much better you can feel after taking your roadster out for a fun run. Last year I didn't drive my little white roadster often enough, or far enough to run through a full tank of gas. Yesterday I took my roadster out for only the second time this year and it was rejuvenating. There is something about driving an open car on the open road that feels so good that it has to be good for the heart.

[demco32]

there are Lagoda's riding the Mille Miglia  in Italy.

 

[Rapier]

Hello Demco 32

Sorry, lots of Lancias and Alfa Romeo's but no Lagonda's. Surprising as it may seem, Lagonda is an English marque. Production numbers of Lagonda cars are a mere handful when compared with either of these Italian makes.

My interest is mainly in Lagonda Rapiers. These are the small cars, four cylinder 1100cc, twin overhead cam usually with a "Preselector" transmission. Even smaller

production numbers, dating from 1934 to 1939. There were no factory bodies on Rapiers, only as ordered by the customer at the time of purchase. 

Our Rapier has it's engine enlarged to 1500cc. 

Thank you

Bernie j.

 

 

Edited August 28, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[Rapier]

Just one thing, having owned this car for a great many years it is NOT for sale.

AND is unlikely to be sold any time soon.

Bernie j.

[Rapier]

 

However I must not forget that I still own the Morris Special.

It currently with our son Steve who is doing some work on it (when he has time).

He lives at Yarra Junction about 2 hours drive away.

This car is based on a 1922 Morris Cowley although the motor has the larger, Morris Oxford size bores. It has new aluminium copies of the original Sankey wheels and a rather nice Aluminium two seater body with new leather upholstered seats and trim.

It has just rear wheel brakes that may make it a little more challenging to drive?

There are no doors on either side.  the exhaust going down the left hand side and the spare wheel mounted on the right (drivers) side.

The factory version of the same car was known as the Raworth Special,

designed by Cecil Kimber these predated the Morris based MGs.

 

 

Edited August 29, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[1935Packard]

Rapier, 

 

I am just now getting to this thread, which I looked for when searching for information on Lagondas.  I've been thinking I might want to get a 1930s European car at some point, and among the cars I find particularly attractive are the Delahaye 135, the Derby Bentleys, and the Lagonda LG45.  I'm mostly interested in a 4-seater convertible, so likely a cabriolet or drophead coupe (if it's a Delahaye/Bentley) or a tourer (if it's a Lagonda).  I was wondering, do you have thoughts on how those cars compare, especially to drive and to maintain?   The Bentleys seem most common, and easiest to find.  The Lagonda LG45 tourer seems a rare car, but one that comes up on the market from time to time (including this one, which seems very nice).  Your insights from your experience would be very welcome! Many thanks.

 

-35Packard

[Rapier]

My second or third "Big" Lagonda was thos LG45 Drop Head Coupe, when last heard of it was "somewhere in France.  I am sorry about the quality of the photograph but it was taken a long time ago. Almost 50 years.

[Rapier]

Alternatively you may like to think about one of the Small Lagondas the 1934 Rapier while very limited production, came in many disguises. The "factory" never built bodies for the Rapier, each has its own "custom made" coachwork. Several English coachbuilders made their own version of a Rapier body. In recent times many enthusiasts have had their own version of what a Rapier should look like. Some years ago a group of enthusiasts, in England, had a batch of about12 or 14 replica Eagle two seater bodies built. It is one of these on my Rapier.

[Rapier]

For the benefit anyone interested in the "Rally Plate" on the front of the Rapier, among other things it reminds me of our last visit to France in the car. It was a "tour" to commemorate the FIRST "Car tour" held in 1898 by the Federation Francaise Des Vehicules Depouque this one being held over the weekend of 14th June in 2009.

Among those attending are Delage, Hispano Suiza and Lagonda.

Over the years we have attended a number of similar events in France. This involves shipping the Lagonda from Australia to England and then driving across France to the start of the event. Following on from this we would continue driving through much of rural France. Despite our advancing ages, I will turn 87 in a few weeks time it would be good to think that we may make one more visit to our friends in the UK and France.

Rather than store them in a cupboard or stick them away on a shelf I have made a habit of displaying them on the wall next to my desk.

They are a decorative reminder of some of the fabulous times we have enjoyed driving in the Lagonda.

The "Pewter Pots" are trophies from various events we have won.

There is a second shelf again over my desk.

Edited September 26, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)

[demco32]

On 8/28/2023 at 6:04 AM, Rapier said:

Hello Demco 32

Sorry, lots of Lancias and Alfa Romeo's but no Lagonda's. Surprising as it may seem, Lagonda is an English marque. Production numbers of Lagonda cars are a mere handful when compared with either of these Italian makes.

My interest is mainly in Lagonda Rapiers. These are the small cars, four cylinder 1100cc, twin overhead cam usually with a "Preselector" transmission. Even smaller

production numbers, dating from 1934 to 1939. There were no factory bodies on Rapiers, only as ordered by the customer at the time of purchase. 

Our Rapier has it's engine enlarged to 1500cc. 

Thank you

Bernie j.

 

 

I've seen them there.

[demco32]

On 9/26/2023 at 2:29 AM, Rapier said:

For the benefit anyone interested in the "Rally Plate" on the front of the Rapier, among other things it reminds me of our last visit to France in the car. It was a "tour" to commemorate the FIRST "Car tour" held in 1898 by the Federation Francaise Des Vehicules Depouque this one being held over the weekend of 14th June in 2009.

Among those attending are Delage, Hispano Suiza and Lagonda.

Over the years we have attended a number of similar events in France. This involves shipping the Lagonda from Australia to England and then driving across France to the start of the event. Following on from this we would continue driving through much of rural France. Despite our advancing ages, I will turn 87 in a few weeks time it would be good to think that we may make one more visit to our friends in the UK and France.

Rather than store them in a cupboard or stick them away on a shelf I have made a habit of displaying them on the wall next to my desk.

They are a decorative reminder of some of the fabulous times we have enjoyed driving in the Lagonda.

The "Pewter Pots" are trophies from various events we have won.

There is a second shelf again over my desk.

seems like you have been a lot in France, sir.

[Rapier]

It really is quite simple, in the past we have had a "Big Holiday" every four years. This involved shipping our 1934 Lagonda Rapier two seater sports car to England. From there it was simply a matter of crossing the English Channel to France and the rest of Europe. We have gone as far as the south of Spain on these holiday trips. We have driven the 'Rapier over 100,000 miles over the years that we have owned it.

 

Edited October 2, 2023 by Rapier (see edit history)