Lagonda Rapide at Speed in the Fog
1938-9 Lagonda V12 Rapide Drophead Coupe with full upgrade by the factory including Le Mans–specification Sanction II engine.
One of the great British marques, Lagonda was founded by American Wilbur Gunn who initially built motorcycles, then three-wheelers, and graduated to four-wheeled machines in 1910. During the 1920s and 1930s Lagonda made a name for itself at Le Mans and Brooklands.
After a half-hearted attempt at remaining with his namesake company following its acquisition by Rolls-Royce, W.O. Bentley moved to Lagonda, another respected name in swift touring cars. It was at Lagonda that Bentley produced an engine that many consider his masterpiece, the fabulous V-12, a 60-degree design with modern overhead valves with a single overhead camshaft for each cylinder bank and utilizing numerous special metals for lightness and durability.
The Lagonda V-12 was as close as any automaker came in the late 1930s to a “modern” automobile, with outstanding performance and superb road manners. Reportedly it could accelerate in top gear from a crawl to 105 mph, and that was in stock form, with two SU downdraft carburetors. The two V-12s sent to Le Mans in 1939 had Sanction II engines, with four carburetors apiece, and achieved 3rd and 4th overall and 1st and 2nd in Class—this despite the fact that W.O. Bentley had “speed-limited” them. It was all merely a test, in preparation for the real competition in 1940—something that World War II sadly ensured would not happen.
A total of 187 Lagonda V-12s were produced for Europe and North America’s most discerning motorists, including a who’s who of society and racing drivers. Of these, just seventeen were the “ultimate” specification Rapide, produced on the shortest 124-inch-wheelbase chassis. Twelve of these cars were fitted with a uniquely sleek drophead coupe body, drawn by Frank Feeley and produced in-house. Based upon the Le Mans cars’ engineering, the Rapide was crafted with an emphasis on all-out performance but spared nothing in the matter of comfort and fine style. It was one of the great machines of its decade and a fitting coda to W.O. Bentley’s distinguished career.
COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!
Lagonda Rapide at Speed in the Fog
1938-9 Lagonda V12 Rapide Drophead Coupe with full upgrade by the factory including Le Mans–specification Sanction II engine.
One of the great British marques, Lagonda was founded by American Wilbur Gunn who initially built motorcycles, then three-wheelers, and graduated to four-wheeled machines in 1910. During the 1920s and 1930s Lagonda made a name for itself at Le Mans and Brooklands.
After a half-hearted attempt at remaining with his namesake company following its acquisition by Rolls-Royce, W.O. Bentley moved to Lagonda, another respected name in swift touring cars. It was at Lagonda that Bentley produced an engine that many consider his masterpiece, the fabulous V-12, a 60-degree design with modern overhead valves with a single overhead camshaft for each cylinder bank and utilizing numerous special metals for lightness and durability.
The Lagonda V-12 was as close as any automaker came in the late 1930s to a “modern” automobile, with outstanding performance and superb road manners. Reportedly it could accelerate in top gear from a crawl to 105 mph, and that was in stock form, with two SU downdraft carburetors. The two V-12s sent to Le Mans in 1939 had Sanction II engines, with four carburetors apiece, and achieved 3rd and 4th overall and 1st and 2nd in Class—this despite the fact that W.O. Bentley had “speed-limited” them. It was all merely a test, in preparation for the real competition in 1940—something that World War II sadly ensured would not happen.
A total of 187 Lagonda V-12s were produced for Europe and North America’s most discerning motorists, including a who’s who of society and racing drivers. Of these, just seventeen were the “ultimate” specification Rapide, produced on the shortest 124-inch-wheelbase chassis. Twelve of these cars were fitted with a uniquely sleek drophead coupe body, drawn by Frank Feeley and produced in-house. Based upon the Le Mans cars’ engineering, the Rapide was crafted with an emphasis on all-out performance but spared nothing in the matter of comfort and fine style. It was one of the great machines of its decade and a fitting coda to W.O. Bentley’s distinguished career.
COMMENTS & INVITATIONS with AWARD BANNERS will be respectfully DELETED!