FEATURED AUCTION
.BONHAMS AUCTIONS
The Beaulieu SaleCollectors' Motor Cars
& Motorcycles and Automobilia
Saturday 7th September 2019
Beaulieu, National Motor Museum
Property of a deceased's estate
1934 Lagonda Rapier Coupé
Coachwork by Abbott
Registration no. WS 776
Chassis no. D10634
*Sold from the estate of Lagonda expert, the late John Batt
*One of approximately 470 Rapiers produced by Lagonda between 1934 and 1935
*Restored in the early 1980s
*Numerous improvements
Footnotes
- An early example of the Rapier, 'WS 776' was delivered to Lagonda's Glasgow distributors Burton & Tweedy on 12th June 1934 and registered in Edinburgh 13 days later. The Abbott fixed-head coupé body was finished in black and chrome, while an ENV pre-selector gearbox was specified. After passing through the hands of a number of Scottish owners, 'WS 776' was purchased in 1963 for £45 by Alan Leyburn, an ex-Lagonda and Rapier Cars Ltd employee and later motor industry executive, who is credited with having designed the supercharger modification for the Rapier while he was at the company. Alan carried out a comprehensive restoration, which involved totally dismantling the car and the construction of a new ash body frame, while preserving what could be retained. Several discreet refinements were incorporated, including an efficient heater, thermostatic radiator fan, and extensive soundproofing of the engine compartment. The Rapier was also repainted an attractive caramel colour, complementing its tan hide interior.The rebuild was completed in time for the 1984 Rapier Golden Jubilee celebration at Great Fosters, and 'WS 776' was awarded the Baily Trophy for the best car at the Register AGM in 1986 and again in 1992.The car also featured in Bernie Jacobson's 75th Anniversary book 'Ever Keen'. After the death of Alan Leyburn in 1994, the Rapier spent two years on display at the Midland Motor Museum in Bridgnorth, Shropshire before being acquired by well-known enthusiasts Robin and Mairwen Colquhoun, who used the car regularly before selling it in 2011 to another well-known Lagonda and Rapier enthusiast, John Batt. The Rapier is being sold from John's estate following his passing away earlier this year. It is believed that of the production run of Rapiers under Lagonda's stewardship some 470 left the factory, with only 3 Abbott Coupé bodied cars surviving.Under John Batt's stewardship 'WS 776' was repainted in 2013, keeping the caramel colour but changing the wings to black to be more in line with sales material from the period. The car has also been lovingly enhanced with a number of engineering improvements and is presented in generally very good condition. Running and driving very well as one would expect the coupé affords the fortunate new owner an exceptionally rare motor car ideal for touring and Vintage Sports-Car Club events. Offered with a V5 registration document and a good history file.
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