Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide (1961 - 1964)
Only 55 Lagonda Rapides were manufactured in Aston Martins Newport Pagnell factory between 1961 and 1964. Only 30 of these vehicles are known of to have survived with a further 5 having been scrapped.
At the outset the Rapide was the personal project of David Brown, however, its production run was cut short to accommodate the more popular DB4 within the Newport Pagnell factory. In 1962 a TR4 cost around £1000, the Rapide’s price tag was £4950 which made it a very expensive car.
The Rapide is powered by the same twin cam 4.0 litre (236bhp) engine that was later used in the Aston Martin DB5 (though slightly detuned). The floor pan is based upon a stretched version of the DB4 but with a de Dion rear suspension. The magnesium alloy body is the work of Touring of Milan and is fixed to a Superlaggera frame and steel chassis. For an early 60's British car it had many advanced features such as dual circuit servo assisted front and rear disc brakes, electric windows, rear heated screen and passenger area, electric aerial and remotely operated fuel cap.
Today Rapides rarely come up for sale. In the last few years the majority have been sold by auction for between £65 000 and £85 000, details of these sales can be found at Motorbase.
