Fabulous photo-documented competition history in Argentina
Retaining its original engine and coachwork
One of only 25 Rapides built
Displayed at several motor shows throughout its life
Coachwork designed by Frank Feeley, later penned the Aston Martin DB3S
The Lagonda LG45 Rapide:
In June 1935, a Lagonda
4.5 litre won the Le Mans 24 Hours race, however, in the same month Langonda
entered receivership. Fortunately, Lagonda was saved by Alan P. Good who just
outbid Rolls-Royce. At the same time, Good persuaded W.O.Bentley to leave his
company, now owned by Rolls-Royce and join Lagonda as a designer, along with
many of his racing department staff. Lagonda was firmly back in business, and
in 1936 announced the LG45 Rapide as the fastest car in the world, capable of
more than 100 mph!
The LG45 Rapide
featured much of the engineering found on the Lagonda competition cars which
had been so successful at Le Mans, but was fitted with a much more stylish and
flamboyant touring body designed by Frank Feeley. Later in his career, Feeley
was responsible for the design of the Aston Martin DB3S, possibly the prettiest
sports racing car of its time. Feeley’s Rapide design incorporated four seats,
cutaway doors, large swooping front fenders and stylish external chrome exhausts,
everything the upper classes required in the late 1930’s.
Under W.O.Bentley’s
technical direction, the M45’s replacement became more refined, gaining
flexible engine mounts and centralised chassis lubrification, making the car a much
more enjoyable touring option, and thanks to its pedigree it quickly became the
favourite among wealthy motorists of its day. Bentley also turned his
engineering prowess to the Meadows six-cylinder 4.5-litre engine, ensuring
performance and reliability improved. Stronger main bearing caps, secured by
four bolts in place of the previous two bolt setup and a strengthened crankcase
were all part of the package. The gearbox was also improved, with synchromesh
added to second, third and fourth gears making the driving experience far
superior.
Only twenty-five
Lagonda LG45 Rapides were built, and with time, it has become the most
desirable model produced by Lagonda in the prewar era.
This LG45 Rapide:
The LG45
Rapide we are offering, chassis 12205/R, was ordered on 7th January
1937 and delivered to Major Robert Roger Glen of Kelvinside, Glasgow on 4th
July. From copies of the original factory records within the cars extensive history
file, we can see this Rapide was fitted with engine LG45/372R/S3, which it
retains to this day.
Within a
couple of years, this LG45 was bought by Rene Salem and delivered to his native
Argentina before World War II. It is noted in an article published in the
Argentinian magazine Corsa Parabrisas
from 1970, that the car was delivered to Argentina displaying 0 kms, a copy of
this magazine is included in the history file.
Later, the
car was purchased by Lucio Bollaert, having passed briefly through a Mr
Bertorini. Bollaert clearly enjoyed his car, competing with it at no less than five
races. The first event was held on the 9th January 1949 at the
Circuito del Torreón in Mar del Plata. Bollaert
competed with the car wearing race number 12 and finished a respectable fourth
overall. At this time the car was displaying Argentinian license number
‘107324’. The history file contains many images from these competition events
in Argentina.
Bollaert
finished fourth overall again at the same event a couple of months later, along
with a string of sixth overall finishes before winning the award for ‘The Best
Looking Car ’ at the 1950 Gran Premio Libertador San Martin. Bollaert was an
enthusiastic competitor and went on to compete with a Jaguar XK120, Ferrari 225
Sport Spyder by Vignale and a Ferrari 250 MM Berlinetta by Pininfarina.
The next
owner was Ernesto ‘Tito’ Dillon who found the car in San Fernando. Dillon began
a restoration, but quickly sold it partly finished to Jorge (Alehandro) Macome
in 1964. Unhappy with the work completed so far, Macome commissioned a fresh
restoration which was completed on 22nd May 1970. That evening Macome
proudly collected his LG45 Rapide. In the June 1970 issue of Corsa Parabrisas, this Rapide was
featured with colour images post restoration.
In May 1978,
Joel Rahn of Springfield, Massachusetts, bought this car and had it shipped
from Buenos Aires aboard the vessel Draco. Rahn only kept the car for a short
period, selling it to George Chillberg in February 1979 through Atlantic
Antique Auto Sales for $40,000. Chillberg was based in California and
registered the car with license plate ‘LG45R’. The accompanying history file
contains many images and documents from Mr Chillberg’s ownership, including a
photograph of the car at the Riverside race circuit.
In November
1986, Clive Peerless bought the car through Simon Carrel who had it shipped to
London aboard the H Mallard. Peerless registered the car in the UK with license
‘MFF 332’, which it retains to this day. A full and exacting restoration was
quickly embarked upon, lasting for six years, with Peerless taking great
interest, ensuring every detail to be as per original.
The
extensive history file contains many original invoices from this restoration,
along with correspondence with the Lagonda Club and marque specialists, further
researching the cars history and ensuring every detail of the restoration was
correct. Peerless used various specialist suppliers, including Connolly who
supplied three red hides for the interior and the Lagonda Club who sourced the
gaskets for the Meadows engine. The majority of the restoration work was
carried out by specialists, E.K. Neve Engineering, in Sussex. Mr Peerless was
not satisfied with simply filing the invoices from the restoration of his pride
and joy, he even went to the effort of creating a hugely detailed log of every
invoice and cost associated to this car.
Sadly,
Clive Peerless passed away, and in 2009 his estate sold the car to its current
owner, a London based collector where it joined his phenomenal collection,
sitting alongside such greats as a 14-louvre Ferrari 250 GT LWB Berlinetta, Alfa
Romeo 8C and Ferrari 250 SWB California Spyder.
In April
2010, this Lagonda was entrusted to Gary H.Wright Coach Trimming, a specialist
in Lagonda motor cars, who manufactured a new hood in black Mohair, further
showing the current owners level of commitment to maintaining the car
regardless of cost. Around the same time, the car was also sent to specialists
Bishops Gray who were given a blank cheque to ensure the car received any and
all necessary work. Invoices on file show £10,000 was spent, further
emphasising the quality of the restoration which was completed more than ten
years prior.
In
preparation for sale, Max took to the wheel, reporting the car to drive very
well, with a particular highlight being the gearbox. Since Max drove the car,
it has been fully detailed and presents beautifully, again thanks to Mr
Peerless and his determination in restoring this example in the best way
possible.
Any Lagonda LG45 Rapide is a true connoisseurs pre-war dream. With only 25 examples of this, the fastest car of its day, being produced, chassis 12205/R represents an extremely rare opportunity, and having covered less than 7,000 miles since its thorough and exacting restoration and engine rebuild, this Rapide is ready to be enjoyed on the open road, just as Alan P.Good, W.O.Bentley and Frank Feeley intended.
Want more details on this car?
Our passion, knowledge and expertise gained from over 40 years of experience offers you a subjective opinion when considering either the sale, or purchase of a car potentially costing millions of pounds.
We are a dynamic, young, friendly team, focused on ensuring our clients always receive the unrivalled service they have come accustomed to from the Girardo & Co. team.
Consign your car