Lagondaforum

Subject: An interesting anecdote from the original owners of my car

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Yesterday I was introduced to Maharaj Dalip Singh of Jodhpur at a classic car event here in New Delhi, India. He is the youngest sibling of the last Maharaja of Jodhpur, and still owns and drives his Delahaye 135MS GeoHam with a Figoni et Falaschi body.
When he learned that I now own his family's Lagonda V12 Rapidé he instantly remembered the car in great detail.
He told me that one day his older brothers decided to race the Lagonda against the Delahaye, HH the Maharaja was at the wheel of the Rapidé with Dalip Singh ji in the car while another brother drove the Delahaye.
The streets of Jodhpur were cleared and they set off. For a while the Delahaye more than matched the Lagonda to the surprise of the Maharaja, they then smelt something burning and thought it might be the clutch, but realised that HH had left the handbrake on!
As soon as he put it down, the Lagonda sped away leaving the Delahaye in it's dust. .. literally!

Subject: Re: An interesting anecdote from the original owners of my car

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How fantastic. Did you ask if he had any photos you could have? Would be a really nice addition to your records and I'm sure it would make a great feature article in the club magazine.

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Subject: Re: An interesting anecdote from the original owners of my car

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Great story!
And nice to hear the Lagonda was being used properly and driven with a little spirit

Nice to hear the story Awini, thanks,

Best regards,
Julian

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Subject: Re: An interesting anecdote from the original owners of my car

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At a Riley RM club meeting in the late 1970s, I arrived in the V12, and overheard someone saying how long it took to dismantle the engine. Turned out he'd worked at the factory. He gave me the phone number of Ted Vickers, who drove for Alan Good. Unfortunately Ted was due to go into hospital and didn't expect to come out, but he did recollect seeing 118mph in my car along the Oxford bypass. That did coincide with 5500 rpm in top gear...
Laurence

Subject: Re: An interesting anecdote from the original owners of my car

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One of my dreams is to restore a V12 saloon with one or two well hidden upgrades,
Especially now we are well aware of the areas that need refinement.
I think a V12 medium or long wheelbase saloon with a bit of care and inginuity could make an amazingly useable long distance touring machine that could teach a few moderns what class is all about.

Fantastic cars!

Julian

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Subject: Re: An interesting anecdote from the original owners of my car

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That's a smashing story Awini. I'm sure many of us have the odd story about our cars but that one is truy exotic!

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