Lagondaforum

Subject: My Father's Rapide

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My father owned Lagonda Rapide 546 FBC (from new I think) painted in what we then called alice blue. My mother's Alvis 801 CUV was originally light grey but was repainted to match the Lagonda!

Does anyone know anything about the fate or current whereabouts of this RHD Auto Rapide? I remember my father letting me drive it from Folkestone to Canterbury when I was 17!

If I have mastered the attachment process you will see both cars photographed in Spring 1963 alongside my Austin 7.

Ownership of motoring rarities must run in the family. I currently have a Lamborghini Silhouette, the first of 52 production cars and 1976 Paris Show car.




Thumbnails of attached images:

Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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Quite by chance I see Rapide 125 is in the for sale section, missing from the registry since 1968 or thereabouts.

The blurb states "A copy of the original build sheet for the car shows that it was supplied through Francis Motors to the first owner, Doctor Hugh Davies of London WC2. The only modification from the standard specification was the deletion of picnic tables from the back of the front seats."
The paint is original. The registration number is 280 HYL not 546 FBC and the car has wire wheels, but since Dr Davies was my father this must be the car! Fantastic!

Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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Well spotted! So are you tempted to buy it?

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Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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My brother just reminded me that the interior (now black) was cream. I rang the agent. The original log book with chassis number shows 546 FBC as first registration then another number then 280 HYL as currently on the car, so this is certainly the one. I'm trying to get in contact with the owner to go and have a look.

Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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Well, well, what a turn up! According to the register the original colour you describe as Alice Blue was Carribean Pearl, and the interior was fawn. And the image you posted above is or was available on the internet, so thanks very much for dating it. I'd be very interested in any more early history you can add about the car, thanks in advance

Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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I took the picture myself and scanned it just before posting. I had written the date Spring 1963 on the back of the photo so the car must have been almost new.

Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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Two lovely looking cars...and an Austin.

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Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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If you look at the Byron pictures, you will notice that the front bumper has two holes where the fog light stood... you see them on your original picture...

I am very interested in purchasing this car. However I am cought in a pickle at the moment and let me explain this situation.

I purchased a Bentley Azure in July to add to my collection but mostly to replace my Lagonda V8 that I kept in Europe for the last 2 1/2 years.

I live in Montreal, Canada and enjoy traveling with my cars over in Europe. So the Lagonda was scheduled to travel back to Montreal in early September. Alvira (my Lagonda's name) made it back last week back home. I have been driving her for the last few days over here with great delight!

To get back to the Bentley Azure (Svetlana), she was shipped and arrived in Europe on August 30th. That same day I proceeded to drive her to Switzerland, so that I could get to my Lagonda that was stranded there from my last trip in June. Some carburettor and overheating issues had to be addressed.

I drove 850 kms thru France and made it in Murten, near Bern that night. The next day, I had to drive to Montreux, a 75 kms stint but never made it... The car caught fire on the highway about 60 kms in. Engine fire that destroyed the engine bay but did very little damage on the body and a bit of damage around the brake and gas pedals inside. Some carpet fire. Quite frightning I must say!

Chubb, my insurance company took over from there. They brought the car to England, their home base and sent it to a Bentley dealer in London, Jack Barclay.

Last Friday I was told that they are still looking at the damage but think the source was the transmission... I should know more later this week.

Anyways, back the the pickle, I am waiting for results from this ordeal to book my next visit to Europe, for one thing to oversee possible repairs to Svetlana or to collect a check if it's declaired a total loss.

I would like to synchronize that trip to go and see your father's old Rapide and possibly also Christian's car, if he will have me!

I would also love to meet with you, Mr Davies and hear of the history of the car, if you care to do that and if you are not too far from London.

Please let me know.

Francis

Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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Yes I saw the holes for the fog lights too! There were also two badges but I.m not sure how these were fixed.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet up and see the car. I live in London. I will PM you shortly.

Subject: Re: My Father's Rapide

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...of course you are very welcome Francis, it's in a slightly dismantled state at the moment...

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