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1936 Lagonda LG45 Rapide news, pictures, and information
 |  | View more photos Sports-Racing Two-Seater Chassis Num: 12111 Engine Num: 12111 |
The company was rescued by entrepreneur Alan Good, who placed the legendary W.O. Bentley as the new chief designer. Under Bentley's guidance, the Lagonda models were moved into the luxury car market for 1936, with the introduction of the new LG45 model. They were fitted with the tried-and-true Meadows six-cylinder engine and chassis from the M45 model. Longer springs and Luvax dampers were fitted to give the car a more comfortable ride. Bentley turned his attention and his expertise on improving the proprietary engine.
Special competition variants of the LG45 were created at Staines Bridge for Lagonda's quasi-works racing team, Fox & Nicholl Limited, of Tolworth, Surrey. Arthur Fox and Bob Nicholl were Lagonda specialists who had been preparing and racing Lagonda cars since the mid-1920s.
In 1929, Fox and Nicholl ran four 2-liter cars in both the Irish Grand Prix and RAC Tourist Trophy races. They soon earned a reputation for their abilities to meticulously prepare competition Lagondas.
For the 1936 season, four competition cars were created specifically for Fox and Nicholl. Two four-seater cars were built to comply with Le Mans 24 Hour regulation requirements. Two two-seaters were also created for competition. This example, chassis EPE 97, is one of the two examples created. It was completed in May of 1936 and was given UK registration 'EPE 97' that August. The two-seater sister car, 'HLL 534', is still in existence. The whereabouts of the two four-seater cars is unknown.
Instead of Fox & Nicholls' normal racing red livery, their two-seater car was painted French blue at its racing debut. It was driven by Algerian-born French driver Marcel Lehoux in the sports car Grand Prix de l'ACF at Montlhéry, outside Paris, France on June 28, 1936. 'HLL 534' won its class while 'EPE 97' was forced to retire prematurely. It is believed that this was HLL 534's only race.
EPE 97 was painted in Fox & Nicholl's dark shade of red and entered in the RAC Tourist Trophy race in August of 1936. It was driven by the Honorable Brian Lewis who later became Lord Essendon. It wore race number 1 and ran in second place before it slid of the road and struck a bank. Brian Lewis was able to re-enter the race and the car ran a close third behind Eddie Hall's Derby Bentley. The battle continued until EPE 97 began loosing oil through a hole left by a broken engine timing cover stud. The car had run for four-hours, had recovered from an accident, but was now forced to limp to the finish. It finished in 14th place with an average speed of 76.12 mph.
The third major race for EPE 97 was the British Racing Drivers' Club 500-Mile classic at the Brooklands Motor Course near Weybridge, Surrey. It finished third with an average speed of 113.02 mph.
The car was retained by Fox & Nicholl for the 1937 season. It was entered in the 24-Hours of LeMans race where it was co-driven by Charles Brackenbury and by Fox & Nicholls' 1935 Le Mans-winning star – Hawker Aircraft test pilot-cum-racing driver John Hindmarsh. Sadly, due to unspecified mechanical problems, the car retired at 10pm on Saturday evening.
EPE 97 was entered in the RAC Tourist Trophy where it was co-driven by Charlie Brackenbury/C.E.C. ‘Charlie' Martin. It was crashed at the Melbourne Hairpin due to breakage of its near-side front stub axle. This would be the cars last major race.
In 1952, the car was acquired by Joe Goodhew. While in his care, the car was lowered by 10-inches and fitted with a ENV pre-selector gearbox. It was driven in several major races, including the inaugural Goodwood Nine Hours. It finished 14th out of the field of 18 finishers.
The next owner was Colonel L.S. Michael who continued its racing pedigree with over 120 races. It raced until the very early 1960s and then was retired for several years, until 1974, when it was acquired by David Dunn. While in his care, the car was rebuilt to its original Fox & Nicholl specification. In 1987 it was offered for sale at auction and purchased by car dealer Terry Cohn.
Over the next decade, the car was used in vintage competition. It remained with Mr. Cohn until his death, at which point it was acquired from his estate by its current owner.
In 2008, the legendary Lagonda racer was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. It was sold for $1,382,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.
Wilbur Gunn was born in 1859 and grew up in Springfield, Ohio. He arrived in England in 1891 where me met Mrs. Constance Grey, his future wife. She was a widower who had lost her husband in 1896. Constance and Gunn married in 1897. In 1898 Wilbur adapted a single cylinder petrol engine to his bicycle. Within time, the Lagonda factory would be built on the property their house. The name Lagonda was named for a creek near Gunn's home. The name 'Lagonda' is Shawnee Native American for a place now called Buck Creek.
Gunn's motorcycle proved to be successful in competition and international competition. Soon, he expanded his offerings to include three-wheeled vehicles with larger capacity engines. Over seventy examples were created. In 1908 Gunn won the London to England reliability trim which earned him the Gold Medal for that year. In 1910 the Moscow-St Petersburg reliability trial was won by Lagonda.
When World War I broke out, the Lagonda factory was morphed to accommodate the war effort. Their primary duties were in building shells. After the war they returned to building automobiles and racers. Shortly thereafter, Gunn passed away, dying in 1920. Gunn's partner, Alf Cranmer, continued the operations. Cranmer had been with the company from 1904 until 1935.
At the 1925 London Motor Show, a two-liter hemispherical four-cylinder model was introduced. It excellent braking and superior construction continued its reputation for power and performance. A more sporting version, the 'speed', was introduced a two years later. In 1930 Lagonda adopted a supercharger to their 2-liter motor and achieved a 90-mph top speed.
In 1933 the Lagonda M45 was introduced at the London Motor Show. It came equipped with a Meadows engine of 4453 cc capacity. Lord de Clifford used a prototype to outrun a train traveling from London to Brindisi. The feat was done in 14 hours. Future versions of the M45 were later modified and entered into the 1934 Tourist Trophy and all three entrants finished in strong fashion. Road going versions of these vehicles were later offered to the public.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race was, and still is, one of the most prestigious race. It was grueling for driver, team, and automobile. During the 1920's and 1930's Bentley and Alfa Romeo were the favored victors. In 1935 John Hindmarsh and Luis Fontes drove a Lagonda M45 Rapide 1,868.42 miles averaging 77.85 mph to an overall victory.
Sadly, this victory was not met with increased sales. Part of the decline was new speed restrictions of 30 mph across Britain. Declining sales sent the company into bankruptcy. The company was saved by Alan Good and the company was reformed as LG Motors and WO Bentley employed. Their first introduction was the LG45 which was based on the M45. It was given Girling brakes and a softer suspension. In total 278 examples were offered.
There were only 25 examples of the LG45 constructed. It came in only one bodsytle, a two-door four-seater tourer with cycle-type wings and chrome external exhausts. The series was given higher compression ratios and higher gearing, resulting in a higher top speed.
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Gunn's motorcycle proved to be successful in competition and international competition. Soon, he expanded his offerings to include three-wheeled vehicles with larger capacity engines. Over seventy examples were created. In 1908 Gunn won the London to England reliability trim which earned him the Gold Medal for that year. In 1910 the Moscow-St Petersburg reliability trial was won by Lagonda.
When World War I broke out, the Lagonda factory was morphed to accommodate the war effort. Their primary duties were in building shells. After the war they returned to building automobiles and racers. Shortly thereafter, Gunn passed away, dying in 1920. Gunn's partner, Alf Cranmer, continued the operations. Cranmer had been with the company from 1904 until 1935.
At the 1925 London Motor Show, a two-liter hemispherical four-cylinder model was introduced. It excellent braking and superior construction continued its reputation for power and performance. A more sporting version, the 'speed', was introduced a two years later. In 1930 Lagonda adopted a supercharger to their 2-liter motor and achieved a 90-mph top speed.
In 1933 the Lagonda M45 was introduced at the London Motor Show. It came equipped with a Meadows engine of 4453 cc capacity. Lord de Clifford used a prototype to outrun a train traveling from London to Brindisi. The feat was done in 14 hours. Future versions of the M45 were later modified and entered into the 1934 Tourist Trophy and all three entrants finished in strong fashion. Road going versions of these vehicles were later offered to the public.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans race was, and still is, one of the most prestigious race. It was grueling for driver, team, and automobile. During the 1920's and 1930's Bentley and Alfa Romeo were the favored victors. In 1935 John Hindmarsh and Luis Fontes drove a Lagonda M45 Rapide 1,868.42 miles averaging 77.85 mph to an overall victory.
Sadly, this victory was not met with increased sales. Part of the decline was new speed restrictions of 30 mph across Britain. Declining sales sent the company into bankruptcy. The company was saved by Alan Good and the company was reformed as LG Motors and WO Bentley employed. Their first introduction was the LG45 which was based on the M45. It was given Girling brakes and a softer suspension. In total 278 examples were offered.
There were only 25 examples of the LG45 constructed. It came in only one bodsytle, a two-door four-seater tourer with cycle-type wings and chrome external exhausts. The series was given higher compression ratios and higher gearing, resulting in a higher top speed.
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