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1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide

1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Drophead Coupe

  • Chassis Number: 12224
  • Alan P. Good and Dick Watney rescued Lagonda from receivership in the mid-1930s, outbidding Rolls-Royce to acquire it. They quickly reorganized the business as LG Motors and recruited W.O. Bentley as chief engineer, along with most of his former engineering staff at Rolls-Royce. Bentley re-developed the existing M45 in the improved LG45, offered in two wheelbase lengths measuring 129- and 135-inches. Improvements and modifications included softer springs, updates to the M45's 'twin-plug' 4.5-liter Meadows engine, and new Girling brakes.

    Production of the LG45 lasted from 1935 through the end of 1937 in four batches or 'sanctions.' The Sanction 1 LG45 engines were similar to the M45. A twin-magneto ignition was added to the Sanction 2 cars, and the Sanction 3 introduced a completely redesigned cylinder head with directly-mounted carburetors. The Sanction 4 featured essentially the same engine as found in the Sanction 3. Gearboxes included the 'right hand' G9, Lagonda's first with synchromesh on the third and top, followed by the 'center change' G10, which added synchromesh to the second gear.

    Racing versions of the LG45 won its class at the French Grand Prix for sports cars and the Spa 24 Hours. They finished second in the Tourist Trophy, and beat Bentley at the Brooklands 500-mile race.

    During the LG45 models production lifespan, just 278 examples were produced and as few as 100 active and working examples are known to exist.

    This particular example was ordered on March 24th, 1937, and purchased on June 18th, 1937, by Richard Riegel, an American from Wilmington, Delaware. The next owner was Walter Emery who was working in the engineering department at Princeton University, reputed to have acquired the car from a Princeton student behind on gambling debts.

    This LG45 subsequently lost its engine and fell into dereliction. It was later found along with 12232 (another LG45 Drophead Coupe) by Rudy Wood-Muller, who purchased both cars from the McGowan brothers of Branford, Connecticut.

    The decision was made to restore 12224 from the chassis up including the engine and body of 12232. The work was completed in 1991, and the Lagonda embarked on a maiden voyage to France. After a main-bearing failure, the engine was switched from 12241, which powers the Lagonda today. After its return to the United States, the Lagonda was preserved and shown by Mr. Wood-Muller.

    By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2017

    2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Pacific Grove Auction

    Pre-Auction Estimates :
    USD $275,000-USD $325,000 
    Sale Price :
    USD $209,000

    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Auction Sales

    Recent Sales of the Lagonda LG45 Rapide

    (Data based on Model Year 1937 sales)
    1937 LAGONDA LG45 RAPIDE
    Chassis#: 12245/G10S
    Sold for USD$1,055,500
      2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Sport Tourer
    Chassis#: 12172/R
    Sold for USD$692,500
      2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  
    1937 LAGONDA LG45 RAPIDE REPLICA TOURER
    Chassis#: 12178/G10
    Sold for USD$223,236
      2022 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
     
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Drophead Coupe
    Chassis#: 12224
    Sold for USD$209,000
      2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Pacific Grove Auction
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  
    1937 LAGONDA LG45 SALOON DE VILLE
    Chassis#: 12257/G/10
    Sold for USD$117,188
      2016 Bonhams - Goodwood Members' Meeting
     
    1937 Lagonda 4½-Litre LG45 Rapide Tourer
    Chassis#: 12173/R
    Sold for USD$1,185,233
      2015 Bonhams : Bond Street Motor Car Sale
     
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide
    Chassis#: 12245/G10S
    Sold for USD$880,000
      2015 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Saloon De Ville
    Chassis#: 12212/G10
    Sold for USD$17,326
      2012 H & H Auctions - Rockingham Castle
     
    1937 Lagonda LG 45 Rapide Specification
    Sold for USD$296,802
      2012 Coys Auctions - Spring Classics
     
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Sports Tourer
    Chassis#: 12172
    Sold for USD$744,688
      2010 RM Auctions - Sporting Classics of Monaco
     
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Tourer
    Chassis#: 12167/G10
    Sold for USD$181,969
      2010 Bonhams - Automobiles d'Exception á Rétromobile
     
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide
    Sold for USD$671,000
      2006 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide image  
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Drophead Coupe
    Chassis#: 12226
    Sold for USD$119,151
      2003 Bonhams - Sports, Competition & Collectors' Motor Cars
     

    Lagonda LG45 Rapides That Failed To Sell At Auction

    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
    VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Tourer12267R/G10S/R2018 Bonhams : The Bond Street Sale $750,000$850,000
    1937 Lagonda LG45 M45 Le Mans ReplicaLG45/SB/120382016 Bonhams : The Willi Balz Collection Public Tender Sale $100,000$150,000
    1937 Lagonda LG 45 Rapide Specification 2013 Coys Blenheim Palace $165,000$185,000
    1937 Lagonda LG45 4½-Litre Drophead Coupe12158/G102012 Bonhams Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood $80,000$100,000

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    1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Vehicle Profiles