1936 Lagonda Rapier

The Lagonda Rapier was a small car produced first by Lagonda and after mid 1936 by the independent “Rapier Cars Ltd” in London.

Only 46 were produced with the Ranalah body before the outbreak of the war.

Designed by Charles King, the chassis comprises bolted-together steel sections. The engine is connected to a four-speed preselector gearbox and the Girling system rod-operated brakes feature large 13-inch (330 mm) drums. Suspension is provided by half-elliptic springs controlled by friction dampers.

The Ranalah body was a creation of John Dalrymple and Charles Livesay, former employees of Chalmer & Hoyer. After the collapse of their previous company, they established John Charles & Co, quickly attracting a diverse clientele and producing various saloons and open bodies on different chassis. They also adopted the name "Ranalah" as a brand for some of their body designs. Unfortunately, rapid growth strained their finances, leading to the company's failure in early 1935.

Under the hood of this tourer, you'll find a four-cylinder, twin-overhead-camshaft engine with a displacement of 1, 141cc, capable of producing 45bhp with twin SUs. This car is built on a sturdy chassis frame and features an ENV four-speed preselector transmission, along with 13" diameter Girling brakes, enhancing its overall performance and driving experience.