Dixie Flyer "Firefly" speedster photographs

4 minute(s) of a 91 minute read

Hi Allan

Sorry about the cold. 

The Lagonda Rapier has an ENV 75 preselector gearbox which explains the in-line selector.

For those who don't know, a preselector is an epicyclic transmission similar in many ways to an automatic except that the required gear is selected manually then engaged by pressing in the "Change" pedal which is in a similar position to a clutch. To complicate matters the "Rapier" transmission included a normal clutch operated by the same pedal the idea being that this reduces wear on the gearbox "brake" bands.

Most other cars fitted with "Preselector" Transmissions have either a fluid flywheel (Daimler) or an centrifugal clutch (Riley and Armstrong Siddley) Some others (Crossley Triumph and Alta) just relied on the "brake bands" 

Hope this helps. 

People have written books on the subject without actually explaining in layman terms how these things work. Other people have made their fortune offering to "overhaul" them. Once you take one apart everything becomes clear. Sadly lots of people take them apart then take fright and never put them back together so the car is declared dead until someone else comes along and hopefully puts it all back together again.

And this is the short reply!

1-29-2010

Of course I forgot to mention MG. For the people with Octagon shaped eyes and who only wear Brown and Cream underwear, the famous K3's also used an ENV 75 box with similar ratios to the Rapier, the "works" racers had even closer ratios.

In answer to your question "Do we drive the Rapier much?"

Yes! We did over 6,000 miles in Europe during the three months we were away with it last year and use it once or twice a month here in Victoria mainly on local club events plus the odd interstate drive to events in New South Wales and South Australia.

During my ownership over the last 30 years it has never been on a trailer and has only once failed to return home under its own power.

As we say here "It is built for Going not for Showing".

West Peterson has the copy and photographs covering our week in the French Alps with two other Australian friends in their Rapiers. Perhaps he will find space in the magazine for it some time.

1-30-2010

Hi Alan

I had just finished a long and in depth explanation to you when my internet connection dropped out and I have lost the lot. One day I will send you a private e-mail with the full story. One thing is certain is that we certainly are not rich. I can only afford to keep one car fully operational by doing everything on it myself and don't have room to store any "for a rainy day". 

The Alfa 33 is my everyday driver and work horse, We have owned the Lagonda Rapier for over 30 years. Helen's VW Jetta Turbo Diesel is our only "modern" car. We live on a suburban 1/5 of an acre lot with a double carport and a single car "garage/workshop".

I am now 73 and have survived a serious encounter with cancer 7 years ago. To us life is very precious and we live every day to the fullest. We both love travel and taking the car costs less that one business class air fare from Melbourne to London one way. 

Having it in the UK and Europe is the best entree card you could ever wish for! It opens doors that otherwise would be forever closed.

Cheers

Just in case you are wondering......

One or two glasses of Good Australian Shiraz per day works wonders!