Lagonda Rapiers

3 minute(s) of a 484 minute read

Sadly despite a huge amount of effort we only managed two or three weeks of frustrating motoring before our very expensively rebuilt gearbox decided that it had suffered enough and that it refused to go even another mile.
During  all that time TopGear remained out of action and the brave little car just decided that French Motor-way speeds in third gear, mile after mile at 5,500 RPM was  expecting too much. I dread to think what the final cost will be especially after I add the cost of ‘recovery vehicles’ including one 4-5 hour journey across England . Add to that 2/3months car hire and the return sea voyage from England to Australia.
We fly home next week and the Lagonda will follow us by sea arriving  back in Australia in 8-10 weeks time.
Only then will Ibe able to dismantle the gearbox my self to discover where the problem lies.

8-15-2019

Now for the bad news, the Lagonda will not be starting its voyage home for some time, having agreed to share a 40 ft containerwith two MGs, rather than ship the car home in a 20 ft by itself I have just this morning discovered that one of these (MGs) will not be ready for shipping until the end of September. While it is tempting to say "Stuff the MGs" and ship the car on its own, as it did on the journey to England. There is a significant saving to be had by waiting. Right now my piggy bank is somewhat depleted, just the unexpected cost of the car hire for three months has given it a nasty shock.  Some serious thinking is required!

8-17-2019

Now  we are finally back home in Australia. I have been informed for some reason beyond my control I am informed that the Lagonda will not be back in Australia until end of November or early December.
Meanwhile I have asked my friends at Cars UK (my shipping people) to remove the top from the gearbox and photograph what they see.
Attached are two photographs one taken yesterday the other from a yet to be published new "Manual" for the ENV 75 gearbox, as fitted to the Lagonda.