Lagonda Rapiers

5 minute(s) of a 484 minute read

May 1st. Meanwhile the 1922/4 Fiat 501 has taken "Pole Position" while "KG" is having a well earned rest. It did actually go out one morning last week, our Grand-daughter, Helena, who was visiting from South Australia, insisted on being taken for a short drive which was enjoyed by all.

5-15-2018

Hi-ya-all

Not too much movement on the "KG" front for the moment. My life partner and navigator 'Helen' has just this afternoon had surgery to replace her right hip joint with some state of the art modern engineering. I have no doubt that she will be out and about "telling me where to go" very soon. She is seen here re-arranging our luggage at the "Pit-counters" at the Historic Reims circuit in Northern France.

Having enlarged the photograph I can see that there is a "rally plate" on the front of the Rapier, This is from the Lagonda Club's "Champagne Rally" held in 1999 to celebrate the Centenary of the Lagonda Company.  Since then the "touring": luggage rack on the rear of "KG" has been modified to lower its centre of gravity and to cut down wind resistance.

5-18-2018

Hello again

I know I am constantly singing the praises of the enthusiastic people who run the Rapier Register.

Todays mail brought the copy of the new Register for this year.

I would be happy to be proved wrong but I know of no other car club run entirely by volunteers than provide the members with so much information that is brought up to date at least once a year. I must remind you that the combined production of both Lagonda Rapiers and the Rapier Car Company's very small number of cars produced amount in total to just under 400 cars.

I will not attempt to copy all 44 pages but give you a typical example but first I must remind you the the membership of the Register amounts to just 166

First I will reproduce the Registrar's "Notes"

You may like to note that in the UK unlike some other countries, cars registered during the 1920s, 30s & 40s kept the same registration number for their "life".

i.e. My Rapier first registered  in Cardiff Wales, KG 5363 on 8th June 1935 has kept this number for the whole of its UK life and for the purposes of the Register is still known by this number today, 83 years later!

So as not to breach the confidence of my fellow members I will only show the information related to myself and my own car as an example of the thoroughness of the Registrars. The current membership amounts to 166 world wide. The first section of the "Register" amounts to the Members details.

These details occupy the first 16 pages. The next section relates directly to :-

As you can see this covers all the essential details of each car. Again out of respect to the other members privacy I shall use my own car as an example.

The next listing covers a total of 42 Cars with known Chassis numbers but unknown Registration numbers.

Finally the cars are listed by their Chassis numbers where this is known

Lagonda's Chassis Number                   Engine Number                        Original UK Registration Number

The next to last two or three pages are devoted to the winners of the three "Club Trophies". The Ashcroft Trophy awarded in memory of Tim Ashcroft the Designer of the Rapier, This is awarded for "Sporting Achievements" being first awarded in 1960. The next trophy is the Baily Trophy first awarded in 1968 and up until 1978 for voluntary services to the Register then from 1979 for the best car (Concours) at the AGM. The third trophy is the ElderTrophy awarded in memory of Elliot Elder one of the founding members. This is awarded in recognition of exceptional voluntary service to the Register.

The Final page is devoted to an alphabetical listing of current members including their "membership Number. In total over the years since the Register's founding in 1956 some 1110 Rapier owners have joined the Register.  Present membership is 166 owning between them 185 cars.

Bernie j.

For some unknown reason I am unable to delete the duplicated heading below!