Lagonda Rapiers

5 minute(s) of a 484 minute read

I could see that tree coming and thinking "that is going to be nasty" it all happened in slow motion. Helen's door would not open so we had to climb out very carefully. She was a little jumpy for the rest of the day. I was so relieved that there was no serious damage, that we could continue the event.
I am now hard at work preparing the car for our next visit to the UK & France early next year, we plan to be away for three months using the car as our daily transport. Apart from everything else i have to replace all the Friction Linings so the car can come back into Australia without contravening  the laws regarding asbestos. This includes the linings in the Preselector gearbox. This is a major job requiring the complete dismantling and rebuilding of the gearbox .

11-10-2018

OK! I never accept that "these things just happen", there is a reason behind everything. Looking at all thge facts I reasoned that the rear brakes were just not doing their job, I have to have the brakes relined before the car goes of on its little tour to the UK & France. Removing the rear brake drums has shown a build up of grease on the rear brake shoes so it is just as well that I am replacing them. In the process I have also removed and dismantled the brake expander mechanism.
As mentioned these Girling brakes were new for 1934 and the Rapier was one of the first cars to adopt them. OK, are you still "with me" The first photograph shows the component parts of a brake expander. When pressure was applied to the foot brake pedal. This motion via a series of rods pulled on a tapered cone within the brake expander. This in turn caused the two small rollers to transfer this pressure to the two plungers that acted directly onto the ends of the brake shoes, These in turn applied pressure against the inside of the brake drum hence slowing the rotation of the wheel and eventually stopping the car.

Firstly, Without Helen I could not achieve any of the things that I accomplish. We both agree that we are exceptionally lucky with our combined lives, she turns 80 in a few days time* and I have just had my 82nd birthday. The Rapier, first registered in in England in 1935 is now 83 years old. It would have left the Lagonda Factory in 1934 as a completed chassis. Bodies as I am sure I have explained previously, were left for customer to choose a Coachbuilder and a body style.
The crucial factor that I failed to explain is that there is also an opposing taper  in the end of the plunger. This multiplies the effort exerted on the brake shoes
The adjustment is as you suggest at the other end of the brake shoes. This again shows some brilliant thinking on the part of its designer.The drawings, below, from my battered and much used copy of Practical Automobile Engineering shows this far better than mere words!
 
Bj.
 
* I wonder how many other Eighty year old ladies would choose to drive for two or three hours in pouring rain, in an open car, The hood (top) carefully stowed away, from choice. Admittedly as any "enthusiast" can tell you, most if not all the rain goes over the windscreen and over the driver & passenger's head.

Further to the above, as Helen will tell you, "You dress appropriately", as shown in this photo. Helen can take videos using her iPad but she is usually too busy Navigating. i.e.. Telling me where to go!  We use paper maps, electronic devises are generally not permitted in "competitive" events.
 
Bj
 
Re "Hoods"
Little Red Ridinghood always had  one attached to her favourite red winter overcoat.

Some of you will have seen these photographs before. I am sorry if I am boring you all.