Renault 1929 RY1 Monasix

3 minute(s) of a 217 minute read

Just to give you some idea of size the attached photograph shows the two sheets of aluminium standing against the carport wall next to the Lagonda Rapier. For the people who struggle with metric sizes the sheets are 4'0" ft X 11'10"ft. I am not sure of their weight but the combination of size and weight make them an awkward lift for one person so the sooner I can start to cut them up the better. Cutting them up by hand should give my hand and wrist muscles a work-out. First task is to make some heavy brown paper patterns to suit the frame. Temperature in the carport this morning is just under 5 degrees Centigrade. At least it is not raining.

Bj.

8-18-2015

Bill 

There is no shame in not knowing about Lagonda Rapiers, The company built about 250 chassis from July 1934 until  they went into receivership in July 1935. Three of the departing exceutives took over the unassembled Rapier parts and assembled another  approx 90 chassis from 1936 to 38. These later cars were badged  as Rapiers the Lagonda name being ground off the Cam covers and a new radiator badge fitted. They have a 1100cc 4 cylinder 2ohc engine that is built like a Swiss watch They used an ENV 4 speed Preselector gearbox. The "factory" never built bodies on Rapier chassis sending them out to independent coachbuilders for bodies to be built to order for the custoner. These days about 75% of the cars sold still survive thanks to the efforts of the UK based Rapier Register. Our car has a replica (coachbuilt) Eagle two seater body, over the years the engine has grown to 1500cc. The engines had an unheard of in 1934 fully machined counter-balanced crankshaft with 2 inch big end journals. As they left the factory the engines were safe to rev to 6,000 rpm and many still do this on a regular basis. Our car has a comfortable 90+mph top speed with two occupants and luggage for a weekend. I bought the car in 1978 as a broken down very scruffy racing car, Since I restored the car shortly after buying it, it has travelled over 100,000 miles both in Australia and on holidays in the UK and Europe. It has an impressive list of European Alpine Passes climbed during our various holidays. I have a dedicated thread "Lagonda Rapiers" under British cars in this forum. http://forums.aaca.org/topic/183184-lagonda-rapier

This is the fifth Lagonda Rapier I have owned, I have never owned any other car as long as this one so I guess that you could say that it is something special.

The photo below shows the car racing in 1977 in England shortly before I bought it. The two engine photographs show the engine as it is today.