1938 Lagonda V-12 Rapide Drophead Coupé
- Engine
- 4.5L 60-degree V12, twin SOHC, four SU carburetors (Sanction II upgrade), ~206 bhp
- Colour
- Dark green over ivory
Chassis 14068 is believed to be the first Lagonda V-12 Rapide drophead coupé built, one of only twelve such bodies penned by Frank Feeley on the short 124-inch wheelbase. Delivered in October 1938 to British construction heir Alfred James McAlpine, it was returned to the Lagonda works in 1941 and upgraded to Sanction II Marine specification — four SU DAL carburetors and revised firing order — matching the Le Mans team cars. The engine, carburetors, and manifold survive intact. After decades in American ownership, the car was fully restored in Austria and later refinished in Britain for Lord Bamford. It took first in class at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,200,000 – US$1,500,000
- 1938-10-01 → 1955-12-01Factory deliveryAlfred James McAlpinefull documentation
Car was delivered new and later returned to the factory in 1941 for a significant engine upgrade to Sanction II specification with four-carburetor setup matching the Le Mans team cars.
- 1955-12-01 →Private saleArthur Ormsbypartial documentation
Purchased from McAlpine; no further details on tenure length or disposition given.
- → 1983Acquisition unknownStephen A. Lincolnpartial documentation
Based in Sparta, New Jersey; an early CCCA member who participated in East Coast Lagonda gatherings including annual Princeton football game appearances documented in period photographs.
- 1983 →AuctionMassachusetts gentleman from Lincoln estate salepartial documentation
Acquired through Lincoln's estate sale; held for roughly two years before selling on.
- → 1991Private saleDr. Terry Bennettpartial documentation
New Hampshire-based collector; car passed to next owner from his collection.
- 1991 → 1997Private saleKnox Kershawpartial documentation
Kept the car in largely unaltered, highly original condition at his Alabama residence for approximately six years before being persuaded to sell.
- 1997 →Private saleDr. Winfried Kallingerfull documentation
Austrian owner who commissioned a thorough restoration by Plus Four and had the engine rebuilt by Crosthwaite & Gardiner, including fabrication of new crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, and camshafts; receipts retained.
- Date unknownPrivate saleLord Bamfordpartial documentation
British collector who engaged Clark & Carter to refinish the body and interior in dark green over ivory and carry out further mechanical work including carburetor overhaul, brake renewal, and chassis lubrication system service.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAmerican Lagonda collection ownerpartial documentation
Most recent prior custodian; entered the car in concours events at Pebble Beach and Hampton Court Palace.
Competition
- 19391939 Le Mans 24 Hours3rd and 4th overall, 1st and 2nd in class (team cars, not this chassis)
Two factory V-12s with Sanction II four-carburetor engines finished strongly despite being deliberately speed-restricted by W.O. Bentley; intended as preparation for a more serious 1940 effort that the war prevented.
- 20172017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in Class
- —Concours d'Elegance at Hampton Court Palace
Exhibited at Hampton Court shortly before the auction catalogue was written, described as a return to the car's country of origin.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1941ModificationLagonda Works
Car returned to the Lagonda factory and upgraded to Sanction II Marine specification: revised firing order and a new intake manifold fitted with four SU DAL carburetors, matching the configuration used on the 1939 Le Mans team cars. Output raised to approximately 206 bhp. Engine, carburetors, and manifold remain original to this upgrade.
Commissioned during McAlpine's ownership; components survive unaltered to the present day.
- 1997RestorationCrosthwaite & Gardiner
Comprehensive restoration carried out by the firm Plus Four, with the engine fully rebuilt by Crosthwaite & Gardiner. New crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, and camshafts were machined. Supporting receipts are held in the car's file.
Commissioned by Dr. Kallinger; Plus Four handled the broader restoration while Crosthwaite & Gardiner undertook the engine work.
- —RestorationClark & Carter
Bodywork and interior refinished to a dark green over ivory scheme. Mechanical work included carburetor overhaul, throttle body rebuild, new brake linings and hoses, and overhaul of the centralised chassis lubrication system.
Carried out during Lord Bamford's ownership; scope covered both cosmetic and mechanical elements.
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