1937 Lagonda LG45 Rapide
- Engine
- 4.47L inline-six (Meadows), 'Sanction 3' tune, 7:1–7.5:1 compression ratio
- Colour
- Matching green with fawn mohair hood
The Lagonda LG45 Rapide was a factory-bodied sporting variant of the LG45, with coachwork designed by Frank Feeley — later responsible for the Aston Martin DB2 — and just 25 examples constructed at Staines. Chassis 12267R, the 24th built, left the factory in late 1937 finished in green. It passed through several British owners before a full restoration and subsequent acquisition by US collector George Chilberg, who exhibited it at Pebble Beach and Newport Beach concours events over nearly three decades. Repatriated to the UK after 2013, it received comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic work to return it to its original green livery.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$750,000 – US$850,000
- —Auction saleEstimate US$600,000 – US$700,000
- 1937 →Factory deliveryFirst London ownerpartial documentation
Car delivered via Keevil and March of Berkeley Square, finished in green with green leather and fawn hood. Registered as ELB 396.
- 1956 → 1984Acquisition unknownCambridge-based doctorpartial documentation
Remained within this family for roughly three decades.
- 1984 →Acquisition unknownUnknown restorerpartial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive restoration that included repainting the car red and retrimming the interior in cream leather.
- → 2013Acquisition unknownGeorge Chilbergpartial documentation
Noted American collector who retained the car for nearly three decades and exhibited it at prominent concours events in the US.
- 2013 →Acquisition unknownPost-2013 UK ownerpartial documentation
Repatriated the car to Britain, had it refinished in original green by Moto Technique, retrimmed by O'Rourke Coachtrimmers, and underwent extensive mechanical work by Bishopgrey between late 2013 and spring 2015.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBristol-based industrialistpartial documentation
Car passed through this owner's hands before returning to London and residing in Hampstead.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownHampstead-based ownerpartial documentation
During this period, factory service records document replacement of hood, tonneau, and side screens with mohair items in 1951, plus rear body bracket repairs.
Competition
- 19991999 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Exhibited by George Chilberg during his ownership.
- 20062006 Newport Beach Concours
Shown by George Chilberg as part of his long-term ownership.
- 20132013 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance
Appeared at this event around the time of the 2013 ownership change, prior to being returned to the UK.
- 20152015 Flying Scotsman Rally
Entered following completion of extensive mechanical and cosmetic work carried out between late 2013 and early 2015.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1951RepairLagonda Works Service Department
Replacement of hood, tonneau cover, and side screens with new mohair items, plus repair and reinforcement of the rear body mounting brackets, as noted in Works Service Department records.
- 2013MechanicalBishopgrey
Extensive mechanical and bodywork repairs and finishing carried out over approximately 17 months at a total cost of around £50,000.
Work spanned November 2013 to April 2015; Bishopgrey described as a marque specialist.
- —Restoration
Full restoration undertaken after 1984 acquisition, involving a colour change from green to red and a new cream leather interior.
Commissioned by the owner who acquired the car in 1984; completion date not specified.
- —BodyworkMoto Technique Ltd
Car refinished in its original green livery by Moto Technique Ltd at a cost exceeding £39,000.
Part of post-repatriation refurbishment programme begun after 2013.
- —BodyworkO'Rourke Coachtrimmers
Interior retrimmed in Connolly hide by specialist coachtrimmers at a cost exceeding £37,000.
Carried out as part of the same post-repatriation refurbishment programme.
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