randall977 Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 I know this is not a TR4 but I came accross it last week and thought it might be of interest. Can anybody guess what it is? Yes I am trying to buy it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 (edited) It has a slight air of Facel Vega about it, but probably not. Ivor Edited November 4, 2010 by 88V8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
North London Mike Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Aston Martin Lagonda David Brown wanted a 4 seater to go shooting in ! DB based mechanicals / Vantage spec to carry the extra weight Original and best .................not that I've anything against wedges: I'll get my coat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 (edited) Aston Martin Lagonda Spot on, methinks. http://bringatrailer.com/2008/08/29/astons-square-sister-1963-lagonda-rapide/ and http://www.topspeed.com/cars/aston-martin/2009-aston-martin-rapide-ar32666.html I was thinking Facel Vega or Gordon Keeble, being the size it is and RHD. Hugely expensive to get it up and running, never mind a restoration it, and not worth all that much it seems when it's restored. AlanR Edited November 4, 2010 by TR 2100 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Lagondas appear regularly at our local Aston Martin specialists. Half again or even twice as much as an Aston to restore, and worth maybe a quarter as much when completed, if you're lucky. A licence to burn money, and if you haven't got a spare £50K minimum and preferably £100K don't even think about it. More use a as a mechanical donor for an Aston than anything else, but even that doesn't make it much more than a liability. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted November 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 (edited) Quite right Alec but actually many of the parts are not compatible with a DB4/5 even though they are simular. Even still I want it! Edited November 4, 2010 by randall977 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dazzer Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Nothing that a bit of T Cut and a foot pump wouldnt put right. Cheers Dazzer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Not a car I was really after but when I found it I had to try and buy it, which I've just managed to do! There will unfortunately be a TR4 related conciquence to my action... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Graham Robson Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 You can get treatnent for this sort of illness, you know .... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 (edited) You could write a good book about this car! Edited January 8, 2011 by randall977 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 "You can get treatnent for this sort of illness, you know ...." Although possibly not on the NHS, they don't usually offer Smith & Wesson on prescription . . . . . Russian roulette with 6 rounds springs to mind, possibly quicker and less painful than divorce and bankruptcy ? Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Ouch! It's not that bad, couple of patches, oil change and a good clean then it'll be done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris59 Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Randall, don't listen to these old poor things, they are inseanely jealous : if you don't buy it, I will BTW, where is my Smith & Wesson ? Chris. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Thanks Chris, I have actually bought it. Interestingly my dad was non too encouraging either, shame for him that he has to supply the cash for this project - ha! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 (edited) Well at least you are unlikely to see another one parked next to it As its got the superleggera body I would have a very careful look at the tubular frame that the shell is built on as they can be bu@@ers for rusting through the tubes in the most awkward places especially low down where the wing skins finish.(Having done a couple of Astons, DB4 and DB5 I know what they are like ) and there is an awful lot of paint on it . Mechanically not over difficult and very similar running gear to a MK 2 Jaguar except rear axle. I hope its 100% complete as its the silly small bits that are very difficult to find. Engines can be expensive to rebuild if they havent been regularly oil changed and run on antifreeze and the brake servos cost an arm and two legs for rebuild. Gear boxes are pretty bomb proof though. Trim will also be expensive especially the West of England headlining. Window rubbers may need some careful research and may need to bought off the roll. Shame its had what I expect was a very nice original number plate robbed off it as well.(The reflective number plate with the "A" registration is a bit of a giveaway ) Best of luck chap, I think it will make a nice car. Stuart. Edited January 8, 2011 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kiwifrog Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Christian, You could take a leaf out of the Hot Rod book and transform RAT ROD into RAT Classics then you can tell everyone that it cost a fortune to get that weathered look on it One thing is that it has a back seat for the kiddie(s) which is something I miss in my car Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Menno van Rij Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 I've never seen one of these! What a great car. Off course, restoration will be too expensive and too time consuming (aren't they all?), but this is soooo special! Good luck with the resto. I know that this is the TR4 page, so it's not the place to ask for restoration pictures on a regular basis, but I don't mind a regular opdate by PM! I'm interested! Menno Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 It will be a very complex project but like most of us on here I love a challenge and I love to restore! The TR4 still needs finishing and driving around for a few months to test the engine etc so I certianly won't be disappearing soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
88V8 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 .... I certainly won't be disappearing soon. Don't sell the 4 Five years to restore this superb car/moneypit (delete as appropriate) and whatever the TR4 would fetch will be a drop in the ocean... do you really want to be without a classic car for five years? Mind you, you could always sit in the Lag wearing your tweed jacket and make suitable noises... vroom vroom parp parp Ivor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4Tony Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 I know of another .... its a £100k money pit and worth less than half that done .... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 As with all cars it's very easy to spend far more on it than it's worth. I won't be paying someone to do the work on mine. I also know someone who restored a poor example but only spent £20K + 3000 hours. I am optomistic but not unrealistic - the last one sold for £84K last year. It's easy to forget the energy of youth as you get older and that energy can get a lot done... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Superleg: aluminium skin wrapped round steel wires at edges (eg wheel arches). Add salt: electrolytic corrosion, ali turns to dust. IIRC DB4s had ali welded to steel around screen supports- very clever. Sides of bottom of engine compartment - hidden by engine from view!- looked like they have been stitched together from biscuit tin lids. You're welcome. Bears no comparison to restoring a TR. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Badfrog Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 (edited) Hi Randall, Lovely car and a true original. Once rebuilt, have it test-driven by Jerry Clarkson and ask him to write about it. Everytime you'll be looking for your .357 SW, read the Clarkson paper instead. Might be the only good laugh you'll ever get from an alloy-bodied chicken coop based on chemical battery technology. The mouse nest in the gearbox should be a good moment too. Cheers, Badfrog PS: "Every check you make, I'll be watching you" Sting. Edited January 9, 2011 by Badfrog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 If someone paid £84K for a Rapide that redefines the concept of getting carried away at auctions . . . . need their bumps feeling. £20K for a decent one and £30K for a beauty might be nearer the mark, tops. I used to drive one as a tow car, best part of 40-odd years back, it must have cost 5 grand new and at less than 10 years old wasn't worth even a monkey. Nothing more than a sporty Super Snipe, a barge with more grunt underbonnet and less room inside. The owner had a brace of DB4s, they were light years apart. The only memorable aspect was the fuel consumption and the undersize tank - must have been 16 or 18 gallons, which meant 200 miles cruising with a very light foot, or not much over 100 miles hoofing it with a trailer behind. That and the tyre wear, the Rapide could shed tread standing still. Didn't last long before being replaced by a Humber Imperial, which did the job better for perhaps one third the running cost. I admire your ambition, but by crikey you're going to have to learn some skills, a nightmare to work on even at less than 10 years old - at nearly half a century, rather you than me !! Best of British. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randall977 Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Well, as I said to my dad yesterday who was equally grumpy - you would have gone for it when you were my age...to which he agreed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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