LAs Best 1939 Lagonda V-12 Rapide

LAs Best 1939 Lagonda brand was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by Wilbur Gunn, an American born in Springfield, Ohio, who emmigrated to England.
The strange name “Lagonda” comes from Anglo-French contamination of the name Ough Ohonda, given by the American indians to the river that runs through Springfield. Lagonda made itself a fairly good name in some competitions. It even became a favourite car of Tsar Nicola II after the victory in St Petersburg-Moscow-St Petersburg race.

After Gunn’s death in 1920, Lagonda changed several owners and produced a series of little gems at the end of 20’s and the beginning of 30’s. One of these was the famous Rapier that was able to reach 120 km/h (a speed of all respect at the time, even if the more renowned racing cars were already exceeding 160 km/h) with its engine of just about 1100 cc. and it was praised by Nuvolari as “a small Alfa”.

W. O. Bentley’s era
In spite of the quality of its products, the company was not strong enough to survive and it went bancrupt in 1935. It was the 30 years old investor Alan P. Good who re-launched it and entrusted the department of design to the famous W. O. Bentley. At the time, Bentley was the orphan of the homonymous “Bentley” company that was bought by Rolls Royce.
Bentley, who had no intensions to stay Rolls Royce’s employee for life accepted the job and fully entered his possition at the “new” Lagonda of Good.
In 1935, Bentley dedicates himself to the project of the new Lagonda, together with his exceptional staff of designers. Among these were Stuart Tresillian and Charles Sewell, the ex-employees of Rolls Royce as well.
Bentley will have to face many difficulties, considering the poor conditions of the factory (he once said he saw the rain coming inside), but his efforts will be well rewarded. The result is a 4.5 litter V 12 in 60° vee, with a benchmark of almost 160 Hp (that were promoted as 180);

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