DB Rapide

The Rapide which appeared at the Motor Show of 1961 was a large comfortable saloon, entirely in the prewar Lagonda idiom, styled by Touring of Milan and featuring a 4 litre straight six engine which was an enlarged version of the current DB4. Front suspension was by wishbones and a de Dion rear suspension featured.

Frank Feeley had left the company when the bulk of manufacturing moved to Newport Pagnell in 1957 since he did not want to disrupt his son’s education, so he had taken a job in the aircraft industry where his unique talent was totally wasted. Hence the choice of Touring. Opinion was divided on the body shape and few at the time liked the front, where a stylised Lagonda radiator didn’t really gel with the 1960s rest. Rumour has it that it was only a very last minute decision by David Brown to call it a Lagonda.   

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