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I saw these and though they would be the closest you were going to find, I think a very good choice.
Looking at the Brooklands of Bond Street order Sheet for 1961-65.
The majority of the “Customers” were garages. The few private owners – four in all are clearly listed. When it comes to 126, the name is written as follows, in a unique manner for the order sheet :
: Thomas :
The only person listed as such for 23 Rapides. Also this name has been added it seems in another hand to the rest of the entry, just to complicate matters, it appears as an informal entry, and suggests the car was a “signed for collection” by this individual.
It is likely that the car was signed for by a wealthy friend from the film world, so the more likely connection, is actually Gerald Thomas (director of 30 of the Carry on Films), who worked on a regular basis with Rogers, and his biography suggests they had a good relationship.
This reminds me, has anyone checked the 1963 Carry on Films, for a picture of this car, it just might be in one of them in a parking lot as well….
Nurse on Wheels (1963), Carry On Cabby (1963), Carry On Jack (1963) etc
However, another member of the forum has emailed me and suggested why not the famous Terry Thomas, who was also well known to Peter Rogers.
There are clearly several possibilities, none of which can be really narrowed down any further.
Lets not forget that the important thing here is the Build Sheet and original Log Book which both show the original customer/owner was Beaconsfield Films, (always owned, only by Peter Rogers and his wife Betty) and more importantly, where the car was kept, guess where in Beaconsfield, Drummers Yard….
The house, Drummers Yard, being purchased from an actor in Doctor in Distress, Dirk Bogarde, typical I would imagine of such thespian plots…
One can go further and pull down the Company records as I did, very interesting for Beaconsfield Films. Just a shame that in this awful movie, it has to be a Rolls and not a Lagonda which has a starring role.
Before I forget, thank you for your interest in my car, this is very much appreciated.
A friend of mine had a ride in this car on the DBR2 day, and said it was very confortable indeed. It was his first ride in a Rapide and he was very impressed.
David hi
My record on the build sheet, appears to show that Brooklands received 126 on 7th of March 1963.
See this html for a nice period view :
http://www.carsfortheconnoisseur.com/history2009/may2009.html
I suspect then that your Mr. Thomas may have been a Finance Director or more likley the Chauffeuer entrusted to pick up the car, but it was not registered in their name. The first owner name is very clear on all other records including with DVLA, but of course in Company Name.
if you look over the log book of 126, you will see the name appears to be N A W???…….s (hard to read surname, could be Thomas, I really can’t tell, take a look and let me know what you think), company secretary, is how this perosn who signed for the car was listed.
Would you mind forwarding to me please this other information:
“Brooklands of Bond Street to a Mr Thomas under order number BS12819 on 8 Mar 1963.” I would be most grateful for this.
I think the year is correct, and I was going to ask if 117 being the works demonstrator, had been resprayed to another color to suit customers choice, you have beaten me to it!
I have followed up lead with Mr. Lancey, waiting to hear from him, any other suggestions ?
David hi
Further developments from information received this morning from the Archive Curator at AM Heritage Trust;
101 – at Paris MotorShow in 1961
105 at London Motorshow in 1961
110 at New York Motor-Show in April 1962 (117R was works demonstrator).
See this link in black and white:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/auto-show-in-new-york
The car not visible, just checked.
102 (broken up ? and 104 (left hand drive) taken to Geneva Motor-Show in 1961/62
Motor-Show Records for October 1962 not available at AMHT.
Am now trying to speak to Mr. Lancey, possibly has further records regarding to the Rapide.
David hi
My records differ for 126.
Agent agreed was Brooklands of Bond Street.
Delivered to Agent on 7th March 1963
Delivered and Guarantee Period on 8th March 1963 (In acordance with the Log Book and Build Sheet). I had double checked these details with Aston Service, Dorset who hold the Build Sheets and kindly sent me a copy of documentation in their file for a nominal fee.
However, please do note, that both the Build Sheet and the original Log Book (which I have) state the original purchaser / owner was Beaconsfield Films and not a Mr. Thomas.
However, what I an after is when the car was actually built and ordered, if I am correct all these cars were to personal order, and not the final delivery date.
I guess a phone call call to AM Heritage would be in order, to find out some more details.
The possibility exists of course that the British Pathe archive has made a mistake with the year for the Motor-Show.
However, 1962 was the year the Ford Cortina and Triumph Spitfire both debuted, and they both have prominent roles in this film. The Cortina gets a starring role right at the begining as well.
The title words give another clue, to the UK’s earlier application to enter the Common market in 1962, a failed application and again in 1967.
There is also a full length Pathe film for highlights of the year 1962, with the same moto-show clip on it in black and white.
Thank you for the clarification, had checked this morning and wondered if I was missing something.
May I assume that the DB4 has a similar spec to the dash-board as well ?
David hi
May I re-phrase your question.
When were 126 and 129 actually built, or the order taken ?
The reason I ask is my Lagonda 3.0 litre dhc, car was built/ ordered on 28/10/1954 and delivered on 04/1955?
My car 126 has a fair few extras changes to normal spec, and one wonders if it is 126 or 129. If I cam correct 129 has picnic tables, what a shame there is no view of the back-seats, since mine are the special sculpted type, to allow for people with longer legs to sit comfortably in the back.
Would the AM factory have any records which car they took to the motor-show or the Motor Show organisers them selves (or too many changes of management) ?
David hi
Excellent news, I have found the Pathe Film in Techni-Color from 1962 for the London Motor Show, see this link:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/motor-show-5/query/lagonda
The car is my favourite color for a Rapide, Aegean Blue with white-gold or ivory interior, this car looks very familar if I may say so!!
This starts at 6.03 minutes on a 6.20 muntes clip.
David – I will pull mine out and take a good look, and post some pictures, complete and aprtially dismantled and see what people have to say.
Where is the second cigar/cigarette lighter located, can only remember seeing one in my car ?
I am hoping that Guy who has a fully restored car might take a look and care to comment ??
I had put my radio away in box and forgotten about it to be honest. Once I started undoing the dash and lower access panels, and checking / mapping the loom, against that, another very kind Rapide owner supplied from the DB4 work-shop manual.
There are a quite few subtle differences, even on something as straightforward as the ignition relay.
I have pulled the radio out from storage and thanks for this now “rather old picture of my radio” – Spot on Tim, the Lagonda logo is clearly visible on my radio. Good clear picture, don’t know how you got that, in the very poor light in that garage, well done, will add it my file, thank you !
I will take the top and front off and try and get a good picture or two, for those who would like to copy this lagonda logo, and will also supply dimensions as well.
David – I knew you would spot this posting and we have put the short clip onto our wide screen and done some resolution enhancement.
However, the quality of the film clip is very poor, my best guestimate is a pale color, so would go with either fawn or white.
Does this help at all, are there any records for which car was the motor-show car in that year, or is there a choice of several possible cars ??
One wonders if there were similar Pathe round-ups for 1963 and 1964 ?
The car is currently on its 3rd registration.
The 2nd registration was also a personal number which was retained by the second owner.
Once I get a little more organised I hope to reclaim the original number back.
An excellent memory I see from just one look at the car….
Yes it has the original fitment Motorola 707 I believe as specified on Build Sheet. I have not removed it yet, to test it or see if it has the illuminated Lagonda.
You need to open the pdf file, and then you see will a lot more pictures and detail.