Aston Martin DB4 Rapide Touring Superleggera
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Car producer : |
Aston Martin |
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Model: |
DB4 Rapide Touring Superleggera |
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Year: |
1961-1964 |
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Type: |
Sedan |
The Lagonda Rapide was a hand built four-door GT car; an iconic luxury four-door sports saloon produced from 1961 until 1964.
Based on the Aston Martin DB4, it was David Brown's attempt to revive the Lagonda marque which he had purchased in 1948. It marked a revival of the Rapide model name which had been used by Lagonda during the 1930s. The car featured DB4 rear end styling and a horse collar Lagonda grille a little similar to Ford's Edsel.
The car had dual circuit, servo-assisted disc brakes, and a mere 55 units, almost all of which were equipped with Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission, were built before production ceased in 1964.Beneath the Rapide's Superleggera aluminium coachwork (by Touring of Milan, the carrozzeria responsible for the Aston Martin DB4 sports car) was a lengthened (by 16") DB4 platform-type chassis reconfigured to accept De Dion rear suspension, the adoption of which allowed rear compartment space to be maximised. The exterior body panels were constructed from aluminium alloy over a Superleggera tubular steel frame. The interior was upholstered in leather and had a burled walnut dashboard, while fittings to the traditional 'gentlemen's club' interior included electric windows, picnic tables to the rear, filler cap remote opener and a radio as standard.
However, 55 vehicles were produced, of which about 48 are known today.
