Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tues 22nd September 2026 from 12pm
Auction: Weds 23rd September 2026 12pm
Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
Registration No: DPL 18
Chassis No: 11475
MOT: Exempt
Bodied when new as a Ranalah Tourer
Known ownership history from 1938, including long-term ownership from 1959 until 2010
Acquired by the vendor, a multiple Rapier owner, in 2014
Supplied with a history file and pleasingly retains its original registration number
Introduced at the 1933 Olympia Motor Show, the Lagonda Rapier was intended to capitalise on the growing market for small-capacity sports cars. Although based around a conventional ladder-frame chassis complete with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension and four-wheel Girling 13in. drum brakes, the newcomer boasted a highly advanced engine. The work of consultant Thomas ‘Tim’ Ashcroft, the 1, 104cc four-cylinder unit utilised twin overhead camshafts to produce a quoted 50bhp at 5, 400rpm. Praised by the contemporary motoring press for its performance, refinement and agility, the model was supplied in bare chassis guise only and bodied by the likes of E. D. Abbott, John Charles, Maltby and E. J. Newns. Prohibitively expensive to manufacture, the Rapier was dropped when the Staines firm went into administration during 1935. Convinced that the reborn Lagonda (LG Motors Ltd) had made a mistake, Tim Ashcroft, William Oates and Nevil Brockelbank secured the rights to the little sports car shortly thereafter. Operating as Rapier Cars Ltd. of Hammersmith, they contributed a further 46 cars to the total production tally of 470 before closing their doors in 1938.
This lovely Rapier was originally constructed with a tourer body by Ranalah and was issued with the registration ‘DPL 18’, which it pleasingly retains. Ownership records are known from March, 1938, when it belonged to J. E. Doidge & Son of the Park Garage, Hermit Road, London, E16. The following April, it was sold to John Charles George Gilbert of Wimbledon, and in October, 1939, it passed to Peter Temple Williams, who was associated with the naval barracks in Portsmouth. It then passed to Douglas J. Berrington of Usk in May, 1940, and Arthur Edward Slocombe of Christchurch in September, 1941.
Next known to have been purchased in 1959 by Roy Anthony Dunlop of Luton, later of Cheltenham and Yoxford. He would own it until his death in 2008, and his family retained it until 2010. When Mr. Dunlop acquired the car, he refashioned the rear of the bodywork in order that it could be used for towing, and some photographs survive from 1959 or the early ’60s, illustrating the modifications and showing ‘DPL’ pulling a caravan. However, in the 1980s he elected to restore the body along more original lines, and the ensuing work was completed in 1996. The present owner, an enthusiastic member of the Rapier Register who owns a small collection of road-going and race-prepared examples, took ownership in 2014.
Seen to start readily and run well for our photoshoot, the ‘DPL’ remains as attractive as ever, but is now discreetly modernised with features such as flashing indicators, an electric *** and a four-branch exhaust manifold. It is supplied with documents including the V5C, a copy of the 1938 buff logbook, a Rapier Register history sheet, and old MOTs. Its history is additionally documented in Twin-Cam Extravagance by Chris Wiblin.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
