In 1961, Aston Martin resurrected the famous Lagonda name with a luxurious four-door sports saloon - the Rapide - taking its name from one of the marque's most prestigious models of the late 1930s. Conceived as a sporty saloon that was both fun to drive and comfortable, it also offered ample space for luggage.

Beneath the Superleggera aluminium bodywork produced by Touring of Milan, the Rapide rested on a DB4 chassis lengthened by 16 inches and refitted to accommodate a De Dion rear suspension, thus optimising space at the rear.

Powered by a 4.0-litre (236bhp) version of the DB4's twin-shaft six-cylinder engine - later to power the DB5 - the Rapide lived up to its name with lively acceleration and a top speed in excess of 210kph. Dual-circuit power-assisted disc brakes controlled this performance, while the British club-style interior included electric windows, rear picnic tables, remote-controlled fuel flap opening and a radio as standard.

Sold at the time for £5,000 - 25% more than an already expensive Aston Martin DB4 - the car was built to order. Only 55 examples, almost all fitted with a Borg Warner three-speed automatic gearbox, were produced before production ceased in 1964.

Chassis number 'LR/132/R' comes with a copy of its factory build sheet stating that the car was delivered new to W P Butterfield Limited in Shipley, Yorkshire, in a Biarritz Blue hue with a tan Connolly leather interior. Its original registration was 'RB 237'. The only other recorded owner is an L Laurier of Proofmaster Services, London E15, the date of the change of ownership not being given.

Six visits to the factory for servicing are mentioned, the last in August 1967 at 37,551 miles (60,400 km), including overhaul of the rear suspension, fitting of a new exhaust system and installation of Fiamm horns. An old style British registration document (V5) lists Strathclyde Cooperage Ltd of Glasgow as the owner (since 1992), the previous being Weybridge Garage Ltd of Surrey (since 1989). The car was last registered in 1995 and currently has 63,326 miles (102,000 km) on the clock. Imported into the EU two years ago, it is accompanied by French form 846A proving that European VAT has been paid.

The seller states that the Lagonda "requires a simple mechanical overhaul". Although it is not currently roadworthy, the seller does not foresee any major problems. Everything looks original and well preserved under the bonnet. This engine, well known to Aston Martin enthusiasts, can be reconditioned by a number of specialists. An ideal winter project.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the general terms and conditions of Car & Classic. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.

✓ We require a non-refundable fee to be paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.

✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.

✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI-checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.

✓ Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected].