Lagonda Rapier Abbott Four-seater Tourer 1934
BLP 79 was bought by Edward Stenning and registered in London on the 15th December 1934. He gave the car the car to his son, David, for his 21st birthday David drove the car 130,000 miles until the car was laid up in 1973.
In 1980 my brother, Ken Douch, acquired the Rapier in Cheltenham England, from David’s widow and shipped it to Montreal, Canada where it remained in his basement until 1997, until Ken retired and moved to Vancouver Island and started the restoration.
The ground-up restoration was completed in 2011, taking the opportunity to adhere to the original specification, making only minimal modifications.
BLP 79 came with comprehensive records including original brown log books and a long summary of the service history.
David Stenning was active in the Cambridge University Motor Club (CUMC) and mention of an entry is found in Motor Sport of the car taking part in the 1935 Intervarsity Speed Trails at Syston and at many more events.
The car was used during the war with headlamp shrouds and white painted wings. After restoration, the Rapier was driven gently for 12 miles and taken to three car shows in Vancouver. It was awarded the Restoration Award at Fort Rodd Hill in 2011 and first in class at Van Dusen Gardens All British Field Meet in 2012 in Vancouver. After which the Rapier was again laid up.
In Autumn 2015, my brother wanted the car to come back home to the UK into our care. This involved nearly eight weeks on a huge container ship from Vancouver, via the Panama Canal (through Hurricane Patricia off the coast of Mexico at Manzanillo), eventually arriving in Sussex on 23 November 2015.




Manufacturer:
Lagonda
Production:
1934–1938
470 + 46 by Rapier Cars
Designer:
Tim Ashcroft and Charles King
Body and chassis:
Body style
2-door sports tourer
2-door coupé
Engine:
1.1 L Lagonda Straight-4 engine double overhead cam
Transmission:
4-speed pre-selector
Wheelbase:
98.75 in (2,508 mm)
Length:
138 in (3,505 mm)
Width:
57.5 in (1,460 mm)
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