BBroad Arrow Auctions, a Hagerty company, is thrilled to offer an exciting collection of over 100 collectible cars offered entirely without reserve—including some of the most desirable American, European, and British pre- and post-War automobiles ever produced at the Art Academy University Auction this 15 February in San Francisco. Highlights include this 1939 Lagonda LG6 Rapide at $400,000 – $600,000 and is offered without reserve.
The Lagonda LG6 made its public debut at the 1937 London Motor Show, with production beginning in 1938. The LG6 significantly differed from its predecessor, the LG45, featuring extended, prominent teardrop pontoon-like fenders and sweeping lines designed by Frank Feeley. It is regarded as one of his most seductive and beautiful designs among pre-war sporting drop head coupes, even exceeding the elegance of its Rolls-Royce competition.
Beyond its striking appearance, the LG6 also delivered impressive performance. Walter Owen Bentley redesigned the 4.5-liter overhead valve inline six-cylinder engine to produce between 130 and 150 horsepower (exact figures vary) at 3,800 rpm, mated to a four-speed manual transmission that enabled a top speed of 105 miles per hour. The vehicle is equipped with a forged front beam axle featuring semi-elliptic leaf springs, Lurax hydraulic dampers, a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, four-wheel mechanical drum brakes, and disc wheels with Lagonda knockoffs. Following World War II, only six LG6 Rapides were produced from a total of 85 Lagonda LG6s manufactured between 1937 and 1939.
In late 1938, chassis number 12348 began construction for its first owner, Mr. McCall, a Birmingham businessman who anticipated delivery on New Year’s Day 1939, but the car was not in fact delivered until 24 January 1940. After the war, it remained in the United Kingdom until acquired by new owners in California between 1960 and 1962, before moving to Toronto, Ontario, in 1967. It subsequently returned to the U.K. by the early 1990s, later traveling to Germany, and eventually being acquired by a Dutch owner in 1999. After this acquisition, a thorough restoration was completed, and the car was entered into the 2000 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it received a class award. The same owner also entered 12348 in events such as Villa d’Este, the Louis Vuitton Classic, and Paleis het Loo, consistently winning in its class.
The elegant exterior has aged gracefully since the restoration, still presenting beautifully with a light patina of use within the luxurious leather interior. The burled walnut dashboard was redone and inlaid with burled walnut. This example comes with its original Lagonda six-cylinder running instructions, a spare fitted in the trunk as well as a basic tool set.
One of just six ever produced and maintained in a large collection since acquisition by the Academy of Art University Collection in 2009, this exceptionally rare and beautifully presented design featuring streamlined fenders and a rich interior offered by Broad Arrow Auctions, is sure to stand out wherever it goes. In 1937, The Motor referred to it as a “perfect combination of pure beauty and speed”, a statement just as true today as it was then.
To view more thrilling cars on offer at Broad Arrow’s the Art Academy University Collection Auction, please visit their website at broadarrowauctions.com and be sure to register to bid for this exciting must-attend event.
