Topic: Solved - NEH 2673: 1961 Lagonda Rapide used as mule for possible Mk II 1963

[Carnut]

Identify this car, what it was built for and why it is unusual - for 1 point?:

ANYONE FOUND GIVING ANSWERS OBTAINED BY USING GOOGLE SEARCH BY IMAGE MAY BE BANNED FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD!

[Carnut]

5 minutes with the Experts should sort this one out..

[cmetisse]

Lagonda Rapide, 1961-1964 !

[cmetisse]

To be more precise, this is LR105, built in 1961 and used as the show car for the 1962 Geneva Motorshow.
It seems it is the only Rapide which has that strange wide grille...

[nicanary]

Both incorrect, I reckon. Yes, it is LR105 from 1961, but it was used as the "mule" for a proposed MkII model. It was started in late 1963, but the management decided against it in 1964 , and the MkII was never introduced to the public.

It had a DB6 engine, upgraded mechanically, and the revised grille. The Rapide was a loss-maker, and all orders were cancelled.

[cmetisse]

Interesting answer, but it's strange, as my informations are coming from a LR registry.

Seems like they don't have very accurate data, do they ? 

[Carnut]

Interesting answer, but it's strange, as my informations are coming from a LR registry.

Seems like they don't have very accurate data, do they ?  

Yes, indeed this is interesting as your reply is what I had too!

But if nicanary can prove otherwise then I'll change my mind?

[cmetisse]

Anyway, I've found the right car with the right chassis number. That's a beginning, isn't it ? 

[nicanary]

The internet works in mysterious ways !

<<Link removed>>

[Carnut]

I'm afraid links are not allowed for any reason here so I've had to remove yours.
I had a look though and it's interesting!

This requires further investigation..

[nicanary]

I'm afraid links are not allowed for any reason here so I've had to remove yours.
I had a look though and it's interesting!

This requires further investigation..

My apologies for a thoughtless breach of site etiquette. I should have PMd you with the details. Yes, as you say, the plot thickens !

[D-type]

I don't know the ins and outs of this issue, but remember that Aston Martin - Lagonda regularly chopped and changed and recycled their prototypes.  Remember the Aston Martin DBR2 was built on a recycled 1955 Lagonda chassis and the DBR3 was converted back to DBR1 specification.  So it is plausible that both putative answers are correct if the dates are sorted out.

[Carnut]

I've tried to delve into this one but didn't get any help from the Lagonda Rapide people.
Despite cmetisse giving me what I had (obviously from the same website) I tend to go with nicanary's solution as being the most likely so have given him the point.

If anyone can prove that's not right then I'll happily change it!

The original photo: