1963 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide

This motor car is being sold as part of a private overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams’ temporary admission customs bond. In addition to the ‘hammer’ price, the winning bidder must pay a bond release fee (£350) and also import tax/duty.

In the UK, cars over 30 years old are subject to the lower rate of 5% import tax on the final selling price if purchased by a private individual. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT. A company buying this car will always pay 10% duty + VAT as well as VAT on the ‘hammer’ price.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable upon proof of customs/tax payment in the other country.

The bond release fee (£350 payable direct, post-auction, to the CARS shipping company) will produce a NOVA from HMRC, this document is formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK. The vehicle is not registered anywhere. You must register the vehicle with the DVLA. Upon request, The Market can suggest some companies who can help with this process.

This vehicle has been on static display in the Middle East for a number of years, and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section. In all cases, the documents shown are photocopies, unless otherwise stated. We do not have the originals.

Unless otherwise stated, we have not tried to start or drive the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is strictly sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for viewing by appointment weekdays 9am-5pm, and we advise you (or your appointed engineer) to inspect it at our HQ near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

We haven’t tried to start or drive this RHD automatic Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide and can therefore only attest to its cosmetic condition.

In common with many cars from the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles, it comes with very little in the way of history or service records, although it does have a copy of an old V5 registration document and some original paperwork, including the car’s spec sheet and some records of early servicing and maintenance, which reference the fitting of a replacement engine in 1969.

The chassis number is LR/136/R.

Today, the odometer reads just 75,006 miles.

It was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2008.

When new, the car was the Aston Martin shade of Caribbean Blue Pearl. Today it is a metallic gold hue.

Overall, we think this 1963 Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide is in very decent, original condition and is a fine example of an exceedingly rare, elegant and effortlessly refined classic from one of the world’s great sporting marques.

The bodywork seems to be in good condition in general, with just a few localised instances of bubbling in one or two places.

The gold paintwork has held up well.

The panels are straight, even and free of any significant dinks, dents or creases that we can see.

The shut lines and panel gaps are consistent, although the n/s/r door is currently refusing to open.

The car’s chrome is pretty good, aside from some tarnishing around the rim of the rear number plate holder and some sticky residue and tarnishing in places on the front bumper.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all seem to be in fine fettle, although the horizontal fin design feature on the o/s/f wing is a little bashed about.

Save for a missing chrome hub cap on the o/s/r wheel, the wheels are good.

There are a couple of small patches of bubbling in evidence on top of the n/s/f wing where it meets the bonnet and above the front wheel arch.

There is also some bubbling at the base of the o/s/r door and some cracks in the paint on the sill beneath it.

Another small patch of bubbling may be seen at the base of the n/s/r door.

The interior oozes understated class and, although not devoid of signs of wear and tear, is generally in reasonable condition.

Aside from the driver’s seat cushion, which has a sizeable tear in it, the rest of the blue leather upholstery has more to show by way of patina than damage and would, we think, respond well to some decent cleaning and feeding products.

The carpets and mats need a good clean, too, but don’t appear to be in any way beyond salvation, as far as we can see.

The door cards have some creases and nicks to the leather but, again, would probably respond well to some elbow grease and effort.

The headlining is grubby but intact.

The wood veneers are mostly OK, both on the dashboard and picnic tables, but the lacquer is cracked in various places. The underlying veneers are cracked in places around the dashboard clock.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

The boot needs re-lining and trimming but seems otherwise sound.

Everything in the engine bay looks clean and dry, and the undersides of the car appear to have plenty of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to come and see for yourself.

The car doesn’t come with any history or service records beyond what is shown in the photography section.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor an up-to-date V5. It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery constitutes any kind of licensing or registration documentation.

It seems to be in very decent overall condition and, although there are one or two largely cosmetic issues to address both inside and outside, we feel that this example has more than enough underlying quality, rarity and class to repay the time and effort involved in successfully recommissioning it and helping it recapture some or all of its former glory.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £50,000 - £80,000, plus Bonhams bond payment and £350 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm (also 10am-3pm on 28th/29/30th Dec'22), to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.