Vehicle Description
Lancia was at the height of creativity in the 1930s. In the first
part of the decade, while still under the leadership of the
brilliant Vincenzo Lancia, the firm had created some of the most
advanced machines of the era. Vincenzo had previously enjoyed a
successful career as a racing driver for FIAT before joining the
ranks as a manufacturer in 1908. He proved to be every bit as
effective an engineer as he was a driver, perhaps even more so.
Lancia's designs were far ahead of their time, and he pioneered the
use of independent front suspension, unibody construction, and
narrow V-angle engines. Even well after his death in 1937, Lancia
cars were renowned for their innovative engineering, exquisite
build quality and meticulous attention to detail. The last car
Vincenzo Lancia designed before his untimely death was the Aprilia.
A four-cylinder mid-sized model, it was introduced in 1937 and was
thoroughly remarkable for the era. It featured four-wheel
independent suspension, a narrow-angle V4 engine of 1,351 c.c.
(1,485 c.c. from 1939), and a clever platform chassis that was a
precursor to unibody construction. There was no traditional ladder
frame; rather, a reinforced floor pan served as the main structural
element. It allowed for a rigid, lightweight car that also had the
benefit of being friendly for coachbuilders. The 49 horsepower of
later models was ample power to propel the little Aprilia along at
speeds approaching 80 mph. The factory offered a variety of
somewhat traditional bodies, while Italy's finest coachbuilders
took full advantage of the versatile platform to create designs
worthy of the highly advanced chassis. This genuinely stunning
motorcar is one such creation, penned by Batista "Pinin" Farina.
Pinin Farina had a lot of experience with the Aprilia platform,
having designed saloon and cabriolet models offered through the
Lancia factory catalog, as well as several bespoke models before
the war. For this car, however, he created an extraordinary
cutting-edge design, symbolic of the burgeoning optimism in
post-war Italy. Chassis number 439-11844 was delivered to Pinin
Farina, where it was clothed in this bold and modern two-plus-two
cabriolet body. The incredible design features smooth sides,
without so much as a trace of traditional separate wings that were
still in-vogue for the era. The grilles and headlamps are
beautifully integrated, and the body is noticeably unadorned, with
just a simple chrome rocker molding used to punctuate the clean,
slab-sided bodywork. This is a remarkable display of restrained
elegance and a tremendously important piece of industrial design
from the immediate post-war era. It is believed that this Lancia
was shown at the Geneva Salon, finished in white or a light gray
color at the time. It soon came to France where it was registered
from 1949-1965 in the name of Roblou, a French Lancia importer in
Neuilly Sur Seine. Its whereabouts became unknown for several
decades until 2010, when it was discovered in Northern France by
respected Belgian dealer Bernard Marreyt. It was subsequently
returned to Italy where it was treated to an exhaustive 3-year
restoration. Now presented in what is believed to be the original
livery of blue over a deep burgundy interior, it remains every bit
as striking as the day it was presented. Paint quality is
excellent, with the clean, unadorned coachwork appearing straight
and properly fitted, doing justice to Pinin Farina's restrained
elegance. Exterior brightwork is limited, all of which present fine
condition. We are particularly fond of the subtle "Pinin Farina
Speciale" badges that adorn the flanks and the unique chrome
turbine-style wheel covers. The interior is equally beautiful and
finely crafted, featuring deep burgundy leather seats in front,
with a pair of folding jump seats in the rear. The door panels and
top boot are finished in the same supple leather, and the carpets
are in an attractive blue-gray to complement the paintwork. A
highlight of the cockpit is the stunning dash - a finely composed
design executed in burgundy, amber Bakelite, and chrome.
Beautifully designed instruments with cream faces and a magnificent
radio adorn the dash. The roof is upholstered in black canvas, and
looks equally as elegant in place or folded, a testament to Pinin
Farina's attention to detail. Mechanically, the Lancia is in fine
order. The 1,485 c.c. "Tipo 99" V4 starts readily and emits a
pleasant burble from the exhaust. Power is sent through a
four-speed gearbox with surprisingly close gates and a positive,
mechanical feel through the shift lever. The underhood presentation
is tidy and highly correct without appearing over-restored.
Pleasing details include the original lubrication labels on the
bulkhead and original Lancia ID tag. Standard Aprilias came
equipped with a Zenith 32 VIML carburetor, while this car wears an
era-appropriate brass-body Weber 30DR3, perhaps replaced in period
for improved performance. Since its restoration, it has been shown
on limited occasions, including one special tribute to Pininfarina
held in London in 2013, where Sergio's son Paolo got behind the
wheel in an emotional tribute to his father and grandfather. This
Aprilia represents a truly unique opportunity to acquire a
ground-breaking creation from two of automotive history's most
brilliant, forward-thinking designers - Battista Pinin Farina and
Vincenzo Lancia. For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6245-1946-lancia-aprilia-pinin-farina-cabriolet/