LANCIA, PININ FARINA AND A SPECIAL APRILIA
LANCIA, PININ FARINA AND A SPECIAL APRILIA
The Aprilia was a crucial model for Lancia, and the last model completed before the death of Vincenzo Lancia in 1937. When the factory entered production that year, the factory sedan featured advanced bodywork, independent four-wheel suspension, and a remarkably compact V-4. With a structural engine bay and hood, and a one-piece sheet metal floor and rear section, the platform ensured torsional rigidity while offering enormous design freedom to coachbuilders, including, of course, Pinin Farina.
As noted by the research of Lancia brand historian and former Pininfarina historical advisor Paolo Giusti, chassis 439-11844 was completed by the factory on March 27, 1947. Two weeks later it was bought by SVAM – the Lancia dealer in Modena, Italy – for the sum of 556.480 lire. SVAM then immediately sent the bare chassis to Pinin Farina with the special assignment to provide it with a unique “2+2” convertible body.
Giusti notes that the design bears the direct influence of Pinin Farina stylist Fedele Bianco, who clearly took this opportunity to improve his previous 2+2 convertible treatment, which claimed the highest honors at the Monte Carlo and Cannes Concours d'Elegance in 1947. This prototype, aptly named the 'Speciale', was clad in a one-off aluminium body with sloping sides, open wheels, a rearward-curved windshield, and a low profile.
The driver and passenger are confronted with a dashboard in the same color as the upholstery and covered with a striking, unique composition in Bakelite and chrome. Because the spare tire took up most of the trunk, folding rear seats were necessary to provide adequate luggage space.
With the lines of the windscreen pillar and side window extending into the door recesses, it's just as beautiful with the top up as it is down. Press photos of Pininfarina from 1947 are available, generously provided from Giusti's collection.
Importantly, an accompanying Lancia Storico production certificate shows that the car's current V-4 engine matches the engine listed in the original factory documentation. This Lancia Aprilia is a very important post-war design by Pinin Farina, while its advanced engineering makes it as useful and rewarding to drive as it is to admire.
LANCIA, PININ FARINA AND A SPECIAL APRILIA
The Aprilia was a crucial model for Lancia, and the last model completed before the death of Vincenzo Lancia in 1937. When the factory entered production that year, the factory sedan featured advanced bodywork, independent four-wheel suspension, and a remarkably compact V-4. With a structural engine bay and hood, and a one-piece sheet metal floor and rear section, the platform ensured torsional rigidity while offering enormous design freedom to coachbuilders, including, of course, Pinin Farina.
As noted by the research of Lancia brand historian and former Pininfarina historical advisor Paolo Giusti, chassis 439-11844 was completed by the factory on March 27, 1947. Two weeks later it was bought by SVAM – the Lancia dealer in Modena, Italy – for the sum of 556.480 lire. SVAM then immediately sent the bare chassis to Pinin Farina with the special assignment to provide it with a unique “2+2” convertible body.
Giusti notes that the design bears the direct influence of Pinin Farina stylist Fedele Bianco, who clearly took this opportunity to improve his previous 2+2 convertible treatment, which claimed the highest honors at the Monte Carlo and Cannes Concours d'Elegance in 1947. This prototype, aptly named the 'Speciale', was clad in a one-off aluminium body with sloping sides, open wheels, a rearward-curved windshield, and a low profile.
The driver and passenger are confronted with a dashboard in the same color as the upholstery and covered with a striking, unique composition in Bakelite and chrome. Because the spare tire took up most of the trunk, folding rear seats were necessary to provide adequate luggage space.
With the lines of the windscreen pillar and side window extending into the door recesses, it's just as beautiful with the top up as it is down. Press photos of Pininfarina from 1947 are available, generously provided from Giusti's collection.
Importantly, an accompanying Lancia Storico production certificate shows that the car's current V-4 engine matches the engine listed in the original factory documentation. This Lancia Aprilia is a very important post-war design by Pinin Farina, while its advanced engineering makes it as useful and rewarding to drive as it is to admire.
