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 Vincenzo Lancia's death in 1937. When the factory went into production that year, the factory Berlina had a advanced bodywork, four-wheel independent suspension and a remarkably compact V-4. With a structural engine compartment and hood, and a one-piece sheet-steel floor and rear end, the platform provided 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 on his previous 2+2 convertible treatment, which claimed top honors at the concours d'elegance from Monte Carlo and Cannes in 1947. Aptly named the 'Speciale', this prototype was dressed in a one-off aluminum body with sloping sides, open wheels, a swept-back 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 Vincenzo Lancia's death in 1937. When the factory went into production that year, the factory Berlina had a advanced bodywork, four-wheel independent suspension and a remarkably compact V-4. With a structural engine compartment and hood, and a one-piece sheet-steel floor and rear end, the platform provided 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 on his previous 2+2 convertible treatment, which claimed top honors at the concours d'elegance from Monte Carlo and Cannes in 1947. Aptly named the 'Speciale', this prototype was dressed in a one-off aluminum body with sloping sides, open wheels, a swept-back 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.
