Lancia’s Lucky Seven

Cars

Lambda (1927)

The Lambda was groundbreaking and radical. There was unitary construction when most other cars were ladder-framed with a coach-built body. It had independent front suspension and all-round brakes – as well as a highly sophisticated V4 engine. A milestone in automotive engineering.

Aprilia (1938)

The Aprilia was the ultimate small car of the pre-war period. Its pillarless, teardrop shape was honed in a wind tunnel giving it a drag co-efficient of 0:47 – with five people seated comfortably. This was an incomparable benchmark in refinement and stylish spec.

Aurelia B20 GT (1951)

This was a car that changed perceptions; truly beautiful design from Boana, high end build quality by Pininfarina and the first production V6. A GT as at home in the paddock as on the piazza. Only bested by a sole Ferrari in the ’51 Mille Miglia, 1-2-3 finish at the ’52 Targa Florio and class wins everywhere from the Panamerica to Le Mans.

Lancia Flaminia Touring GT 3c (1958)

With an alloy V6 engine and lightweight Superleggera coachwork by Touring, this car has the same build style, and was a contemporary of, the Aston Martin DB4 GT. Stylish and swift, the choice of the young Riviera jet set in the early sixties, yet is a tenth of the price of a DB4 today.

Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato Competizione

Take the already exquisite Fulvia Coupe and clothe it in lightweight, aerodynamically sculpted alloy from the mind of Zagato design genius Ercole Spada and then add lightness by honeycombing everything. Targa Florio, Daytona and Sebring regulars these 1.3 firebrands were a potent force on the Italian road race scene. The standard road car is an undervalued entry ticket into the world of hand-built Zagato exotica.

Lancia Stratos 1972

1972 – 74. Ferrari engined short wheelbase rally car that looks as good as it goes. Gandini styled wedge that perfectly married form and function, with three consecutive World Rally titles. Iconic in Alitalia green, white and red.

Lancia 037 Stradale (1982)

The car the Montecarlo should have been. This homologation model was available in any colour, as long as it was red. Just over 200 of these Pininfarina styled, mid-engined rockets were produced, 0-60 in under 6 seconds, the road-going version of the insane 037 rally beast.

Images: Lancia Press

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7 Responses to “Lancia’s Lucky Seven”

  1. Lancia truly did make some of the most awesome cars ever, quietly making prettier cars than Ferrari and almost as pretty as Alfa Romeo…Shame they just dissolved when over here in our rubbish climate. The Lancia Integrale was and is a sheer delight to drive though. Check out our range of Lancia tees. The only way most of us mortals will ever get one..unfortunately. http://bit.ly/a9Mgsb

  2. David Clayton

    Iam sorry, but the Aprillia did not have a central driving position !! Having had many Lancias including Aurelia, Astura, and Flavias I can vouch for their superb driving qualities. However, they can be very expensive to own. On the post 1930’s cars rust is a huge problem. Aprillias, Aurelias, Fulvias all suffer greatly. Plus, the mechanics are not the easiest to work on.
    Like many other Italian cars. So beautiful, but oh so flawed.

  3. ahh sheer beauty in my eye’s, the fulvia,the gorgeous stratos and montecarlo (2 revolutions before their time)and of course the rally winning 037 and intergrale…..truly legends.

  4. Steve peterson

    I think the root of this is that the prototype design was said to have central drive position but it was nixed by Lancia himself.

  5. Bhiltonlancia

    Regarding comments about rust and Italian cars, I certainly wouldn’t agree, while you’ve owned Lancia models I can only dream off, Lancia were no better or worse than most cars of the time, Fulvia’s are great to own and as all Lancia’s of that period were exceedingly expensive cars to buy in the first place with outstanding engineering, it’s a bit like saying a Rolls Royce is expensive to own.
    Fulvia’s may at times be difficult to work on, a lot of which is due to how advanced they were, my 1965 Fulvia 2c Berlina has a narrow angle V4 of 1091cc which is good for 90mph, as well as ability to cruise at 75mph all day in great comfort, has disc brakes all round, so no problems stopping, I’ve been to France, Belgium, Holland, Portugal, Spain and Italy, over the Alps and the Pyrenees in mine, 6000+ miles, with 2 punctures being the only problems.
    If looked after they are no more expensive to run than any other quality, I restored my 2c between 1997-1999 after it being off the road for 21 years, she is normally kept in an airchamber inside a garage, and is used frequently all the year round, but only dry days in the winter.