Lot Ended
Description
Early First Series model; current owner 35 years; unfinished project;
believed complete with additional spares included; engine partially
rebuilt; a good way to keep yourself busy over the winter...
Widely
regarded as the pinnacle of pre-war light-car design, the Lancia Aprilia was the
last car masterminded by Vincenzo Lancia before his untimely death in 1937.
Embodying all the engineering brilliance and technical sophistication for which
Lancia had become famous in the preceding 30 years, it boasted a combination of
superb handling, performance and economy that was not significantly bettered for
decades.
Powered by a 1,352cc 48bhp V4, this aerodynamic marvel could
carry five adults at 80mph and 30mpg. Suspension was classic Lancia with sliding
pillars at the front and trailing arms at the rear incorporating a transverse
leaf spring and torsion bars. The hydraulically-actuated drum brakes (inboard at
the rear) were also outstanding for their time. A Second Series model with a
slightly larger 1,486cc engine came out in 1939 and the Aprilia remained in
production until 1949 by which time just over 20,000 had been
sold.
Dating from 1938, this early First Series
car has been in the current ownership since 1988 and was bought as a restoration
project which has never been completed. We are told that the engine was stripped
and partially rebuilt about 10 years ago – the bores were honed, the crank
reground and a new set of piston rings are ready to be fitted to the pistons
supplied. The carburettor is also present along with the gearbox.
The bodywork was also restored by a chap in
Herefordshire who had experience of working on Lancias and Bugattis. The boot
lid was re-skinned and the structure repaired as required. Unfortunately the
restorer retired before finishing the car and it has languished in storage
since.
The vendor believes that the car is
complete (although you will need to make your own minds up on that score) and it
also comes with some additional spares that he has amassed over the years –
diff, brake drums, drive shafts, interior window winders etc. There are two
windscreens, one new and one original but the latter is cracked. This has a
sticker on it saying 'Silverstone 1965' so it seems likely that the car has been
in the UK since at least that date. There are also two new Michelin X tyres in
the boot which are worth around £200 each.
An
old style V5 is present along with notes from the vendor and some
useful technical literature about the model. On offer here with a
very modest reserve (lower than the guide price), it has a nice
London-issue number plate, EYE 608, which could be transferable once the car is
restored and will doubtless have a value of its own.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]