1961 Lancia Appia GTE Zagato Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato
Registration no. 584 UXO
Chassis no. 812.01-4564
Engine no. 814.00-3588

One of the rarest and most desirable of Appia variants, this left-hand drive GTE Coupé is typical of Zagato's work of the period. The car was exported new to Hoffman Bros, the New York-based Lancia importers, and after a handful of private owners in the USA was purchased in October 1983 by Jarl de Boer of Walnut Creek, California. The car had lost its engine by this time and was fitted with '814.00-3588' from a Vignale convertible, which it retains. Subsequently raced by de Boer and others, the car next changed hands in 2003, passing to Strada e Corsa in the Netherlands where restoration commenced.

Inspected by Martin Cliffe of marque specialists Omicron Engineering, the Appia was purchased by the current vendor in October 2005. Following a bare metal re-spray by Carrosserie Procard in Belgium and further restoration by Strada e Corsa, which included making new doors and fitting Perspex side windows, the car was imported into the UK in August 2006 and registered '584 UXO'.

With the intention of doing some historic racing, an FIA-specification roll cage was fitted by Robinson Race Cars in 2007, and then in 2008 the engine was fully rebuilt by Classic Restorations of Alyth, Scotland. Upgrades included electronic ignition (in period distributor), alternator electrics and an electric cooling fan.

Not satisfied with the performance, the owner pursued further upgrades that had been homologated in period. Sourced over a few years, these comprised a Weber 40DCOE carburettor; custom-made inlet manifold; lengthened distributor spindle and housing; and an exhaust custom-made from an original pattern. In addition, the car has been fitted with a Nardi steering wheel; new alloy fuel tank; Monza fuel filler cap; Marchal spotlights; and custom-made 'Zagato' seats.

We are advised that the engine work, especially the Weber carburettor, has transformed the car, which is the only one incorporating homologated improvements to become available in recent years and cannot be compared to a standard example. Fewer than 1,000 miles have been covered since the engine rebuild.

The Appia performed faultlessly on the 2011 Mini Tour Britannia and earlier this year participated in the Doune Hill Climb. It is MoT'd, 'on the button' and ready for whatever challenges the new owner might have in mind. Eligible for many prestigious international rallies and events, the car comes with FIVA papers; a history file containing bills and photographs of the restoration; and a quantity of removed original parts.