1936 LANCIA BELNA CABRIOLET POURTOUT

Chassis F341520
Engine F861956

- Stunning 1936 PoUrtout Cabriolet
- Regularly registered in Italy, retains its French number plates
- Well-preserved total restoration, interior most likely original
- Perfect for concours d'elegance and regularity races
- Eligible for the 1000 Miglia

Estimate € 50.000 - 80.000

To preserve and strengthen the domestic automobile industry, the French government imposed high import taxes on foreign-made cars. To remedy this, Lancia decided to invest in the construction of a new plant in Bonneuil-sur-Marne, south of Paris. Production at the Parisian plant focused on the production of Augusta chassis and lasted from 1934 to 1937: in the French market it was called the 'Belna'. Identified by the suffix F in front of the serial number, it was produced both as a saloon and as a chassis for coachbuilding.

In particular it was the ingenious coachbuilder Marc Pourtout who was responsible for the construction of the Belna cabriolets, of which very few examples are known to date. Also admirable were those very few Belnas fitted with the 'Eclipse' bodywork, i.e. a hard-roofed coupé-cabriolet, futuristic at the time and just as fascinating today. The Pourtout cabriolet was an example of typically French understated styling: the figures available to date are unclear as to how many Belna cabriolets were produced. What is certain is that very few examples of these charming Lancias remain to this day.

This Lancia Belna Cabriolet Pourtout is an admirable example of French style combined with Italian technical refinement. Restored more than 10 years ago by its previous French owner, it has been in the same collection since it was imported to Italy a few years ago. The car retains its French number plates from the period, suggesting that it was most likely delivered new to Paris, where it has spent almost its entire life to date.

Used for concours d'elegance and a few historic regularity events, this Belna is distinguished by its elegant two-tone livery and almost certainly original blue leather interior of the period. Functioning and ready to continue its life as an elegant historic, this Belna is a tasteful choice for any enthusiast.