Coys Auction
Ascot Racecourse,
Berkshire SL5 7JX
Sunday 23 May 2010 at 3pm
Registration Number: NSJ 550 Chassis Number: 38L/8768
The Lancia Aprilia was one of the first cars designed using a wind tunnel in collaboration with Battista Farina and Politecnico di Torino, achieving a record low drag coefficient of 0.47. Production commenced in February 1937, the month in which the firm‘s founder died: this was the last of Vincenzo Lancia‘s designs, featuring four pillarless doors and a 1352 cc V4 motor providing 47 bhp. The first series, as offered here, was built from 1937 to 1939 with 10,354 examples rolling off the production line.
Built in 1938, this very advanced pre-war sporting saloon was driven up to Scotland from Southampton in the 1980s, where it became everyday transport for its new owner, a retired nurse. It then passed in to the hands of a motor engineer and some 10 years ago was bought by a prominent Scottish lawyer, who stored the car. The Lancia was then bought f