1938 Lancia Aprilia

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 james.dennison@brightwells.com