Classic Cars
From Italy
LANCIA AUTOMOBILES S.p.A.
Lancia was formed in 1906 by Vincenzo
Lancia in Turin.
Wikipedia reports that Lancia was the first automotive manufacturer to incorporate a full
electrical system as standard equipment, was the first to introduce a 5 speed manual transmission
to a production car, the first to install a full production V6 engine and also
the first company to produce a V4 engine, among other initiatives.
Since its creation, Lancia had always attempted to maintain the highest
standards of automotive engineering and were ranked as some of the best produced
cars in the world. The high costs of maintaining this standard however, forced
them to accept a take-over offer from Fiat in 1969.
Lancia did not sell well in the United States during its 7 year period of import
and were withdrawn from sale at the same time as Fiat also withdrew in 1982.
Lancia's reputation in the U.K. was not much
better due largely to a serious problem with body rust which received highly
critical press coverage in early 1980.
Prior (*1)
Over 11,000 Lambda were produced between 1922 and 1931 with a new model each year
This is the penultimate Series VIII of which 3,903 were produced.
(*3)
The Series IX may be visually more appealing but only 500 were produced.
The Lancia Artena was produced in two stages
between 1931 and 1942 with a 4 year break between 1936 and 1940. There were
5,060 of the first 3 models in the early stages and only 507 in the last 4 year
period of production. All came with a 1924cc V4 engine and manual transmission.
There were minor cosmetic improvements during the 11 year period although
several body types were on offer including the berlina and the cabriolet.
This
beautiful Flaminia Pininfarina Coupe is one of the earlier models produced
between 1957 and 1970. From this direction there is a striking resemblance to a
certain top range British car but Lancia was well in advance of its time and
well known for producing striking designs. The Flaminia came in the proverbial
sedan, coupe and cabriolet but with 2.5L and 2.8L engines and a 4 speed manual.
The Flavia was produced between 1960 and 1974 with engines from 1488cc to
2000cc. Proving to be one of the more popular models, 105,848 units were
produced with this Flavia 2000 HF Coupe being the most striking of them all.
My
final choice (in this installment) is the Lancia Gamma Coupe produced between
1976 and 1984. Only 6,789 of these coupes were built compared to over 15,000
sedans or berlinas.
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References
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See my Blog.
*1 -
Wikipedia
*2 -
Lancia Coupes and Convertibles
*3 -
Cape Lancia Club
acknowledgements also to -
2nd Oldtimergala 2006
