Lancia Lambda

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Produced from 1922 until 1931, the Lancia Lambda was a seminal design which, in true Lancia tradition, showed how completely new design ideas could be used on the road, extremely effectively, everyday.

The Lambda’s most striking feature was its incredible unitary monocoque - a stiff box forming the floorpan and complex trellis sides adding torsional stiffness that only became commonplace thirty years later.

Throw in rugged sliding-pillar independent front suspension, supported by stout tubes and incorporating rudimentary oil-filled shock absorbers, it was no surprise that the Lambda was in a league of its own in the handling department.

Other quirky design features included a narrow-angle monoblock V4 engine and a stubby remote gear linkage which was/is a total delight to use – all features which have given the elegant and avantgarde Lambda iconic status.

Despite relatively modest power outputs from its 2,120cc engine (later bored to 2.6-litres), the drivability and handling prowess meant a well driven Lambda would run rings round all but the most exotic of sporting machinery.

This splendid Lambda Special is somewhat of an enigma. Well-known throughout the European Lambda circuit, ‘RIVA 1s’ history is French based and in more recent times, the car has lived with Parisian Lambda exponent Yves Ketterer.

Australian Lambda guru Bill Jamesion has theorised that it was built in France around 1930 from new parts supplied by Lancia. This would explain why some parts remain un-numbered (ie axles and gearbox). The engine is numbered RIVA No1 (the car is generally referred to as this) and is date-stamped 1930. A 67 Series unit, factory production would have consisted of the larger 79 Series by 1930, adding credence that this earlier-type engine would have been a new factory replacement supplied to France. We suspect there is still a lot more research to do.

However it came about, what we have is an interesting short-chassis Lambda, with loads of interesting and original features. The bodywork is sound and comes with weather equipment which includes a hood and front side-screens. The upholstery has been retrimmed in the recent past and the rear tonneau is now in leather.

The well-stocked dashboard includes a working chronometric Jaeger rev-counter, functioning (although accuracy is not guaranteed!) Le Nivex petrol gauge and an oil pressure gauge which reads a reassuring pressure when the engine is running. This car is sold with a French Carte Grize and a NOVA number.

Starting and driving around nicely, and ticking over sweetly during the photographs, we can’t help but feel that this interesting Lambda Special has many more secrets to tell and is on offer for around half the price of a factory original - Italian exotica for Alvis 12/50 money!