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Lancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon

Lancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon

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Lancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Lancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Lancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Lancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Lancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Lancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series SaloonLancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Lancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Lot number 153
Hammer value £5,940
Description Lancia Appia 3rd Series Saloon
Registration 475 CXU
Year 1961
Colour Light Green
Engine size 1,090 cc
Chassis No. 80808-84852
Engine No. 36254
Documents TBA

The Lancia Appia was introduced in 1953 as a replacement for the ageing Ardea which dated from before the war.

The new Appia had a larger 1,090cc version of Lancia’s characteristic V4 engine but in a clean-sheet design by Vittorio Jano which borrowed elements from the sensational Aurelia. The new engine was coupled to a four-speed gearbox with rear-wheel drive. The independent sliding pillar front suspension and pillarless doors were a long-standing Lancia tradition which also carried over to the Appia.

The car was beautifully made, as were all Lancias at the time ('the thinking man's Alfa Romeo') but quality costs and a high price tag compared to a rival Fiat or Alfa's new Giulietta meant initial sales were slow. Good reviews and a succession of detailed improvements made the Appia increasingly appealing and sales soon improved. In third series form (1959-63), over 55,000 Appias were sold from a total production run of 98,000.

Performance was good for the time and the 40bhp engine could propel the car along at nearly 80mph, with 30mpg economy, at a time when the Ford equivalent struggled to exceed 60mph. Although the Lancia was not sold in this country, it cost the equivalent of £780 while the Ford cost just over £400.

This is a late model Appia, a Series 3 from 1961 with the wide, horizontal grille inspired by the flagship Flaminia. Engine power also went up to 48bhp and the front brakes were improved with dual circuit hydraulics for added safety. It is a very stylish, understated car and looks most elegant in a period shade of pale green with a matching green and cream interior.

Access to the interior is matched by few other cars thanks to the pillarless construction – opening front and rear doors at the same time always impresses onlookers. You will also note that it is right-hand drive, always an option on Lancias of this era, even in Italy.

At the time of cataloguing we had not had chance to see the car or the history file for ourselves, but we are advised that it was imported from Jersey in 1981 and has been in the current ownership since 2014. We are further informed that it was in good running order when acquired but has not been driven since the last MOT expired in September 2016 so it will doubtless benefit from a thorough check-over before venturing forth once more.

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