The Lancia Aprilia (1937–1949) is a family car manufactured by Lancia , one of the first designed using a wind tunnel in collaboration with Battista Farina and Politecnico di Torino , achieving a record low drag coefficient of 0.47. The berlinetta aerodinamica was first shown in 1936.
15-525: 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 . The first series (mod. 238, 10,354 units, 1937–39) featured a 1,352 cc V4 motor providing 47 PS (35 kW). The second series (mod. 438, 9,728 units, 1939–49) had its engine capacity increased to 1,486 cc which provided 48 PS (35 kW). A Lusso model of this second series
30-524: A soup canner who made his money in Argentina before returning to Turin to start his business. From an early age, Vincenzo showed a gift with numbers, and it was intended for him to become a bookkeeper, but developed an interest in machinery and engineering , and was fascinated with the new motor car. He eventually became an apprentice with Giovanni Battista Ceirano , a bicycle importer in Turin , and he
45-545: The UK and Sweden customers increasingly picked the optional left hand drive versions, however. Special designs include those by Ugo Zagato (1938), a Carrozzeria Touring convertible, the army's Torpedo militare ( World War II ), a Luigi Pagani -tuned barchetta bodied by boatbuilders Riva di Merate on a pre-war chassis (1946), a Bertone convertible (1947), one of Michelotti 's first, while at Vignale (1949). Lancia had opened their first plant outside Italy at Bonneuil on
60-463: The desert. Vincenzo Lancia Vincenzo Lancia (24 August 1881 – 15 February 1937) was an Italian racing driver , engineer and founder of Lancia . Vincenzo Lancia was born in the small village of Fobello on 24 August 1881, close to Turin ; his family tree starts in Fabello around 1550. He was the youngest of four children (one sister and two brothers), his father being
75-682: The models assembled in France made it to the market ahead of the Italian cars, being sold from Autumn 1936, whereas the Italian cars were not sold till early 1937, after the worst of the winter was over. Despite being well regarded by enthusiasts, the Lancia Ardennes was overshadowed in the French market place by the pioneering and aggressively priced Citroën Traction . In the context of heightened nationalism and increasing political tension between
90-830: The newly established Carrozzeria Pinin Farina a car design firm and coachbuilder, with headquarters in Cambiano, Turin, Italy. He died from a heart attack on 15 February 1937 just before the Aprilia was put into full production. He was 55 years old, and he lies buried at Fobello . His wife Adele Miglietti and their son Gianni Lancia continued the management of the car manufacturer (1937–1955). Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia Conte Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia (24 August 1879 in Turin , Piedmont , Kingdom of Italy – 7 September 1959 in Ripafratta, San Giuliano Terme near Pisa )
105-649: The political classes in Italy and in France, only 1,620 Lancia Ardennes models had been produced before war put an end to its production. The Lancia Aprilia is featured in Land of Black Gold , one of The Adventures of Tintin , in the story's car chase scene. Driven by Tintin with Captain Haddock and Snowy as passengers, they chased the villain Prof. Smith, alias Dr. Müller, who kidnapped Prince Abdullah and tried to run away in
120-588: The south side of Paris in 1931, and the Aprilia was assembled here between 1937 and 1939. The French version was badged as the Lancia Ardennes, but apart from the name and slightly larger headlights (possibly to compensate for the dimming effects of French legislation requiring headlight bulbs to be yellow) the French Lancia Ardennes was indistinguishable from the Turin built Lancia Aprilia. Curiously,
135-516: Was also offered as well as a lungo (lengthened) version (706 made, 1946–49). A total of 20,082 cars and 7,554 additional chassis for coach built bodies were produced in Turin along with about 700 in France . With the Aprilia Lancia followed their tradition of offering cars with the steering wheel on the right even in markets seen by other manufacturers as left hand drive markets. Outside
150-486: Was an Italian artist, industrial designer, journalist and founder of the National Automobile Museum . He was the son of Roberto Biscaretti di Ruffia , a senator who was involved in the establishment of Fiat (1899). As a youngster, Carlo assisted in the first Italian automobile race ( Torino - Asti -Torino, 1896). In 1898, he started the "Automobile Club di Torino" (Automobile Club of Turin) (he
165-641: Was an exceptionally fast driver, often the fastest of all, but often suffered a mechanical failure. In 1906, Vincenzo Lancia won the Gold Cup in Milan driving the Fiat 28-40 HP . His first car was built in 1907 - the 12 hp Alfa , which included much of the technology now taken for granted, and he produced groundbreaking models such as the Lambda and the Aprilia . In 1930 with Battista Farina called Pinin, he co-funded
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#1732797354081180-472: Was credited with the design of the now familiar Lancia logo (1911). Lancia, however, was now chief inspector at Fiat , and was also a test driver, although only 19. His driving impressed the Fiat bosses, and he was invited to drive their cars in races. His first success was in 1900, in Fiat's second race. Lancia led the first lap of first French Grand Prix at Le Mans with a time of 53 minutes 42 seconds. He
195-554: Was involved in the early Itala 51 vehicles (illustrations), for Michelin and contributed to several motor journals. He was also involved in the Salone dell'automobile di Torino . He collected vehicles since 1933 and he founded the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile "Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia", which was opened in 1960 after his death. In February 1899, Vincenzo Lancia was sent to help Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia, who owned
210-495: Was named bookkeeper in the company's brochure in 1898. He was also developing his skills in engineering, design and construction, and developed patience, perseverance and determination. Soon he could tackle most problems single-handedly. Once Lancia was sent to help Count Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia , who owned a Benz . When they met in February 1899, they quickly became friends. He was to become important in Lancia's later career and
225-585: Was president until 1948), which then became the Automobile Club d'Italia . He also took part in the first Giro d'Italia automobilistico (1901). Biscaretti di Ruffia got a law degree (1904) and worked a while in Genova for "Filiale di Fabbre e Gagliardi", a bicycle accessory shop, before moving to Rome to run the offices of Carrozzeria Alessio . Back in his hometown, he established the "Studio Tecnico Carlo Biscaretti" in via della Rocca 22, Torino. He
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