1947' Lancia Aprilia

In 1934 Vincenzo Lancia instructed his team to produce a new car. The brief was a car with a medium capacity engine of around 50hp capable of carrying five passengers in comfort, possessed with good roadholding and a weight of no more than 900kg fully laden. The body should have minimal frontal area and good air penetration. Chief designer Battista Falchetto carried out extensive aerodynamic work at the Turin Polytechnic and the result was the Aprilia, named after a town situated between Anzio and Rome.
The Aprillia arrived in 1937 and was a marvel with its futuristic streamlined body (and underbody) and compact V4 engine which took up little space allowing more room for passengers. Independent suspension at all four corners provided the superior roadholding qualities demanded by Vincenzo.
The Aprilia was very well received, particularly by connoisseurs who appreciated its advanced design and superior build quality. English racing driver and Formula One World Champion Mike Hawthorn owned two.
The 2nd Series cars were launched in 1939 and were lower and wider and received the new 1, 486cc Tipo 99 engine, a more flexible unit than its predecessor.
Chassis 438-26861 is a 2nd Series example dating from 1947. Although unconfirmed, it is believed to have originally been supplied to a member of the Tooth family of Tooth & Co, brewers in New South Wales. Certainly the dashboard units are in mph and gallons.
There is a letter on file from a previous owner, Ian Campbell who says he first saw the car in 1957 in the car park of the Hepburn Springs Hillclimb in Victoria, Australia when owned by the Blomley family from Beaufort.
Campbell purchased the Aprilia from Australian Lancia enthusiast Don Hume in the 1960s and used it as daily transport. Around 1968 he had the car refinished in the current Olive green before placing it in storage for some years after a mechanical issue. The Aprilia was then acquired by Will Kerr who repaired the car before selling it Lance Milne of Red Cliffs, Victoria who took the car to several Australian Lancia club rallies.
The current owner, a leading UK Lancia collector and former Lancia Motor Club president, purchased the Aprilia in 2012 and imported it to the UK. Once in the UK the car was stored in the owner’s heated garage due to his deteriorating health.
UK registered with a current V5C the Aprilia will be sold as a restoration project. The engine in situ is seized, but a spare engine that turns by hand will be included in the sale. The body and underside appear to be sound, and the interior is still in good shape overall with some wear apparent to the fabric door cards and the seats have some staining.
Inspection welcomed.