Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet
RM’S Farina-bodied Lancia convertible is one of ten
The term ‘rare’ is far too freely used around classic cars, to the extent that it has become somewhat devalued over time. However, there are times when it is totally justified. This 1947 Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet is one of just ten bodied by Pinin Farina, with lines that simply oozed style in 1947 and have a similar impact even today. One of the other nine was used at the time by a then-young Sergio (Pinin) Farina, who was photographed with the car on several occasions. Its fresh styling set the tone for Farina’s direction in the following years.
The ten Cabriolets were built on the 100mm (4in) longer-than-standard Aprilia chassis that Lancia offered to coachbuilders to allow more flowing lines and used a 1486cc version of the marque’s V4 engine. As with many of Italy’s early post-war luxury vehicles, this car was exported, in this case to Switzerland. As was common for Lancias in period, it was built with right-hand drive.
None of this Aprilia’s early life is recorded but Lancia historian Jean Pierre Baumgartner discovered it in a pretty sorry state outside a Swiss barn some decades later. He set about restoring it and commissioned leading European marque specialists to complete the five-year task, retaining its original livery of white with dark red leather interior and a navy blue hood.
Baumgartner kept the car until 2014, since when it has been enjoyed by two further owners. All appear to have cared for it well
‘What looks like a realistic $180k-$200k estimate gets even better for UK buyers – a recent strengthening of sterling makes that £130k-£158k’
and used it sparingly. Bodily, what can now be termed an older restoration has held up extremely well – it needs next to nothing. The seat leather has dried out a little but just needs to be fed and re-coloured. The only pressing job will be to restore the badly cracked steering wheel, which has been crudely filled in places and detracts from the stunning art deco dashboard.
RM Sotheby’s is offering the car in its Amelia Island sale on 22 May in Florida, with what looks like a realistic $180,000-$220,000 estimate. The numbers get even better for prospective UK buyers; the recent strengthening of sterling against the dollar translates into £130k-£158k. That looks like a good buy for something so appealing and exclusive with Lancia’s renowned engineering.