Beschreibung:

Styled like its Aurelia B10 big brother, Lancia’s new Appia small car arrived in 1953. The Lancia tradition of outstanding innovation in automotive technology was exemplified by the Appia’s ultra-compact engine, a narrow-angle (10 degrees) 1,089cc V4 whose inclined overhead-valves were set in hemispherical combustion chambers and operated by twin camshafts in the block. The unitary chassis construction adopted on the pre-war Aprilia was, naturally enough, continued, as was Lancia’s traditional sliding-pillar independent front suspension. Notchback-style Series II cars came with a lengthened wheelbase and more power (up from 38 to 43bhp) while the final (third) series boasted further styling revisions and 48bhp. Complementing the standard Appia saloon were a series of limited edition models produced on a separate chassis and bodied by leading carrozzeria, Pininfarina being responsible for the coupé, Vignale the cabriolet and Zagato the GT coupé. Engine power was increased to 53bhp for these more sporting Appias which, when equipped with Zagato’s lightweight, aerodynamic coachwork, could touch 100mph. One of the rarest and most desirable of Appia variants, this left-hand drive GTE Coupé is typical of Zagato's work of the period. The car was delivered new in Guatemala where it was owned by one Ira Dever Lewis Clark, an American citizen. It 2003, the car was acquired by its second owner, Petrilli Pasquale of Italy. The car was purchased by the vendor in 2006 and has been carefully cared for and maintained since.