1949

LANCIA APRILIA SECOND SERIES

This late Second Series Aprilia has an intriguing history and a rare and desirable specification. The current owner had previously sold an Aprilia to a member of the Lancia family in the 1990s, then tried unsuccessfully to buy it back. The Lancia family member contacted him several years later to say that he had discovered in Turin a totally original Aprilia, given to its lady first owner as a 21st birthday present; the lady kept it until her death when her heirs put the little car into storage. The car was repainted in its original Lancia blue with grey Lancia wool cloth upholstery. The car was overhauled throughout mechanically by the skilled Fiat retired mechanic who looked after the fearsome Edwardian Fiat racing car, Mephistopheles.

The car is complete in all its charming original details, including the silk rear window blind, the thermostatically operated radiator shutters, the push button fuel gauge which lights up to show the number of remaining litres, the semaphore trafficators, the two rear lights above the rear number plate reading ” Lancia ” and “Aprilia ” the period two tone floor over-mats made from recycled inner tubes, the delicate aluminium bumpers, the woven cord hand grips and the original tool kit. The engine benefits from the very rare and desirable period Nardi twin Solex carburettor modification which significantly improves power and torque.

We were delighted to go through the car and rectify a number of minor issues. Definitely the best Aprilia we have ever seen.