1925 Lancia Lambda - Serie 5 Torpedo

The Lancia Lambda was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1922. It was the first car to feature a monocoque body and had independent front suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers on the front axle. The Lambda was fitted with a water-cooled engine whose four cylinders were angled at between 13° and 14° to one another, depending on the year of manufacture, and were enclosed by a single cylinder head – a design which Volkswagen proudly marketed as a technical innovation under the designation VR from 1999 onwards. The overhead camshaft was driven by a king shaft at Lancia, and the 2.1-litre engine produced an impressive 50 hp. Power was transmitted to the rear axle via a 3-speed gearbox; from the 5th series onwards, a 4-speed gearbox was fitted. By 1931, nine series of the Lambda had been produced, with the model undergoing continuous improvements over the years. The Lancia Lambda offered here is from the 5th series with a 4-speed gearbox and was presumably registered in England in 1925. The early history of this elegant Torpedo is unknown – however, the import registration number on the Swiss vehicle registration certificate reveals that the car was imported into Switzerland around 1985. In early 1987, the Lancia was purchased by its last owner and added to his collection. After several years of use, he had the bodywork completely restored in 1994 and repainted from beige with black mudguards in the current red and black color scheme – photographic documentation and receipts totalling just under CHF 60'000 are available. Once the work was completed, the Lancia was often used for occasional appearances at historic events – for example, it competed in the 1996 Kitzbühel Alpine Rally and finished as the winner of its class in both the 2002 and 2006 Klausenrennen Memorials. In recent years, the Lambda has been driven very little and has spent most of its time in a dry shed. Having been in the same ownership for many years and featuring an optional, removable windscreen for the rear passengers, the Lancia is in very fine condition. The engine runs well and the car handles correctly – however, due to the prolonged period of inactivity, a service and a general inspection should be carried out. As a Tipo 214 with a short wheelbase, this Lambda is eligible for the Mille Miglia and is also a welcome sight at any other event. The last veteran MOT took place in August 2015.