Lancia Aprilia 'Ardennes'

In 1934 Vincenzo Lancia instructed his team to produce a new motor 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 Aprilia 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.

In 1931 Lancia created a factory at Bonneuil near Paris where French versions of the Aprilia were assembled between 1937 and 1939. These French-built Aprilias were known as ‘Ardennes’.

Chassis F383190 is a Lancia Aprilia Ardennes built in 1938. The car was finished in grey with a blue check-cloth interior and belonged to a Mr. Alessandro Bichi, an Italian gentlemen living in France. On Mr. Bichi’s passing the Ardennes came to the UK as a restoration project where it was acquired by a prominent British Lancia collector in 2013.

Since purchase the floors, sills and door bottoms have been repaired and the body is now ready for paint. The original cloth interior is out of the car and is in unrestored condition. The engine and gearbox have also been removed from the car but are complete and turn over.

Due to the advanced age of the owner the car is now available for purchase by a fellow enthusiast to complete its restoration.