Lancias to Love from the Post-War Era

Author: Richard Heseltine
Photography: Broad Arrow/Lancia

This great name is in the doldrums once more: here are ten from better days.

Appia

First seen in 1953, the delightful Appia was offered in three distinct series to 1963. Power came from a 1.1-litre V4 engine, while the use of sliding pillar front suspension had been a marque constant since 1922. In addition to the regular four-door saloon, a raft of sportier variants from the likes of Pinin Farina, Vignale and Zagato (the latter pictured here) were available. Viotti also offered estate car editions.

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Aurelia B20

Lancia introduced the Aurelia saloon in 1950. It employed one of the first-ever V6 engines and subsequently spawned the glorious B20 GT which had a shorter wheelbase and a body designed by Ghia but built by Pinin Farina. The latter also produced dazzling roadster variants.

Flaminia Zagato Super Sport

Lancia’s flagship Flaminia line was produced from 1957 to 1960. In addition to the pedestrian-looking (but finely-made) saloon which was inspired by Pinin Farina’s Florida 1 show car, more exotic variants were offered with coachwork by the likes of Touring and Zagato. The latter styling house created several distinct outlines, and none were more seductive than the late-run Super Sport.

Fulvia

Introduced in 1965, this front-wheel drive coupé was styled inhouse by Pierro Castagnero. Pertly attractive, and powered by a V4 engine of varying displacements, it soon found favour, not least within the competition fraternity. HF variants claimed numerous scalps including the 1970 RAC Rally of Great Britain and the 1972 International Championship for Manufacturers.

Stratos HF

Inspired in a roundabout way by a wedge-shaped concept car, the Stratos HF looked unlike any other rally car – unlike a car of any persuasion. This tiny, Dino V6-powered projectile claimed 18 rounds of the World Rally Championship from 1974 to 1981. These included four wins on the classic Monte Carlo Rally ( 1975-77 and 1979).

037

One of the few genuinely attractive Group B rally cars, and a fab if flawed road car, the 037 numerical designation denoted its project number inside the Abarth skunkworks. It was the last rear-wheel drive car ever to win the World Rally Championship manufacturers’ crown, claiming the title in 1983.

Delta S4

This Frankenstein’s monster of a rally car was built to Group B regulations and picked up from where the 037 left off. Packing a mid-mounted four-cylinder unit with both a turbocharger and a supercharger, it won first time out on the 1985 RAC international Rally of Great Britain. Sadly, the Group S car that was due to follow in its wake, the ECV, never got to compete after Group B was outlawed at the end of 1986.

Delta HF Integrale

A regular in so many ‘greatest ever’ lists, the Delta HF Integrale was a World Rally Championship colossus, bagging five consecutive World Rally Championship manufacturers’ titles to go with one recorded by the prior Delta HF 4WD. It remains a formidable point-to-point road car in all of its various guises.

Thema 8.32

The Thema was offered in a four, six and eight-cylinder forms, the charismatic 8.32 famously featuring a Ferrari engine. Strictly speaking, though, the V8 here was manufactured by Ducati. The egregious asking price ensured it was always going to be a rarity in the UK, and so it transpired. A mere nine cars were officially imported.

Hyena Zagato

The last genuinely desirable Lancia wasn’t a production car. Launched at the 1992 Brussels Motor Show, this Integrale-based machine was devised by Dutch concessionaire Paul Koot. A run of 500 cars was mooted, but support from Lancia’s parent firm Fiat was abruptly withdrawn. Sadly, tragically even, only 25 Hyenas were made including the prototype.

Lancia’s legacy is packed with elegance, innovation, and rally-bred legends. Which model would you most like to own or drive? Let us know below.