26 Oct 06
Lancia Aprilia
Vincenzo Lancia died young in 1937, killed by an unexpected heart attack at the age of 55. But just before his death, he launched the astonishing Aprilia.
An eye-catching small car with unprecedented aerodynamics, it had independent suspension on all four wheels and rear disc brakes. The V4 engine had hemispherical combustion chambers and a light-alloy cylinder head, and it was both quick and efficient.
The Ardea two years later was the next mini whizzkid, introducing a five-speed gearbox, new-generation shock absorbers and 12-volt electrical system - all on a relatively affordable 903cc small family car. It stayed in production until 1953.
Lancia Aurelia GT B20
Vincenzo's son Gianni had none of his father's aversion to motorsport. All-encompassing racing versions of the Aurelia B20 GT coupe took class wins at all the classic races: Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, Liege-Rome-Liege and even the Monte Carlo rally. Purpose-built grand prix machines cleaned up again the Mille Miglia and the Carrera Panamericana, although having Alberto Ascari on your driver roster must have helped.
But by the time Lancia entered Formula 1 in 1954, finances were shaky. Distraught after the death of Ascari while testing at Monza, Gianni gave his whole team, its cars and its assets to Ferrari. Under the Lancia-Ferrari name, Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1956 F1 championship.
In 1955, Gianni and his mother opted to sell the Lancia company to Carlo Presenti, a businessman big in cement.
