********NOW SOLD********
FOR SALE
VERY RARE & ELEGANT 1949 LANCIA APRILIA PININ FARINA CABRIOLET
ONE OF JUST A HANDFULL BUILT.
FEW REMAIN TODAY AND OF ADDED INTEREST TO THIS LISTING IS THAT THIS VERY CAR WAS THE 1949 OFFICIAL,LANCIA MOTOR SHOW CAR!
A brief history of the Aprilia.
The Lancia Aprilia Berline was introduced in 1937,the last Lancia to have Vincenzo Lancia's input before his death.
Sliding pillar front suspension was carried on from previous models,the engine was a narrow angled V4 1300cc unit (one cylinder head).Rear suspension was trailing arm with a transverse leaf spring mounted onto the rear differential.
Brakes were hydraulic,front and rear drums,the rears being inboard.
The original Berline bodyshell was a monocoque construction,with a pillarless, front and rear door opening.
All very advanced and all of which made the car a revelation in it's day and still a fantastic car to drive today.
Coachbuilt Aprilia Specials
As was the practice at this time,many manufacturers,including the main Italian marques would offer chassis based on current production cars to independent coachbuilders,such as Pinin Farina,Zagato etc for them to place their own creations onto.
Carrozzeria Pinin Farina
Carrozzeria Pinin Farina were founded in 1930 by Batista Pinin Farina,having broken away from his brothers company,Stabilimenti Farina.Laterly best known for their tie up with Ferrari,Pinin Farina were initially helped in the early days with financial backing from Vincenzo Lancia,so it is no surprise that there has always been a strong connection between the two companies.
Pinin Farina built a number of variations on the Aprilia platform,some of them very attractive,some less so.
Our car,in my opinion is a very elegant and stylish example of the work of a company, who now,are possibly the most famous of all the independent coachbuilders.
KYN 18 History KYN is a very rare car indeed,official production figures are not available but they were produced in very small numbers,perhaps just a handful being built and as previously mentioned,a number of bodies were produced by Pinin Farina with slight variations.
KYN has always been a UK car,the history file references it as being the very car that Lancia displayed on their stand at the 1949 UK Motor Show.I'm guessing here,but I'd assume this was held at Olympia,London at this time? A couple of nice pictures of the car from this show are included in the history file.
After this,it is known to have belonged to one of the very early,possibly even founding members of the UK Lancia Motor Club.From more recent times,relatives of another previous owner have been in touch with us to say how pleased they were to see the car again and how much of an enthusiast the,then owner was.
In the history file we also have two,old style card log books and a very nice collection of letters,bills and receipts from previous owners as,well as some nice Aprilia literature.
KYN now stands as an older restoration,probably circa late 1980's.The bodywork is sound and the chassis is solid,it presents smartly but it makes no pretentions to being a concours car.There are some imperfections in the paint and some minor points of blistering but no major rust issue's.We have been informed that the car was stripped back to bare metal and repainted in the late 1980's/early 90's.Also,the gearbox was fully rebuilt around this time and I have to comment that it was clearly rebuilt well,as it's a delight to use.
More recent work has been carried out on the brakes,this including new flexi hoses,wheel cylinders and shoes.
The interior is tear free and has a nice patina to the leather,the hood has a repair,the result of a slightly peckish field mouse no doubt,but it is still perfectly useable and a coating of Renovo would freshen it up a great deal.The hood drops and closes with ease.
Running & Driving
The car is up and running and useable,it travels along quite nicely,especially with the roof down and some sunshine,as previously mentioned,the gearbox is a delight.The clutch operates fine and the brakes have good firm feel to the pedal,although just bedding in,after the recent work.
Summary
KYN is a very rare and stylish car,values of these early Pinin Farina coachbuilt cabriolets have been steadily rising over recent years and now stand very high.Our car is not a concours show car but presents smartly and elegantly.It is a good car to run and improve as you go.A similar Aprilia Cabriolet,slightly less attractive is currently available in Italy for 130,000 Euro's,our example is on offer at £45995.00.
As always,viewing is welcome and highly recommended and can be arranged for any reasonable day and time.There's no better way to find out what is being offered.
I'm also happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the car, either by email or by telephone 01672 512879 / 07813394167
Overseas interest is welcome and we can help with export/transport,if required.
Many thanks for taking the time to read the text,do feel free to email or call with any questions.
If this car is of interest,you may also be interested in other cars currently available.
These include the following......
Lancia Aurelia B10s Berlina.Recently found on a trip to Italy,just 5 owners,all around the Milan area.Superb condition inside and out and previously reviewed in Classic Car Weekly magazine.
Lancia Aurelia B50 Cabriolet.Recently restored and used on European as well as UK rallies.
1993 Saab 900T Cabriolet.
Metallic blue,grey leather.Just one owner from new with FSH and a very impressive history file including all bills and receipts.
Arriving Shortly
1957 Lamborghini DL30 Tractor.Up and running,a charming little tractor and surely a must for Lamborghini collectors?
Lancia Flaminia Sedan 2.8.
Lovely,stylish and beautifully built Saloon.
www.europeanclassiccars.co.uk
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