1930 Lancia Lambda 8th Series

The strength required by a ship's hull to resist the forces of the oceans is said to have inspired Vincenzo Lancia to create the Lambda model. It was unveiled to the public at the 1922 Paris Salon and was developed through 9 Series over its nine years of existence. It received the world's first monocoque motorcar body which meant it did not need a separate chassis. The transmission tunnel that formed the backbone of the car provided the vehicle with much of its strength. Weighing less than the traditional automobile and with the passengers seated beside, rather than above, the drive shaft, the vehicle's center of gravity was lowered, as was its roofline. Equally advanced as the chassis was the water-cooled, narrow-angle SOHC V4 engine. Indeed, the Lancia Lambda was sophisticated and unique.

Before the Lancia marque was created, Sig. Vincenzo Lancia worked as an inspector for Fiat and later, as a successful racing car driver. In late November of 1906, the Lancia company as formed with the purpose of building groundbreaking cars for both road and track. The vehicles they created were paragons of dynamic design and creative engineering. They were lightweight and strong, capable of sustaining the tremendous load required of a high-performance automobile.

The first six series of Lambda cars employed a 2,121cc engine, the seventh series had a 2,375cc displacement, and the eighth and ninth series models used a 2,569cc displacement with output rated at 69bhp. A three-speed manual gearbox was used initially, while later Lambdas received a four-speed unit. The suspension used conventional semi-elliptic leaf springs and friction dampers at the rear with the front being independent courtesy of pioneering sliding pillars with coil springs accompanied by hydraulic dampers. Drum brakes provided the stopping power and steering was by work and wheel. The chassis had a 122-inch wheelbase on all Series 1 to Series 9 models, and a 134.6-inch wheelbase was available on Series 6 to 9 models.

Production of the Lancia Lambda lasted from 1922 to 1931. The First Series was built through 1923, with 400 examples built. The Second Series was built between 1923 and 1924, with 1,100 units built. They were distinguished from the First Series by minor engine modifications. The Third Series, also distinguished by minor engine modifications, was produced in 1924 with 800 units created. The Fourth Series had a modified windscreen and were built in 1924 and 1925 with 850 created. The Fifth Series introduced a four-speed gearbox and were built in 1925 with 1,050 created. The Sixth Series was the first to be offered in two-wheelbase sizes (Tipo 216/217 long chassis or the shorter Tipo 218/219 Corta model). External identifying features from earlier series included smaller doors and a distinctive boot-lid design. They were built in 1925 and 1926, with 1,050 units created. Displacement grew to 2,375cc for the Seventh Series; production lasted from May 1926 to 1928, with 3,100 units built. Displacement grew again, to 2,569cc, for the Eighth Series models, built between 1928 and 1930. Total production was 3,903 units. The Ninth and final series was built in 1931 with 500 examples created.

The Lancia Lambda was a perennial success in the Mille Miglia endurance race in its day and Lancia sold in excess of 11,000 examples during its nine-year run

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2022