1949 Lancia Aprilia Fastback Sedan

The Lancia Aprilia, produced from 1937 through 1949, was one of the first vehicles designed using wind tunnels. Production commenced in February 1937, the month in which the firm's founder died. The Aprilia was the last of Vincenzo Lancia's designs, featuring four pillarless doors.

The streamlined design of the Lancia Aprilia had a dramatic effect on performance while maintaining a popular and attractive physical appearance. The low drag coefficient of 0.47 design was created in the revolutionary wind tunnel at the Polytechnic University of Turin. Along with its futuristic design, it was given a tremendous level of technology.

The Aprilia had a fastback shape, pillarless coachwork, a fully independent suspension, and featured Lancia's compact and capable V-4, initially in 47 horsepower, 1,352 cc tune, and later, as a 48 horsepower, 1,486 cc displacement engine.

This right-hand drive 1949 Aprilia is from the last year of production of the second series, which was introduced in 1939. The first owner took possession of the car on the 19th of January in 1949 in Turin. The car has remained in the area ever since. The car has had only two owners from new, each being the vehicle's caretaker for decades. The car was given a restoration in the early 1990s. An engine rebuild was performed in the early 2010s.

The 1486cc V-6 engine has a single overhead camshaft and offers nearly 50 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auctions in Monaco, where it was estimated to sell for €38.000-€45.000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for €31.360, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2012