1926 Lancia Lambda 6th Series Torpedo Tourer

Over the production lifespan of the Lancia Lambdas, which consisted of 9 series, approximately 11,200 examples were built. Vincenzo Lancia founded his company in 1906, having previously worked at FIAT as chief test driver. Lancia introduced their own vehicle in 1907, which broke the conventional mold, with an innovative design that would remain associated with the marque well into the modern era.

Lancia had experience with vee-configured engines with the work with military vehicles and aero engines during World War I. In 1922, they introduced their first vee-engine model - the V8 Trikappa sports car - which was soon followed by the Lambda. The Lambda was the world's first car to have a stress-bearing body and the first to be powered by a V4 engine. The engine was an overhead-camshaft unit of 2120cc that was progressively enlarged over the years, arriving at its final 2570cc configuration in 1928. The driver sat lower in the frame, due to the absence of a separate chassis, enabling a low aerodynamic body line to be achieved. The company's patented sliding-pillar independent front suspension gave the Lambda ride and handling qualities unmatched by anything in its class.

This sixth-series Lambda is fitted with a 2120cc V4 engine. The early history of the car is not known; it is believed to have remained in Italy for much of its life, as it was living there in the 1990s. More recently, it has come to the United States. At some point in its life, the car was given a restoration. The body appears to have been repainted in the present blue, with black painted, correct 20-inch wire wheels and black tonneau cover. The interior upholstery also appears to have been redone. It has the correct and original gauges including a Jaeger MPH speedometer and clock, and Le Nivex fuel gauge.

There is a full top and side curtains and a rear-mounted spare.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014