1926 Lancia Lambda 6th Series

Torpedo Tourer
Chassis number: 14656
Engine number: 4709

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 Dan Vaughan

The Lancia Lambda was produced from 1922 through 1931. In 1919 the designing process began and given a monocoque chassis, sliding pillar front suspension, four-wheel brakes and a 'vee' four-cylinder engine. The load-bearing monocoque body was an industry first, and would take the rest of the market thirty years to incorporate the design. Vincenzo Lancia had been inspired by ship designs and the load-bearing principles of the hull, which he incorporated into the vehicle's design. The vehicle's strength came from the driveshaft tunnel which formed the backbone of the car. This meant a heavy frame was not needed.

The Tipo 67 engine had overhead camshafts and displaced 2570cc's. With the help of Zenith Triple Diffuser carburetors, nearly 70 horsepower was ascertained. This was the most powerful engine to propel the Lambda, other options throughout the years included a 2119cc and 2370cc unit. The 2119cc engine had a 13-degree vee angle and produced about 50 horsepower. The 14-degree vee 2370cc unit improved horsepower by 10, to 59.

It only took a few years before Lancia was claiming to have 'The Best Medium Powered Car in the World.' They stated that this was accomplished because the cars were 'Not built to a price but as a masterpiece of advanced design and engineering skill - to satisfy the most discriminating Motorist who demands the utmost in quality, appearance and performance.'

The Lambda had a touring body style but handling and performance characteristics of a sports car. To capitalize on the vehicle's sporty characteristics, Lancia prepared a Mille Miglia (MM) version to race in the grueling Mille Miglia race. The company's efforts were rewarded with top-ten finishes.

From 1922 through 1931, Lancia created over 11,000 examples of the Lambda in eight different series with three different iterations of the narrow V4 engine.

by Dan Vaughan