1925 Lancia Lambda 5th Series

Torpedo
Chassis number: 13603
Engine number: 33635

The Lancia Lambda, a revolutionary automobile, was introduced at the Paris Auto Salon in 1922. Built between 1923 and 1931, the Lambda pioneered the unitary or monocoque method of car construction, where the body and chassis are built as one unit. Vincenzo Lancia was one of the most gifted and innovative engineers of all time, and the company that bears his name was the first car company to manufacture both a narrow-angle V4 engine and a V6 in series-production road cars. If that wasn't enough, it also pioneered the use of independent suspension.

This 5th Series Lancia Lambda is one of just over 1,000 built in 1925. It features rare Magnetti Marelli electrics and Zeiss headlights and is also fitted with Lancia's distinctive dog-leg windshield. The car was acquired by its current owner in 2016, and it has just been restored.

Roadster by Casaro

Vincenzo Lancia's Lambda was incredibly advanced for 1925. The Lambda was one of the first cars to be built with an all-steel monocoque body, a V4 overhead-cam alloy engine, and a fully independent front suspension. Without a separate chassis, very few Lambdas received custom coachwork, but this car, bodied by Carrozzeria Casaro, was an exception. The 5th series Lambda left the Lancia factory with a factory-built 'torpedo' body and was delivered to Casaro in Turin. Six inches were added to the cowl, and the front doors and seats were moved accordingly. The rear doors were removed, and a rumble seat was added for occasional rear passengers. Finally, Casaro added the sweeping fenders. The car was initially owned by members of the Lipton Tea family of San Diego. It was once believed to have been owned by the actress Gloria Swanson - but, in any case, it was definitely owned by Twentieth Century Fox, so Swanson may well have driven it back in the day. The car appeared in at least six movies, including The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, before being sold to Bill Harrah. Its current owner bought the car in 1986, and it has undergone an extensive restoration in recent years.

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