Frequently Asked Questions about Classic Lancia

Who founded Lancia and when?

Lancia was founded in Turin, Italy, in November 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and Claudio Fogolin, who had both worked for Fiat. Most sources, including Lancia's own press material, give November 27, while Stellantis Heritage gives November 29. Vincenzo Lancia had raced for Fiat, and the company carries his surname, which is also the Italian word for lance. Its first car, the 12 HP, was shown at the 1908 Turin Motor Show and was later renamed Alfa.

Who owns Lancia today?

Lancia belongs to Stellantis, the group created in January 2021 when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with PSA. The Lancia family controlled the company until the mid-1950s, when it passed to entrepreneur Carlo Pesenti; most sources date the handover to 1956. Fiat took over the financially troubled firm in late 1969, and Lancia has remained with Fiat and its successor groups ever since.

Why are Lancia models named after Greek letters?

Lancia adopted letters of the Greek alphabet as model names in 1919, the year of the Kappa, and applied them retroactively to earlier cars, so the first 12 HP became the Alfa. After World War II the company named cars after Roman roads, including the Aurelia, Appia, Flaminia, Flavia and Fulvia. Greek letters returned with the Beta of 1972, followed by the Gamma in 1976 and the Delta in 1979.

What was innovative about the Lancia Lambda?

The Lancia Lambda, introduced in 1922, replaced the separate chassis that was normal at the time with a load-bearing unitary body. It also had independent front suspension, which Classic & Sports Car describes as an industry first, brakes on all four wheels and a narrow 2.1-liter V4 engine. About 13,000 Lambdas were built before production ended in 1931.

Did Lancia build the first production V6 engine?

Lancia is credited with the first series-production V6 engine, which appeared in the Aurelia in 1950. Engineer Francesco De Virgilio developed the 60-degree design, and in the first Aurelia B10 sedan it displaced 1,754 cc and made 56 horsepower. The Aurelia mounted its gearbox at the rear, and the V6 grew from 1.8 to 2.5 liters over the model's life.

Did Lancia sell cars in the United States?

Lancia sold cars in the United States until 1982, when it left the market. From 1975 its American range was based on the Fiat-engined Beta, offered as a sedan, a coupe and the three-door HPE, alongside the Montecarlo sports car, which was renamed Scorpion because Chevrolet already used the Monte Carlo name. The Beta Spider was sold in America as the Lancia Zagato.

How many World Rally Championship titles did Lancia win?

Lancia won 10 World Rally Championship manufacturers' titles. The Stratos took three in a row from 1974 to 1976, the two-wheel-drive Rally 037 won in 1983, and the Delta won six consecutive titles from 1987 to 1992. Before the world championship began, the Fulvia Coupe had secured the 1972 International Championship for Manufacturers, its forerunner. Some sources add that 1972 win and credit Lancia with 11 titles.

What years was the Lancia Fulvia made?

The Lancia Fulvia was built from 1963 to 1976. It arrived in 1963 as a four-door Berlina sedan, and the Coupe followed in 1965, joined by a Zagato-bodied Sport. Sedan production ended in 1972, while the Coupe continued until 1976. Every Fulvia had front-wheel drive and a narrow-angle V4 engine, which started at 1,091 cc and eventually reached 1,584 cc.