1951 LANCIA ARDEA 
No reserve



At the forefront of the European automobile pro…
Description

1951 LANCIA ARDEA

No reserve At the forefront of the European automobile production First production car with a 5-speed gearbox The forgotten little sister of the Aprilia No registration title Chassis n° 21035 With all their modernism and refinement, the Lancias of the 1930s were content to build on the rich heritage of the first in-house masterpiece: the Lambda. With its V4, monocoque structure and aerodynamic egg-shaped body, the Aprilia launched in 1937 was a small revolution. In 1939, Lancia further expanded its field of activity by presenting the Ardea, which looked like a smaller version of the Aprilia with, similar to its sister, a round back, short nose and doors without hinges or central pillars. Shorter by 35 cm, the Ardea still had its own style. The mechanics were a bit simpler, with a rigid rear axle, but not without refinement. The engine is still a V4 with a hemispherical cylinder head but with a displacement of 903cc (65 x 68 mm). It develops 28.8 hp at 4,600 rpm. The Ardea engine’s valve train is as ingenious as the Aprilia’s, but simpler thanks to its angled rocker arms. The connecting rods were made of aluminum and the gearbox was identical to that of its big sister. The launch of the little Ardea was hampered by the war and it was only after 1945 that it began its real commercial career. Vittorio Jano, who joined Lancia just before the war, created an improved version with the third series, with a trunk accessible from the outside, a 12-volt electrical system and Houdaille shock absorbers. It was launched at the Turin Motor Show in September 1948. It was distinguished by its five-speed gearbox, a first for a production car, fifteen years ahead of its time. The fourth and final series, like the car shown here, started on the 16th of November 1949 and included important mechanical modifications such as a new aluminum cylinder head, a higher compression ratio, a new carburetor and an increase in power to 30 hp. Despite the interruption caused by the war, the commercial career of the Ardea can be considered a success: 22,000 units were built until the beginning of 1953. The Ardea that we present to you has a very elegant and rare dark green color. It appears to us with a very beautiful patina, fruit of an old restoration of quality. If the interior was also redone, moths have done their work, and many holes are to be reported. It seems that a simple restart is necessary before enjoying this emblematic and performing Lancia.

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1951 LANCIA ARDEA

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