Suicide Doors: 1962 Lancia Appia Berlina
One of the drawbacks certain online platforms is the lack of options when it comes to presenting cars, and although I can’t prove it, I suspect the seller of this Lancia is a victim of a certain social media company’s limited understanding of makes and models. What is presented is not, as the title might suggest, an Aurelia, but a Lancia Appia. This intriguing sedan is located in Englewood, Colorado and advertised here on Facebook Marketplace for $7,000.
Originally introduced in 1953, by 1962 the Appia was on to its third series and would ultimately be offered for just one more year. Offered as a bare chassis and the Berlina we see here, the model received serious attention from the some of the most famous Italian coachbuilders of the era; among these, both Pininfarina and Zagato built amazing works of automotive art atop the Appia chassis. This despite its relative lack of power compared to earlier offerings from Lancia: the 1.1L V4 produced just 47 bhp, which would have given this Series 3 saloon a top speed of over 80 miles per hour, but not much more. But even setting aside the question of fuel economy, the engine saved owners on expenses, since Italy imposed extra taxes on engines displacing more than 1.1 liters.
Nothing projects style quite like a luxury sedan from 1962, swimming in leather all the way from the steering wheel back past the rear suicide doors. For a small car– by American standards, at least– the interior is quite large, with the back seat capable of accommodating three adults, so long as they are not too tall and very friendly. The underside of the car looks pretty solid, from tank to transmission, which is a column shift four-speed with synchro on the top three gears. Clearly some of the seats have been reupholstered, and the seller states that the car has been given a respray at some point, but everything appears to be in serviceable condition. In fact, if the new owner wanted to forego a restoration project, this might make a really interesting driver.
There’s a lot to like about a running, driving classic for under ten grand, and the seller indicates that the only thing actually required before hitting the road with this Appia is a new set of tires. The story does have a hitch, however, in that it seems that the same car (though listed as a 1961) may have been offered for auction on eBay in 2018. At that time, the engine was locked up. Needless to say, it would be worth an inquiry to determine if this remains the case; three years is plenty of time to get an engine sorted, but better safe than surprised. With that out of the way, if the car is in working condition, it’s potentially a lot of fun for less than you might spend on a Beetle of the same vintage.
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Comments
What a cool little car. I didn’t know Lancia made a V4 with 2 cylinder heads. I’m only familiar with their V6 and the narrow angle 4 that no doubt inspired the VW VR6 engine. Lancia was a real innovator in its heyday. Good price as well and probably the most rust free of any Lancia of that period.
It doesn’t run two cylinder heads, just 1 with 2 valve covers. Lancia also made a flat 4 in this time period for the Flavia.
I own one of these though it is a parts car and about to be turned into a planter. It is an interesting car and has a steel chassis with aluminum doors, and hood, the trunk is steel though. I have sold several parts off of it and have the engine mounted on a stand just as a conversation piece. Parts are difficult to find and are outrageously expensive for what it is, and they are extremely slow. If you want a vintage Lancia you would do far better by getting a Fuliva, Flaminia, Flavia or best of all an Aurelia. The Appia, particularly the Berlina model is just not that good.
I agree Kevin. I would love any of the cars you mentioned. As much as I stared at it when I looked at it last night there wasn’t any yearning despite how solid it was. Thanks for clearing up the cylinder head topic. I’m more familiar with the later model Lancia cars.
Kevin, that is true, those Lancias have a lot more guts and are more desirable. But they are much more expensive.
So much so that one could get this on the road, and enjoy it. And then, what does it need? More power? OK, Fulvia transplant or get more serious? How about the little 1100cc motor from a Aprilia motorcycle? Not much more torque than this, well, maybe a bit more, 80 ft/pds. But 175 HP at 11k rpm should make this little gem sit up and take notice.
Appealing car but Kevin L. Harper’s experience is worth taking on board. If $10000 is chump change and you want to be the only guy at Cars’n’Coffee etc, why not.
If you want to buy a classic on a budget, forget Lancia.
These are great cars, 4 speed column shift, high build quality, doors that shut like a a bank vault. The only problem I had was the engines are three pieces, alloy crankcase, cast steel cylinder bock, and alloy head. Water in the oil was not a head gasket, rather underside of cylinder block are 4 dime sized freeze like plugs that fail. Need to be pipe threaded and pluged.
BTW, the trick to listing obscure marques on FB Marketplace is to select Vehicle Type: Other, then it will let you enter any arbitrary marque name you want.
I know nothing about these cars , but I sure wouldn’t want to be hit in the side in one of them ; the complete lack of a B post would always be a worry to me