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Padova Finarte / Collector Cars

Friday 25 October 2019, 02:30 PM • Padua

5

1935 Lancia Lancia Augusta (Lancia)

chassis no. 318305, engine no. 8654

Lot subjected to VAT (if due) or sold as in-bond

Estimate

€ 37.000 - 42.000

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Information

  • Eligible for Mille Miglia and major re-evocation events.
  • As a pre-war vehicle, it has the benefit of positioning early in the starting order.
  • Original plates: registration dated 1935.
  • In perfect order and with zero km mechanics.

Certifications and Statements
ASI (Targa Oro).
Documents
Original registration and Italian license plates from 1935, in order.
Eligibility
  • Mille Miglia. Eligible. As a prewar has the benefit of positioning early on the starting line.
  • Giro di Sicilia. Eligible.
  • Targa Florio. Eligible. Winner of the 1936 Targa Florio.
  • Goodwood Revival. Eligible
  • Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti. Eligible.
  • Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia. Eligible.
  • Winther Marathon. Eligible.
  • California Mille: Eligible.
  • Nürburgring Classic. Eligible.
  • Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.
  • Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Eligible.
  • Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille. Eligible.
  • Concorso d’eleganza Villa D’Este. Eligible.

Provenance

The model
The Augusta was a product designed for that moment. The heir of the Lambda would have been big but what was needed was a small, inexpensive car which was nonetheless comfortable and fast: a sort of utility car (according to the canons of the time) but of the elite. The new car was designed with rear-hinged rear doors to facilitate accessibility, with central mass distribution with respect to the axles. The shape is narrow for easy handling, compensated by an increased height and large windows. The line is slender but classic, for everyone. It is quiet, fast and reliable. The Augusta was loved by contemporaries and then forgotten, with less sporting glories than other Lancias (with some notable exceptions) but leaving many memories in every family that had owned one. It was the first Lancia built on an assembly line and turned out to be the first truly modern designed vehicle, built by welding the sheets into a single non-deformable structure. In 1935 the Augusta represented 90% of Lancia's industrial activity, with excellent economic results. Its presentation took place in 1932 at, as was customary with Lancia, the Paris Motor Show. For the French market, the machine was called "Belna". When it was presented at the Salone di Milano in April 1933, the official name was Augusta, decidedly more important and "littorio". It featured many innovative or unusual features, such as the narrow V-cylinder engine, independent front suspension with helical springs, insertable freewheel, transmission with shaft and “Hardy” flexible couplings. The braking came from the new "Lockheed" hydraulic system. Even the trunk included in the body shape was a novelty. The dashboard was very complete by the standards of the time and category. Among those who admired the Augusta, buying and using it, were three famous driving champions: Tazio Nuvolari, Achille Varzi and Luigi Fagioli. The 1,195 cc and 35 hp V4 engine with overhead valves, according to surveys carried out by Autocar magazine, pushed the Augusta sedan to a top speed of 65.22 mph (104.96 km/h), accelerating from standstill to 50 mph (80.5 km/h) in 22.6 seconds. Although a sparkling performer, the Augusta was not designed for racing, although its palmarès remains appreciable. Confirmation of the success of the Augusta came in 1934, at the backbreaking 1st Giro automobilistico d'Italia or Coppa d'Oro del Littorio where the car, which had practically no rivals in its category, endured hours on the limit of 100 km/h. It’s most important performance occured at the 1936 Targa Florio with 4 Lancia Augustas in the top 4. The Augusta also participated in the 1935 Mille Miglia with as many as 10 cars and in 1937 with 5 cars. Best result in that year: Vittorio Mazzonis di Pralafera and Enrico Nardi, 17th overall. Still in the early post-war years, some Augustas appeared in the races. In total 17,217 vehicles were manufactured, of which 2,950 in 1933.
The car
The Lancia Augusta, chassis no. 318305 is a 1935 car of the "lusso" series, with double spare wheel, in this case with chrome-plated protective shells. The car is currently registered with the first registration number plates, Milano with four digits (MI2563), still showing the fascist symbol. The engine is the original type 88, with no. 8654. The car has an excellent appearance and is fully functional. It was completely restored about 20 years ago. The car has a two-tone green-black paintwork, with a double light thread running from the nose to the tail, along the beltline. The steel wheels have a peculiar star design, painted black with light threads and triangular openings for drum brakes ventilation. The interiors are in beige cloth, in perfect condition, the original instrumentation is complete. The mechanics and the engine have recently been completely redone: it can therefore be considered a car, mechanically, zero km. Perfectly working in all its peculiarities such as, for example, the mobile "eyelids" of the radiator that open progressively when the cooling circuit liquid gets hot. The electrical system is the original 6V one. The lights were updated to the new highway code in the 1960s. It’s fitted with right Michelin tires with the tread pattern of the time. The car has been ASI "Targa Oro" certified. The old “pages” booklet, with plasticized cover, dates back to the early 1960s.
State of the Art 
Complete restoration, not recent. Zero km mechanics.

Literature

  • Wim Oude Weernink, La Lancia, Motor Racing Pubblications, UK 1979.
  • Ferruccio Bernabò, Alfio Manganaro, Lancia Catalogue Raisonnè 1907-1990, Automobilia, Italia 1990.

Condition report

To request a Condition Report, please contact automotive@finarte.it The department will provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Please note that what Finarte declares with respect to the state of conservation of the objects corresponds only to a qualified opinion and that we are not professional conservators or restorers. We urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. We always suggest prospective buyers to inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition during the exhibition days as indicated in the catalog.