1934 Lancia Augusta Saloon

Footnotes

One of the most gifted automobile engineers of all time, Vincenzo Lancia founded his own company in 1906, having previously been in FIAT's employ as chief test driver. Introduced in 1907, the first Lancia car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention that would remain associated with the marque well into the modern era. Military vehicles, lorries, vans and aero engines followed, the latter enabling Lancia to accrue valuable expertise in the design and construction of 'V'-configuration power plants. Lancia's first V-engined model - the V8 Trikappa sports car - appeared in 1922 but it was the Lambda, launched soon after, that would prove to be of even greater significance. A milestone in automotive history, the revolutionary Lambda was the world's first car to have a stress-bearing body and the first to be powered by a V4 engine. The absence of a separate chassis meant the driver could sit lower, enabling a low aerodynamic body line to be achieved, while Lancia's patented sliding-pillar independent front suspension endowed the Lambda with ride and handling qualities unmatched by anything in its class.

At the other end of the scale from Lancia's large Lambda, Dilambda, Astura and Artena models was the Augusta, produced from 1933 to 1936. Like its larger siblings, the Augusta was powered by a V-configuration engine - a 1,196cc four - and had Lancia's trademark sliding-pillar independent front suspension. Like all Lancias, the little Augusta was exquisitely engineered and technologically advanced.

According to the Estratto Cronologico (copy on file), this beautifully presented Lancia Augusta Saloon was first registered on 23rd March 1934 in the province of Udine in Northern Italy, having left the factory on 9th March 1934. Stunningly finished in dark blue with grey cloth interior, the car presents beautifully and has formed part of the vendor's exclusive private collection since 2019.

It is offered with Italian registration documents; the aforementioned Estratto Cronologico copy; Lancia Classiche Certificate of Origin; ASI certificate of historical relevance; and a very rare original instruction manual for the Lancia Augusta.

Please note that these lot will require an Export License to be exported out of Italy.