The Aprilia is one of the great Lancias and was in production from 1937 until 1949, with 20,064 sedans produced and 8,550 separate chassis for coach builders, for a total production of more than 28,000 examples. Rarely seen in the US, but much admired by those who have driven them, they are remarkable for their advanced engineering, innovative solutions, and a delightful aerodynamic and throughly modern monocoque.
The Aprilia story is full of interesting aspects: early aerodynamic models, it is a true compact and lightweight sedan weighing some 880 kg, growing up to 950 kg for the sedans (coachbuilt examples were significantly heavier). Engine was a narrow angle V 4, originally of 1352 cc, and finally of 1486 cc. Finally, there is the little sister, the Ardea, almost identical in looks, a bit smaller in size, and with a 903 cc engine. For more information, please seek out Wim Oude Weernincks’ “La Lancia” or Nigel Trow’s “Shield and the Flag”.
The Aprilia story is full of interesting aspects: early aerodynamic models, it is a true compact and lightweight sedan weighing some 880 kg, growing up to 950 kg for the sedans (coachbuilt examples were significantly heavier). Engine was a narrow angle V 4, originally of 1352 cc, and finally of 1486 cc. Finally, there is the little sister, the Ardea, almost identical in looks, a bit smaller in size, and with a 903 cc engine. For more information, please seek out Wim Oude Weernincks’ “La Lancia” or Nigel Trow’s “Shield and the Flag”.
Aprilias are fascinating technical cars. A few engine details, largely from Peter Renou and Noel Macwhirter (Aprilia)
