Usually, when one bandies about the “Survivor” term it’s in reference to a sparingly used domestic model of some esteem. But a survivor Lancia? Well, why not, the title shouldn’t know a specific auto nationality and that’s the case with this 1960 Lancia Appia. It’s a compact four-door sedan, with reverse-opening rear doors no less, and one that’s missed my attention over the years. This one is in spectacular shape so let’s check it out. Located in Long Beach, California and discovered by Matt R, this Lancia is available, here on craigslist for $18,850.
Offered between 1953 and 1963, most Appia’s were constructed as four-door sedans though some chassis were farmed out to various coachbuilders to construct coupes and convertibles. Total Appia production reached about 107K copies with the vast majority being saloons, such as our subject car.
This 33K mile example came from a collection and is now part of an estate sale. Well, it certainly looks great and the seller claims, “As original as you will find ……. and no rust anywhere. Body is strait without dents or imperfections“. Obviously, this sedan has been garaged and it’s not hard to imagine it has been in a climate-controlled environment. The finish, chrome, stainless trim, glass, rubber et al shows just the slightest hint of refined age and that’s to be expected on a 62-year-old vehicle.
The interior’s condition matches that of the exterior – it looks as if it has never experienced a single behind. The seating upholstery is spotless and the door cards are showing just a hint of wrinkling. As expected for a car from this era, the instrument panel displays just the facts in a very minimalist way. No seatbelts? No surprise here.
The engine configuration is a bit different as it’s a 48 HP, 1.1 liter, V4 connected to a four-speed manual transmission actuated via a column shift. A V4 engine architecture is not one encountered every day! The seller adds, “Recent work on the car includes cleaning out the fuel tank, new fuel pump, new radiator, muffler, plugs and wires, wheel cylinders, and brakes. Today this is a good running and reliable car with more character than should be allowed“.
We have covered the Appia here on Barn Finds in the past but not too often and this example is certainly the first that I can recall. Normally small Italian cars of this generation, that surface for sale, are usually pretty rusted out and banged up – hardly the case here as this Lancia is in remarkable condition. It makes one wonder what the motivation was to carefully store this fairly innocuous commodity car over all these years. Whatever the reason, I’m glad that someone had the foresight, I’d call this one a happy find!
That’s one ambitious air cleaner.
Lancia was a very innovative car manufacturer with a lot of automotive firsts such as the 5-speed transmission, first with a transaxle, first V4 and V6 engines, first car to feature independent suspension and the list goes on. That V4 engine like their others that came in the Fulvia that replaced this model just have one cylinder head to cover both banks. I used to think VW was the innovator with its VR series of engines that found its way in the golf all the way to the Bugatti Veyron but that honor goes to Lancia.
Rare to see this Appia in remarkable condition and as mentioned before the Fulvia followed which is one of my favorite cars Lancia produced. The Fulvia was the first car that transitioned from rear to front wheel drive for the maker. Hopefully this Appia makes it to a museum for others to see and enjoy.
Alphasud, as I read your comment, you are saying this engine has two cylinder heads but later engines had one for the narrow-angle V4? Is that correct.
No, I made the statement confusing. This one has one cylinder head and 2 camshafts. One for intake and one for exhaust. The later ones have just one cam.
Alphasud. It’s still not clear to me if there were separate inlet and exhaust camshafts. When I look at the distance between the two valve covers I am wondering how either the valves on the opposite side were operated from each camshaft or are there long ports inside the head from one side to the other like a V8 side valve Ford. It looks more likely to me that each camshaft has both inlet and exhaust cams for each of the two pairs of cylinders notwithstanding it is all within a common cylinder head.
Also, to further confuse me, the photo shows a carburettor on the far side but the cropping doesn’t allow me to see what is on the bottom of the photo.
Can you enlighten me some more because the head casting must have been quite complicated. Thank you.
bella!!!
That body really appears to be s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t. Maybe the owner is in dire “straits” and needs to come up with $$$.
It must have been a great deal. It’s already gone!
Would love to have this example to park next to the shiny Italian exotics that inevitably show up at the Cars and Coffee. Anyone with deep enough pockets can have one of them. Tasty little Italian sedans with a 4 on the tree? Not a bunch of look at me types need apply.
Nice car. The $18K price tag is a little too steep for my retirement budget.But it is a Lancia and appears to be in good shape. I believe finding parts to keep it running and in good condition would be a bit of a challenge. Usually if I’m considering a car like this I hit multiple car parts sites and see what is available for it before I make a final decision to buy or not buy.
yes, lancia 1 of my fav companies.
B great to have that bent4 to play with. Something different bout it too.
45* or sompin (not the 60 or 90 of most others?) May B it was sompin different.
What great condition. Element get their dor ideas from this?
10 degree I think. What a beautiful example!
Wish I had the money.