Our own Michelle wrote a tremendous post about this same Appia being for sale back in November of 2022; as it is now listed for sale for $250 less ($14,500) here on craigslist with the same pictures, my assumption would be that it didn’t sell the first time up. However, I think it’s worth an update post, and thanks go to Barn Finds reader Rocco B. for calling this repeat listing to our attention. As before, the car is located in Lyncourt, New York, near Syracuse.
One thing I find fascinating about unusual finds like this is researching whatever history I can. As it turns out, a previous seller of this actual car is a Barn Finds reader as well, and detailed his history of the car as a comment on Michelle’s post (you’ll have to scroll down a bit after clicking on the link). The car was purchased by that owner in 2006 sight unseen and turned into a major regret for them after it required a lot more professional restoration than expected. I was able to find this auction where the car was sold by them in 2017, and aside from installing the NOS hubcaps that were included and a new set of whitewall tires, it doesn’t appear that much has been done to the car since then. However, according to a valuation guide, this price should only purchase a condition #4 car, so perhaps this Lancia is a bargain after all!
Access for both rows of seats is incredible given the lack of a traditional “B” pillar. There was quite a debate in the comment section of Michelle’s post as to whether Lancia deserves its reputation as producing excellently engineered cars; they certainly designed and produced vehicles with eccentric features such as early V4 and V6 engines, arguably the world’s first unibody car (patented in 1918, produced in 1923), and independent suspension when most cars were using solid axles. There were only 22,425 Series 2 Appias produced between 1956 and 1959, and given their propensity to rust, I’m guessing there aren’t many left today.
Speaking of rust, the car is stated to have some below the radiator (pictured above) and in the battery box. It would be interesting to know if the bubbles around the door frame seen in pictures from the 2017 auction have been addressed; the craigslist pictures do not show enough detail to tell. Honestly, I’m surprised both areas mentioned by the seller haven’t been repaired as neither is in full view and both should be relatively easy fabrication and welding jobs.
While the interior is not perfect, it’s certainly in nice shape. By the way, that shifter is connected to a four-speed gearbox; for those of you that are familiar with shifting three-on-the-tree, imagine the additional complexity (and yes, I’m aware there are some 5-on-the-tree vehicles).
The small (1089 cc) and narrow-angled (10.14 degree) V4 featured two camshafts, one of which operates all the exhaust valves and the other all the intake valves. While the cylinder heads and crankcase/oil pan are aluminum, the block was cast iron. Now that this cool little Italian is up for sale for a third time, do you think it’s worth pursuing?
It’s unfortunate that a brand with such a rich, innovative engineering history has been reduced to a sad, little city car offered only in Italy.
Three years ago, in Italy, I saw a Chrysler mini van badged as a Lancia. It brought a tear to my eye.
My suggestion to the seller is look up sites for Italy to sell cars and post it there, the cost of shipping overseas has come way down figure out what it would cost to ship it back to Italy then add that to your price and offer free shipping
Unfortunately this would be $8-10000 in Europe and if someone wants to find an Appia in EU, it´s pretty much a buyer´s market.
Appias are cute, but too slow for most people and parts supply is not easy.
What you saw was a Fiat, the newer minivans with the weird lights at the bottom of the A pillar are Fiats. Previous ones were Mercedes/sprinter. Fiat bought out most of what Mercedes owned in Chrysler.
Rolling works of art, extremely high quality, now with relatively little appeal. A shame. I do hope it finds a good home.