1925 Lancia Lambda Torpedo 55 Series 5

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 vee-configuration engines. Lancia's first vee-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. The engine, an overhead-camshaft unit of 2,120cc, was progressively enlarged, arriving at its final 2,570cc, 68bhp configuration in 1928.

The Lambda enjoyed a long production run which continued right through to 1931 with a total of nine Series. Series 1 through 5 are recognised by marque aficionados as the most true to concept with the 5th Series of 1925 benefitting from the arrival of the four-speed gearbox.

The Lambda on offer here is indeed a Series 5 car from 1925 and is clothed in Torpedo 2+2 touring bodywork. At some point in the past it was shortened to a 9' 4" wheelbase and, although the rear seats retain their original dimensions, the rear passenger doors are much narrower. It has been used extensively over the years in VSCC competition by Geoff Moore, a regular entrant at Prescott and other hill climbs. On his entry form, our vendor noted;

"On a recent test drive whilst photographing the car pre-sale, it started instantly and quickly settled to a steady idle on all cylinders. It's really well set up and has a superb exhaust rasp. Torque is huge and it will pull from 500rpm in top. Third gear is worn and can sometimes fall out on overrun. It will cruise at 60mph with ease and the brakes are good. It was painted in 1981 and has a wonderful patina, particularly inside where the front seats are original with some tears in the black leather. Lovely original instruments and gauges on the dash and the car is supplied with a spare gearbox".

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a true vintage sports car with competition provenance and many more years of sporting motoring ahead.