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The Lancia
Appia was presented in the year 1953 as successor for the Lancia Ardea.
The Lancia Appia was placed below the Lancia Aurelia in the Lancia model
program. From 1953 until 1959 the Appia series 1 and 2 models were built
as the Appia model series 3 was built from 1959 until 1963.
Especially in Italy the Lancia Appia was very popular, people who
thought a Fiat was too common bought a Lancia Appia. The Appia was more
expensive than any Fiat model of the same size but the Lancia buyers
became more luxury and excellent roadholding capabilities in return with
the compact Appia! During all years of production the Lancia Appia was
also popular amongst the Italian "carrozzeria". The bodywork
artists created very nice coupe and convertible models based on the
Appia. Many of these creations were one-offs and others were build in
small series.
A very interesting coupe model based on the Appia was the Appia GT
Zagato. This GT was hand built by Zagato in very small series for racing
and rally competitions. The cars featured an aluminium unitary bodywork
structure and they were very light, only 790 kg. The Appia GT Zagato
models were based upon the Lancia Appia series 1 and 2. A total of 153
GT Zagato cars have been built. With the introduction of the Appia
series 3 Zagato started building the Appia GTE (Esportazione) Zagato
which was equipped with the more powerful series 3 engine. The GTE V4
engine delivered a power output of 60 bhp. from a cylinder capacity of
1090 cc. Considering the low weight, the excellent streamline and the
excellent roadholding the Appia GTE Zagato was a competitive sports car
those days. A total of 253 Appia GTE Zagato cars have been built between
1959 and 1963.
Technical data
V4 engine (60º)
1 double choked Weber carburettor
cylinder capacity: 1090 cc.
capacity: 60 bhp. at 4900 rpm.
top-speed: 160 km/h. - 100 mph.
gearbox: 4- speed, manual
weight: 790 kg.
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