The Lancia Ardea, introduced in 1939, was a 'luxury utility' model a size down from its big brother, the Aprillia. The car is similar in layout, but simpler in design, with a solid rear axle and no trunk opening. The name followed Lancia's convention of models named after Roman Empire coastal towns and roads; Ardea, Aprillia, Appia, Aurelia, etc. The Ardea was built in four Series, each improving on its predecessor. The Series I cars were all pre-war; Series II production started in 1941 and picked up after the end of the War, with 12V electrical systems. The third Series introduced a five-speed transmission (the world's first in a production model), while the Series IV cars used an aluminium-alloy cylinder head with higher compression ratio, upping horsepower from 24 to 30. While most post-war continental European cars were left hand drive, intended for driving on the right, Lancia continued offering right hand drive cars in small markets into the 1960s, mostly mountainous areas where the driver needed to be able to see the edge of steep cliffs while driving. The Ardea was replaced by the Appia in 1953.

This Ardea was registered as new in Spain in 1944, although the chassis number indicates it was one of 506 Series II Ardeas built in 1942, further factory records indicate that only two Ardeas were produced in 1944. Its history between 1942 and 1944 is therefore unknown, although a number of private Italian cars were appropriated by the Italian or German forces then later released back to private owners. The car remained registered and used sparingly in the dry climate of southern Spain and was imported into the UK in 2024 by a Lancia collector and now registered as XXG 754. Prior to that the car had sat in dry storage for a number of years although it had passed the Spanish ITV (equivalent of an MoT) in 2017. In 2024, it was sent to UK Lancia specialists Omicron to be re-commissioned and is now in fine running order. Omicron's work, costing close to £5,000, included removing the engine, stripping and rebuilding the head, rebuilding the carburettor, sorting the engine electrics, rebuilding the dynamo, remedial work to line up the clutch and flywheel, and numerous related small jobs to ensure the car was running correctly.

Ardeas are universally respected and admired by knowledgeable automotive enthusiasts as a revolutionary small car, eons ahead of the typical British car of the period. One long-time owner and enthusiast of the Ardea was the renowned motoring journalist Ronald 'Steady' Barker who was a connoisseur of automotive technology, so the Ardea's appeal to such a man is understandable. This wonderfully preserved example offers a fine chance to acquire a well sorted and attractively presented car. Consigned by Will Penrose

Guide Price £10,000-£14,000

Lot details
Year: 1944
Make: Lancia
Model: Ardea
Registration: XXG 754
Chassis No: 2504611
Odometer: tba

* One of the most advanced small saloons of its day
* Original right hand drive
* Freshly rebuilt engine by Omicron