Lancia Astura Fourth Series Four-Door Cabriolet by Pininfarina 1937, Itália
Motor : 3.0
Exterior : Verde
Interior : Couro Bege
Fotografia
Sophisticated, stylish, and
expensive, the Pinin Farina-designed Astura was Lancia’s premier luxury model
during the Art Deco era. The car displayed all the right attributes: flowing
lines, a whiff of flamboyance, and a fashionable aura that made it the choice
of Italian dignitaries – including Mussolini, who used an Astura coupe as his
government car. Produced from 1931 to 1939 in four series, the exquisite Astura
was regarded as one of the most beautiful cars of its time. Fewer than 3,000
models were built with only 426 in the fourth series – all long-wheelbase
versions.
This rare fourth series, four-door,
right-hand-drive Astura cabriolet has a rich history. It was originally
purchased in 1938 and shipped to London for the Italian ambassador. The car was
later acquired in Britain by Peter McAdam who retired to Toowoomba, Queensland,
Australia, in the late 1960s and brought the car with him. McAdam died soon
afterward, and his nephew inherited the car. In 1971, he sold it to the
previous owner, a Melbourne resident and Lancia aficionado. Dissatisfied with
the restoration the car received in England, in 1972 he elected to restore the
Astura from the ground up. Slowly but surely, the project took 30 years to
complete.
In restoring the Astura, the cast
iron engine – a 3.0-liter SOHC V-8 with 10 more horsepower than the 2.6-liter
unit used in the first and second series – with its aluminum crankcase was
fully rebuilt. So were the drivetrain, suspension, and brake and electrical
systems, with components repaired, restored, replaced, or upgraded to proper
operating condition.
The Astura’s cabriolet body also
received attention. The car has a mid-green paint color with a slightly lighter
shade above the molding line. Appropriate ornamentation includes a chromed
radiator grille and chromed louver moldings and molding strips along each side
of the car. All window glass was removed and polished. An emphasis was placed
on authenticity: tires, wheels, and hubcaps stayed true to the Art Deco look.
The spare tire is mounted on the trunk lid. A restored black convertible top
finishes the exterior appearance.
The cabin is exceptionally pleasing.
Seats have been reconstructed and covered with beige leather. The matching wood
and carpeting look fresh. The dashboard displays original Jaeger gauges and
includes a speedometer and tachometer, clock, fuel gauge, and oil pressure
gauge, all surrounded by three chromed escutcheon plates engraved with an Art
Deco pattern.
Since its rejuvenation, this very
drivable Astura has covered approximately 12,000 miles, some of which came from
participating in the 2015 Australian Lancia Register’s Rally at Castlemaine.
Combine that condition with the car’s
rare status, and the Astura stands as an opportunity no serious collector
should miss.
Fonte : https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19/arizona/lots/r0130-1937-lancia-astura-fourth-series-four-door-cabriolet-by-pinin-farina/734732
