| “Now listen: here comes the real car!” Lancia! She will surely catch up with both Mercedes and Renault, like a wolf with a pair of lambs. Just listen to how the engine works! Like an organ!Erich Maria Remarque, "Three Comrades" |
An Italian car manufacturer with a long and interesting history. Once legendary, but almost forgotten in our days brand.
Vincenzo Lancia was born on August 24, 1881. His father was a rich industrialist engaged in meat products and made a lot of money on this. But Vincenzo disappointed him by not showing any interest in sausages and hams. But cars attracted him with terrible force. Already at the age of 17, he is involved in the design and assembly of a car for FIAT, where he soon becomes the main tester. The racing career of a talented Italian begins. And it should be noted that he was a great racer.
But this was not enough for Vincenzo. At the age of 25 (1906) he, together with his friend Claudio Foggolino (Claudio Fogolino), founded his own company, calling it Fabbrica Automobili Lancia. A year later, the tipo 51 model appears. In the future, the models produced by the company are called the letters of the Greek alphabet - Alfa, Beta, Gamma, and Theta, which appeared in 1913 and brought the company fame as an innovator (for the first time electric lighting began to be installed in series) and a manufacturer of exceptionally reliable cars .
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| Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider. 1955 (image from the official site) |
The First World War forced to switch to the production of military equipment - armored vehicles. This only benefited the company. Having accumulated sufficient funds and possessed large production capacities, Lancia smoothly and elegantly enters its golden age. Despite the early death of Vincenzo Lancia in 1937, the company is doing great, introducing exceptionally stylish and elegant models to the market.
True, one should not think that the company was engaged exclusively in sports cars. Buses, trolleybuses and trucks were also produced. The experience in the production of military equipment was not forgotten either.
World War II Lancia also experiences without much harm to himself. But ten years later, serious problems begin. The fact is that luxurious and very expensive cars are becoming less and less in demand. At the same time, the company spends huge amounts of money on research and development of new technologies. Participation and victories in motor racing (Formula 1, circuit racing, as well as rally racing, where the greatest success was achieved) were also given at a huge expense. Wrong marketing only exacerbates the current situation. As a result, the company begins to experience serious financial difficulties. In 1969 Lancia was absorbed FIATfrom which it all began. The management of the concern retained the legendary brand, but they also did not pay much attention to it. The era of decay has begun.
Today, little reminds of its former glory. Although branded Lancia cars and are distinguished by attractive design and good performance, they clearly do not reach their eminent ancestors.
In 2006, when the restructuring took place Fiat Group, many expected that as a result of her Lancia will cease to exist altogether. But this, fortunately, did not happen. The logo has changed and even there is hope for a revival.
Office Lancia Automobiles SpA located in Turin, Italy (Turin, Italy).
