Lancia Lambda (1928)

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Veteran Car Mille Miglia 1928 The Eighth Series Lambda embodies an extraordinary combination of engineering innovation, sporting character and coachbuilt elegance This specific example was not merely a Lambda subsequently used in competition, it was one of a very small number of cars specifically prepared by Lancia for the 1928 Mille Miglia The Eighth-Series was powered by Lancia’s Tipo 79 engine, a technically advanced 2,569 cc narrow-angle V4. This specific example is distinguished by its special Romagnoni & Pirrotta competition cylinder head, fitted as part of Lancia’s preparation for the 1928 Mille Miglia and increasing output to approximately 80 hp Among eligible automobiles, genuine prewar veterans are exceptionally rare and especially sought after Very few automobiles combine Mille Miglia prewar veteran status, an excellent starting position and the maximum coefficient for the race being 1.8 It represents one of the most compelling and difficult-to-replicate opportunities for the serious 1000 Miglia entrant During the 1920s, Lancia stood at the forefront of European automotive engineering, combining technical innovation, refined construction and an unmistakable sense of elegance. Founded in Turin in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia, the company rapidly established a reputation for producing cars that were not merely means of transportation, but sophisticated engineering achievements. Introduced in 1922, the Lambda was arguably Lancia’s most revolutionary achievement of the period and one of the most technically significant cars of the entire prewar era. The Lambda was also distinguished by its independent front suspension, an innovation that gave the car exceptional roadholding and comfort for its time. The combination of low weight, low centre of gravity, independent suspension and sophisticated engine design endowed the Lambda with handling characteristics far beyond those of many contemporary automobiles. Over its production life, the Lambda evolved through nine series, introduced progressively between 1922 and 1931. Each series brought refinements and improvements, while retaining the fundamental engineering principles that had made the model so exceptional. The Eighth Series Lambda, introduced in 1928, represented a mature development of Lancia’s revolutionary concept. The Torpedo body style gave the Lambda a particularly sporting and elegant appearance. In period automotive terminology, “Torpedo” referred to an open four-seat touring body with a long, streamlined silhouette and a folding soft top. The name became widely used by European manufacturers during the 1910s and 1920s. Unlike a modern roadster, a Torpedo was generally conceived as a practical touring automobile, capable of carrying several passengers while offering the exhilaration of open-air motoring. The year 1928 was particularly significant for Lancia. The Lambda had already demonstrated its remarkable capabilities during the inaugural Mille Miglia in 1927. For the 1928 edition, Lancia took a more deliberate approach and prepared a select group of Lambda automobiles specifically for the event. Nine Eighth Series Lambdas were prepared for the 1928 Mille Miglia. Three were constructed as sporting spiders by Casaro for Lancia’s official effort, while six Torpedo-bodied examples were prepared for carefully selected private entrants. ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE The specific example is the last of the six Type 223 Torpedos prepared for the 1928 Mille Miglia, and, according to its Lancia certificate and the documentation, it is the unique known surviving example of the nine Lambda automobiles factory-prepared for that year’s event. This exceptional Series VIII Torpédo possesses an additional distinction: it is believed to be the sole surviving example of the nine Lambdas.