THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Production period
- 1947
- Body style
- Berlinetta
- Engine
- V4
- Type
- Limited
- Displacement
- 1,486 cc
- Power
- 48 CV
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR
Coachbuilding, design & conversions
PRICE & SALES RECORD
Vehicle value
- Original price
- Not documented
- Latest recorded sale
- Not documented
01 / THE STORY
History & context
The Lancia Aprilia Berlinetta by Carrozzeria Bertone, designed in 1947, represents a significant milestone in automotive design, showcasing the distinctive “fish mouth” front design language. This innovative design was first presented at the Mostra della Carrozzeria Italiana in 1947 and quickly gained acclaim for its distinctive aesthetic and functional benefits. The “fish mouth” grille, a hallmark of this design, not only gave the car a unique and striking appearance but also contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency. This grille design was influential, later appearing on other notable vehicles such as the Fiat 1500, the Stanguellini Berlinetta and the Healey Cabriolet. The Lancia Aprilia Berlinetta embodied this style with its bold front end, reflecting Bertone’s commitment to merging visual appeal with performance. Bertone crafted a total of three examples of the Lancia Aprilia featuring this body style, each one a testament to their craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Berlinetta’s design was not only aesthetically pleasing but also aimed to enhance the car’s overall performance characteristics. The “fish mouth” grille, combined with other signature Bertone design elements, emphasized both form and function. These bespoke creations underline Bertone’s status as a leading coachbuilder in the mid-20th century, where each vehicle was meticulously tailored to meet the specific desires of its clients. The Lancia Aprilia Berlinetta by Bertone thus stands as a testament to the era’s design innovation and Mario Revelli di Beaumont’s artistic influence in automotive styling. It remains a celebrated example of how distinctive design can shape automotive history and contribute to the legacy of a premier coachbuilder.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Limited
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- V4
- Displacement
- 1,486 cc
- Power (CV)
- 48 CV
- Engine speed
- 4,300 rpm
- Transmission
- Manual 4-speed
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Specification notes
- Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Lancia Aprilia second series (1940–1949 in this projection): narrow-angle V4, 1486 cc, 48 CV at 4300 rpm, 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Coachbuilt-body dimensions, weight and maximum speed are intentionally not inherited.
Design & manufacture
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Bertone
- Designer · Candidate
- Mario Revelli di Beaumont
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Lancia
04 / INDIVIDUAL HISTORY
Chassis & provenance
Chassis 439S-12000
- Chassis number
- 439S-12000
- Engine number
- 25057
- Year
- 1947
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 1 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source type |
|---|---|
| MAUTO — Storia, tecnica e stile Lancia Aprilia www.museoauto.com | Museum technical history |













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