Lancia Astura MM Colli

The Lancia Astura MM Colli, a one-off creation by Carrozzeria Colli, was intended to serve as Lancia’s luxurious flagship car, yet it found itself frequently taking to the racing circuits under the hands of private drivers. Constructed in 1939 for the Milanese Scuderia Ambrosiana and their top driver, Luigi Villoresi, this Astura was primed for competition. Equipped with an experimental hemispheric cylinder head akin to that of the new Aprilia, the car boasted an impressive 110 bhp, a significant increase from the standard 82 bhp of the series version. Scheduled to participate in the prestigious Mille Miglia, fate intervened when Villoresi encountered a road accident during the car’s shakedown, forcing his withdrawal from the race. Following the war, the Astura found itself in the hands of various Italian drivers, including Franco Cortese, who achieved notable success behind the wheel. Eventually, the car was sold to English drivers John Gordon and David Lewis, who piloted it in the 1949 Mille Miglia. After retiring from the racing circuit, the Astura was involved in less savory activities, including the smuggling of precious watches from Switzerland to Italy. Confiscated by Swiss authorities, the car languished in a warehouse for many years until its rediscovery by Luciano Nicolis. Restored to its former glory, the Lancia Astura MM Colli now resides proudly as part of the Museo Nicolis Collection, a testament to its storied past and enduring legacy. Its presence serves as a reminder of the duality of automotive history, where luxury and performance converge on the racetrack and beyond.