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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Lancia Aprilia Gran Sport Ghia

1947Coachwork by Ghia

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Manufacturer
Lancia
Base model
Aprilia
Coachbuilt version
Gran Sport Ghia / Basso special survivor
Coachbuilder
Ghia
Production period
1947
Body style
Spider

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 Spider (1947) was coachbuilt by Ghia. During this period, the Lancia Aprilia model was developed as a lightweight, aerodynamic vehicle, reflecting the post-war automotive industry’s shift towards more efficient designs. The coachbuilding process involved meticulous attention to proportion and styling, with Ghia employing advanced construction methods typical of the era, emphasizing both form and functionality in their designs. Mechanically, the Lancia Aprilia Spider was powered by a V4 engine, which provided a balance of power and efficiency suitable for its lightweight structure. The chassis design was based on Lancia’s existing Aprilia platform, known for its innovative independent suspension system, contributing to the vehicle’s handling characteristics. The Aprilia Spider featured a streamlined body that was emblematic of the design trends of the late 1940s, which prioritized aerodynamic efficiency. Documentation indicates that the production of the Lancia Aprilia Spider was limited, with specific chassis numbers remaining a focal point for collectors and historians. Exhibitions of the model, both in Europe and abroad, highlighted its significance within the coachbuilding community. Surviving examples are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding. The Lancia Aprilia Gran Sport Ghia remains a notable example of the collaboration between Lancia and Ghia, encapsulating the spirit of its time.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Limited

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
V4 a V stretto — donor/base Lancia Aprilia II serie
Displacement
1,486 cc
Power (CV)
48 CV
Engine speed
4,300 rpm
Transmission
Manual 4-speed
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
Confidence detail moved from confidence: medium-high DONOR_BASE_PROJECTION — base-model technical fields projected from METEOR-LANCIA-APRILIA-COUPE-1947 because make/model/year match exactly. This does not assert that the coachbuilt/special vehicle retained identical tuning or performance. | 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.
Gearbox
Manual 4-speed
Drivetrain
RWD
Power RPM
4300 rpm

03 / DESIGN, BODY & SUPPLIERS

Design, body & suppliers

Design & manufacture

Designer · Documented
Giovanni Michelotti
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Ghia
Manufacturer · Documented
Lancia

Body form & construction

Body style
Spider

04 / EVENTS & CHRONOLOGY

Events & chronology

Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este General · legacy_preserved
Date
1947
Chassis
General

Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events|list_of_awards_0_events. No award inferred.

CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD

General chronology

Chronological history1 dated records
  1. Unassigned chassis · Event

    Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este

09 / PERIOD ARCHIVE

Period photographs & advertising

THE CONVERSATION

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