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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet Pininfarina

1948Coachwork by Pininfarina

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Manufacturer
Lancia
Base model
Aprilia Cabriolet Flamboyant
Coachbuilder
Pininfarina
Production period
1948
Body style
Cabriolet

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 Cabriolet Pininfarina Flamboyant, an exceptional display of post-war Italian automotive artistry, made its grand debut at the 1948 Paris Motor Show. Designed and built by Pininfarina, this striking cabriolet embodied the flamboyant styling trends of the late 1940s, characterized by sweeping lines, intricate detailing, and an emphasis on elegance and dynamism. This wasn’t Pininfarina’s first experiment with such a design. Two years earlier, in 1946, the Turin-based coachbuilder had unveiled a similar one-off creation, also based on the Lancia Aprilia chassis. The Aprilia, with its advanced engineering and compact yet refined structure, provided an ideal foundation for coachbuilders to craft unique, high-fashion automobiles that captured the spirit of the times. The decision to unveil the Flamboyant Cabriolet at the Paris Motor Show was deliberate. Paris, known as the epicenter of haute couture and artistic innovation, was the perfect stage for Pininfarina to showcase its vision for luxury automobiles in the post-war era. This period, often referred to as the Renaissance of the Flamboyant style, saw a resurgence of dramatic, flowing bodywork, accentuated by curvaceous fenders, chrome embellishments, and distinctive proportions—all of which were key elements in this bespoke Aprilia Cabriolet. The Flamboyant Cabriolet stood as a statement piece, emphasizing Pininfarina’s bold creativity and mastery of handcrafted automotive design. Today, the Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet Pininfarina Flamboyant remains a rare and fascinating piece of automotive history, symbolizing the post-war revival of luxury coachbuilding and the artistic ambition that defined an era.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production
1
Production type
One-off
Production notes
Paris 1948 Flamboyant page retained as a distinct show/design identity. Physical continuity with the 1947 Flamboyant remains unproved and no exact chassis is known. Numeric Units=1 cleared; do not map 439-11844 or other exact Aprilia chassis by stylistic similarity.

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.
Gearbox
Manual 4-speed
Drivetrain
RWD
Power RPM
4300 rpm

03 / DESIGN, BODY & SUPPLIERS

Design, body & suppliers

Design & manufacture

Manufacturer · Documented
Lancia
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Pininfarina

Body form & construction

Body style
Cabriolet

04 / EVENTS & CHRONOLOGY

Events & chronology

No events or documented awards are currently recorded for this vehicle.

09 / PERIOD ARCHIVE

Period photographs & advertising

THE CONVERSATION

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