Lancia Appia GTE Zagato

The Lancia Appia GTE by Zagato is the sporty coupe version of the Lancia Appia, produced from 1958 to 1963. The first Appia Zagato models, until December 1958 when the GTE was introduced, were considered “fuoriserie” versions of the Appia, as they were not yet officially built or marketed by Lancia. Unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in April 1956, the initial Appia Zagato immediately garnered significant attention due to the distinctive “humps” on the roof, engine hood, and trunk lid, earning it the nickname “Appia cammello.” This series of sporty berlinettes remained prominent, particularly in the racing scene, for nearly a decade. Unlike the Pininfarina 2+2 Coupe and the Vignale Convertible, which were included in Lancia’s official catalog from May 1957, the Zagato coupe, which had a more conventional design with humps only on the roof, was sold directly by Carrozzeria Zagato as a typical “fuoriserie.” During this period, the relationship between the Milanese coachbuilder and the Turin-based automaker involved Zagato purchasing the chassis from Lancia, on which they had free rein to design. The artisanal small-scale production continued until the end of 1958, when a new version, the GTE (Gran Turismo Esportazione), was introduced at the Turin Motor Show. With the release of the third series sedan, the GTE also underwent some changes, including a slight increase in power from 53 to 54 HP. Throughout its nearly four-year lifespan, the GTE received mechanical updates typical of all the sporty Appia models, with power eventually reaching 60 HP, while the bodywork saw minor updates. The Lancia Appia GTE by Zagato remains an iconic example of collaboration between a major automobile manufacturer and a renowned artisanal coachbuilder, perfectly embodying the sporty spirit and elegance of Italian design from the 1950s and 1960s.