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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Lancia Aprilia Berlinetta Bertone

1947Coachwork by Bertone

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.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
MAUTO — Storia, tecnica e stile Lancia Aprilia www.museoauto.com Museum technical history

THE CONVERSATION

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