Lancia Aprilia Leggerissima Gran Sport

The Lancia Aprilia Leggerissima Gran Sport bodied by Carrozzeria Boneschi represents a highly specialized prewar development based on the Lancia Aprilia platform. Commissioned in 1939 by Eugenio Minetti, the official Lancia dealer in Milan, the car formed part of a small group of Aprilia-based sporting specials intended to demonstrate the technical and dynamic potential of the model beyond standard production form. One of these cars was built specifically for Umberto Castiglioni, a notable personality within Italian automotive and motorsport circles. The underlying basis was the Lancia Aprilia, introduced in 1937 and distinguished by its unitary body construction, independent suspension on all four wheels, and narrow-angle V4 engine. For the Leggerissima Gran Sport, the chassis was substantially modified, featuring an exceptionally short wheelbase that differentiated it from standard Aprilia configurations and contributed to reduced mass, increased agility, and a more aggressive sporting character. Mechanical preparation was entrusted to Volpini e Tinarelli, specialists in engine tuning, who carried out performance-oriented modifications aimed at improving power delivery and handling without compromising Lancia’s emphasis on mechanical refinement. The bodywork was executed by Carrozzeria Boneschi, known for experimental construction techniques and lightweight designs. The “Leggerissima” designation reflected the extensive use of light-gauge materials and a streamlined form emphasizing aerodynamic efficiency. The resulting body combined compact proportions with flowing surfaces, closely integrated with the shortened chassis to reduce frontal area and overall weight. Structural elements were supplied by Gilco, whose tubular components were widely used in Italian competition and special-purpose cars of the period. Following the Second World War, the car underwent a significant transformation. In 1947 it was rebodied by Tenconi, adopting a form consistent with emerging postwar stylistic trends.