THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Manufacturer
- Lancia
- Base model
- Aprilia Cabriolet
- Coachbuilt version
- 1937–38 Pinin Farina Cabriolet programme/family umbrella; prototype/short-series pages not separate physical cars
- Coachbuilder
- Pininfarina
- Production period
- 1937
- 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 1938 Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet, part of a small Pininfarina production, stands out for its distinctive narrow grille and aerodynamic fenders, features that enhanced both its appearance and performance. This sleek and stylish design showcased Pininfarina’s ability to combine elegance with aerodynamic efficiency. The narrow grille not only contributed to the car’s streamlined profile but also emphasized its refined and minimalistic aesthetic, a hallmark of Pininfarina’s design philosophy. The aerodynamic fenders on the Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet were another key design feature, providing a smooth, flowing look that minimized drag and contributed to the car’s overall performance. These fenders reflected the evolving automotive design trends of the late 1930s, where functionality and style were intertwined to create a more modern and efficient vehicle. Pininfarina applied a similar body style to theFiat 6C 1500 chassis, demonstrating the coachbuilder’s ability to create bespoke designs that could be adapted to different platforms. The use of the same aerodynamic principles and design features across various chassis models showed Pininfarina’s versatility and expertise in crafting cars that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also technically advanced for their time. The Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet of 1938, with its unique blend of luxury, aerodynamic design, and craftsmanship, remains a standout example of Pininfarina’s pre-war coachbuilding. Its elegant lines and innovative features make it an enduring symbol of Italian automotive design, demonstrating the fusion of form and function that defined Pininfarina’s legacy.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Limited
- Production notes
- Contemporary 1937 Pinin Farina advertising explicitly offers a Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet 4/5 posti. Treat as programme/family evidence; no numeric production total or exact chassis allocation inferred.
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- V4
- Displacement
- 1,352 cc
- Power (CV)
- 47 CV
- Engine speed
- 4,000 rpm
- Transmission
- Manual 4-speed
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Specification notes
- Confidence detail moved from confidence: very_high_programme_body | Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Lancia Aprilia first series (1937–1938 in this projection): narrow-angle V4, 1352 cc, 47 CV at 4000 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
- 4000 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.
08 / GALLERY
Photo gallery 1 photographs
09 / PERIOD ARCHIVE
Period photographs & advertising
The period archive gallery will show historical photographs, advertisements, brochures and press images once assets, provenance and usage rights have been recorded in the masterfile.











THE CONVERSATION
Comments 0
Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.