Lancia Aprilia Saloncino

The Lancia Aprilia Giardinetta “Saloncino” is a one-off coachbuilt estate car executed in 1948 by Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi. Constructed on the mechanical basis of the Lancia Aprilia, the vehicle forms part of a broader design program by Lombardi that included a six-seat “Saloncino” model available on both the Fiat 1100 (types C and L) and Lancia Aprilia chassis. The Aprilia chassis, developed under the direction of Vincenzo Lancia prior to his death in 1937, featured a unitary body structure, independent front suspension, and a narrow-angle V4 engine. The specific example used for the Giardinetta is presumed to retain the standard 1,352?cc overhead-valve engine, rated at approximately 48 horsepower, coupled with a four-speed manual gearbox. The Aprilia’s lightweight platform and compact dimensions made it suitable for post-war coachbuilding adaptations requiring efficient use of interior volume. Lombardi’s execution of the Saloncino concept incorporated a combination of aviation-derived design principles and wood-body construction techniques. The Lancia Aprilia Giardinetta was constructed using a double-wall body system and employed specially selected hardwoods for the exterior cladding. The rear section, including the tailgate, was designed identically to the Fiat 1100 version, with both variants featuring a cloth sunroof insert. A distinctive structural detail allowed the wooden elements to remain visually independent of the side windows, increasing the perceived cabin brightness and reducing visual mass. While the Fiat 1100-based Saloncino saw limited small-series production, only one example is known to have been completed on the Aprilia chassis. The vehicle was commissioned by a private client in Tuscany and was intended as a high-end rural estate car, combining passenger comfort with utility. The styling diverged from contemporary “Woody” estate car conventions, offering a more streamlined and integrated silhouette.