THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
- Manufacturer
- Lancia
- Base model
- Aprilia
- Coachbuilt version
- Gran Sport Ghia / Basso special survivor
- Coachbuilder
- Ghia
- Production period
- 1947
- Body style
- Spider
- Engine
- V4 a V stretto — donor/base Lancia Aprilia II serie
- Type
- Limited
- Designer
- Giovanni Michelotti
- Displacement
- 1,486 cc
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 Spider (1947) was coachbuilt by Ghia. During this period, the Lancia Aprilia model was developed as a lightweight, aerodynamic vehicle, reflecting the post-war automotive industry’s shift towards more efficient designs. The coachbuilding process involved meticulous attention to proportion and styling, with Ghia employing advanced construction methods typical of the era, emphasizing both form and functionality in their designs. Mechanically, the Lancia Aprilia Spider was powered by a V4 engine, which provided a balance of power and efficiency suitable for its lightweight structure. The chassis design was based on Lancia’s existing Aprilia platform, known for its innovative independent suspension system, contributing to the vehicle’s handling characteristics. The Aprilia Spider featured a streamlined body that was emblematic of the design trends of the late 1940s, which prioritized aerodynamic efficiency. Documentation indicates that the production of the Lancia Aprilia Spider was limited, with specific chassis numbers remaining a focal point for collectors and historians. Exhibitions of the model, both in Europe and abroad, highlighted its significance within the coachbuilding community. Surviving examples are recorded in private collections and institutional archives, providing reference for researchers of postwar coachbuilding. The Lancia Aprilia Gran Sport Ghia remains a notable example of the collaboration between Lancia and Ghia, encapsulating the spirit of its time.
02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY
Specifications & construction
Production & construction
- Production type
- Limited
Engine & performance
- Engine configuration
- V4 a V stretto — donor/base Lancia Aprilia II serie
- Displacement
- 1,486 cc
- Power (CV)
- 48 CV
- Engine speed
- 4,300 rpm
- Transmission
- Manual 4-speed
- Drive
- Rear-wheel drive
- Specification notes
- Confidence detail moved from confidence: medium-high DONOR_BASE_PROJECTION — base-model technical fields projected from METEOR-LANCIA-APRILIA-COUPE-1947 because make/model/year match exactly. This does not assert that the coachbuilt/special vehicle retained identical tuning or performance. | 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
- Designer · Documented
- Giovanni Michelotti
- Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
- Ghia
- Manufacturer · Documented
- Lancia
06 / EVENTS & AWARDS
Events & awards
Coppa d'Oro Villa d'Este General · legacy_preserved
- Date
- 1947
- Chassis
- General
Preserved CI 1.0 relation. Evidence field: _yoast_wpseo_primary_events|list_of_awards_0_events. No award inferred.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 1 photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE













THE CONVERSATION
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