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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Lancia Dilambda Cabriolet

1930Coachwork by Pininfarina

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Production period
1930
Body style
Cabriolet
Engine
V8
Type
Fuori-serie
Displacement
3,960 cc
Power
100 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 Dilambda Cabriolet Pininfarina, commissioned for Queen Marie of Romania in 1930, stands as one of the first official creations by the famed Turin-based coachbuilder Pininfarina. This extraordinary vehicle was designed to embody the elegance, luxury, and prestige befitting a royal patron, while also showcasing the coachbuilder’s meticulous craftsmanship and Lancia’s engineering excellence. At the heart of this bespoke masterpiece lies the quintessential Lancia design philosophy of the era, closely adhering to the stylistic norms of the early 20th century. The vertically oriented radiator and windshield, characteristic of the period, exude an air of grandeur and sophistication, reinforcing the car’s stately presence. These elements, combined with the exquisite proportions of the cabriolet body, create a commanding yet graceful silhouette that perfectly suited the regal stature of Queen Marie. A defining feature of this Dilambda Cabriolet is its structural and aerodynamic refinement. The mudguards, firmly attached to the frame and seamlessly connected by side sills, enhance the vehicle’s structural integrity while maintaining an elegantly streamlined appearance. This integration of form and function—a hallmark of Pininfarina‘s coachbuilding prowess—underscored the design’s attention to both practicality and aesthetics. The rear section of the car further accentuates its distinctive stature and dignity with a vertically truncated design, a feature that contributed to its imposing yet balanced presence on the road. This carefully sculpted rear end ensured the vehicle’s proportions remained harmonious, exemplifying the thoughtful craftsmanship that defined Pininfarina’s early work. More than just a mode of luxurious royal transportation, the Lancia Dilambda Cabriolet Pininfarina remains a pivotal symbol of automotive design excellence from the early 20th century. It reflects the fusion of Lancia’s engineering heritage with Pininfarina’s visionary approach to bespoke coachbuilding. This remarkable vehicle serves as an enduring testament to the era’s aesthetic principles, showcasing how design, prestige, and innovation shaped the future of the automotive industry.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production type
Fuori-serie
Production notes
Queen Marie of Romania named-client relation retained. Numeric Units=1 removed: equivalence with Dorsay and literal physical uniqueness remain unproved; exact chassis open.

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
V8
Displacement
3,960 cc
Power (CV)
100 CV
Engine speed
4,000 rpm
Transmission
Manual 4-speed
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
Source-backed donor/model-level baseline for Lancia Dilambda: V8, 3960 cc, 100 CV at 4000 rpm, 4-speed manual, rear-wheel drive. Wheelbase, body dimensions, weight and maximum speed vary by series/body and are intentionally not inherited.

Design & manufacture

Manufacturer · Documented
Lancia
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Pininfarina

04 / INDIVIDUAL HISTORY

Chassis & provenance

Ownership & provenance

Ownership & history · Legacy attribution
Royal Family

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
Museo Nicolis / Epocauto — Lancia Dilambda technical history www.museonicolis.com Museum technical article

THE CONVERSATION

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