1960 Lancia Appia Zagato GTE 19th November 2015 5:00pm EST
Gorgeous Italian Sophistication
First shown to the public at the 1958 Turin Motor Show, Zagato’s bodywork was more low-slung and streamlined than that of other Appia derivatives. The car’s silhouette has an elongated appearance like that of a jet, with a soft nose cradling covered headlights, and pulling rearward into a teardrop-shaped side. Its V-4 engine, lightweight and extremely pretty looks make it an ideal chariot for running to the beach, up through the hills, or scoring lots of attention at any Concorso...
The car on offer represents the most desirable Appia Zagato, the long-nose, faired-in headlight GTE. It was delivered in 1960 with white paint and licensed in California under license plate VCZ 482. It comes supplied with period correct, black, California license plates. It received an extensive mechanical and body restoration through 2006 and is presented in concours condition. This car has an Automobili Storico Italia (ASI) Targa d’Oro plate, assigned to survivor cars.
The Lancia Appia was introduced at the 1953 Turin Motor Show.Vittorio Jano’s new V-4 engine was a narrow 10-degree-V in which the valves were operated by long pushrods. It displaced 1,089 cc and generated 38 bhp at 4,400 rpm. For the first time, the cylinder head could be removed without disturbing the valve timing. The Appia was revised numerous times throughout almost 100,000 units in 10 years, and custom models were offered by the most important coachbuilders. The Appia Zagato GTE on offer is the most significant model. There were three series of Appias. Problems created disappointing sales for the Series One, and after 20,000 units, the Series Two was introduced at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show. Incoming designer, Antonio Fessa, redesigned the cylinder head as a hemi, improved the rocker arms, pistons, and camshafts to develop 43 bhp, and raised the top speed to 75 mph.
Fessa solved most problems and Italian magazine Quattroruote drove its Appia 99,360 miles without incident. But Fiat dominated the market and only 22,425 Appias were sold by March 1959, when the Series Three debuted at Geneva. Power was boosted to 48 bhp and top speed to 84 mph. Sales took off, and when the front-wheel drive Fulvia replaced the Appia in 1963, 55,577 had been sold.
Custom bodies appeared in 1956, with 14 from Allemano, Boano, Como, Ghia, Pininfarina, Vignale, and Viotti. Zagato showed a radical “double bubble” coupe, known as the “Cammello” or camel. Originally two-tone blue, it won the Cortina Concours d’Elegance, was repainted dark red and entered in the 1957 Mille Miglia. Three Appia Zagato GTS models swept the GT1.1 class. Luciano Mantovani was 1st, Enrico Anselmi 2nd, and Giorgio Lurani 3rd – in the Cammello.
There were four series of Appia Zagatos. The first 1957 coupes featured plexiglas headlight covers, and small rear fins which were discontinued after 30 were built. More than 150 Second- Series Zagato GTs followed with open headlights, then the sportier GTS, with faired-in headlights; some with bubble roofs. At the 1958 Turin Motor Show, the Appia Zagato GTE was launched (E for export). It was lower and sleeker than the GTS and lost the rear fender humps. The nose was longer, headlights sunk into the front fenders, and taillights into the body. The bubble roof was discontinued, with production divided between covered and open headlights.
Italian laws prohibited covered headlights in Spring 1959, so later GTEs had open lights set further forward. The improved 60 bhp engine was fitted to cars in 1960 and the last GTEs were built in April, 1962. Italian production numbers vary, but it’s estimated there were 167 GTEs with the 53 bhp motor, and 134 with the 60 bhp unit. The final Zagato Appias were the Sport models, built on the shorter 92-inch chassis, with open headlights.
This car received an extensive restoration circa 2006, and is currently in concours-level condition. A detailed book of receipts and records demonstrate an extensive mechanical and body refurbishment, including a new windscreen.
This car is number 73 of 136 covered-headlight models, it features a Zagato-designed, hand hammered alloy body, and Targa D’Oro plate #16806 from Automoto Storico Italia. It represents the finest combination of Italian lightweight coachwork and free-revving engines. Appia Zagatos contested the most demanding races making this car welcome at any vintage event for which it is eligible.
This is the ultimate Appia Zagato, and in fantastic condition - ready to display and to drive.