Lot Ended
Description
1921 Lancia Dikappa
Sporting OHV Lancia; known
history; five-litres; a thunderous and impressive vehicle; enormous
potential
One of the worlds most iconic brands, Lancia has the
potential to stir the emotions of any informed petrol-head. When enthusiasts
think early Lancias, it is usually the incredible Lambda that springs to
mind, bristling with innovations that are still current to this
day.
Lancia's history pre-dates that of course, Vincenzo Lancia
producing some fabulous cars pre and post WW1 which sold to the wealthiest and
most discerning of motorists.
At the dawn of the motorcar, Lancia
distinguished himself as a racing driver for the works FIAT team - becoming one
of their star drivers and gaining an international reputation. Although
retained by FIAT for the 1907 and 1908 seasons, he had already started a car
manufacturing business under his own name, his first car reaching
completion by the autumn of 1907. It was a thoroughly conventional,
yet beautifully made car, built along the lines of the equivalent FIAT
- one wonders what they thought about that?
Lancias ranged
from the 12HP Alfa (no relation), through the 15HP Beta, 20HP Gamma, 35HP
Theta, and 35HP Kappa and Dikappa (but no Omicron thankfully) - the latter
referring to the sporting OHV variant of which just 160 were made.
At
the very top of the tree sat the Trikappa, a V8 of massive
proportions.
The 4,940cc four-cylinder Dikappa offered here would
have likely carried sporting four-seater coachwork. Photos of such
cars exist and they are very elegant indeed. The Autocar road tested one in July
1921, a 90bhp car praised for its rapid acceleration, lightness of steering and
general sophistication. They managed an easy 70mph maximum and excellent hill
climbing.
For a long time, it was believed that this Dikappa was the sole
survivor, although it seems that another has surfaced in Argentina and
is now under restoration in Italy.
Chassis 84 (of 160) was imported as a
new car to the Manifold family, wealthy land owners in Western Victoria,
Australia. It was supposed to have led a lively life in the early 1920s,
competing in early road races. It changed hands in the 1950s by then completely
run down and restored over many years, the vestigial sporting body taking shape.
Once complete, it covered some 3,500 miles on local Australian rallies and
events.
It was located in Australia and imported into the UK
by well-know ERA racer Bill Morris on behalf of Irish Lancia exponent
John Nicholson. It arrived in here 1989 and was duly registered and put on
the road. In John's ownership, new white metal bearings and new piston rings
were fitted in 1992, the car having had limited use since.
He sold
it through Sotheby's in 1994, our vendor acquiring the car and using
it actively for a couple of years before putting it to bed in his dry warm
shed.
It will therefore require some recommissioning before
use once more, and notes on file state that the oil pump needs priming
after periods in storage so it will need some thought before firing
up. It was running well when it was parked up and is as responsive and light to
drive as one would expect of a Lancia according to the vendor.
There is a
copy handbook and part-spares manual on file.
Although nicely made,
the bodywork on this car does not make the most of the
Dikappa's significance. Lambdas will be all over the press this autumn,
celebrating their 100th birthday yet this spectacular car has already passed
this benchmark.
Its 'Pebble Beach' potential for 12/50
money....
For more information - contact matthew.parkin@broightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT