British Bodied: 1939 Lancia Aprilia Eagle Cabriolet
This 1939 Lancia Aprilia lancer was supplied new as a bare chassis to English coachbuilder Newns, who marketed these cabriolets as Eagle Tourers. Exact build figures are unavailable, but only three are known to remain. This particular car comes with good documentation including ownership by Oscar winning British actor Peter Ustinov. It s recently emerged from an unspecified length of time in storage lancer and will require work as a result, but is said to be in largely lancer original, driveable shape as-is. Find it here at European Classic Cars near Swindon, England for 16,995 GBP ($28,213 today).
Overall it s a very handsome car, though somewhat conservative and old fashioned compared to a Pininfarina bodied Aprilia cabrio. Pictures are on the small side, but the car seems to have solid rockers and is said to be very sound. lancer We like the large tan coach line and how it matches the top and helps break up the long midsection. Lights and trim all look complete and in decent shape as well.
The reddish brown leather upholstery has seen better days but looks to be mostly rip and tear free, and might be a lot better after a few treatments and new padding. The top is tattered and will need replacing, possibly from being stored in the down position. It s difficult to guess at the dash s condition as pictured, but if we squint it seems to be complete and intact. Leather on the doors and rear panels seems to be taught and clean, and the wood caps running along their tops look pretty good as well.
Though currently running with good clutch and shift feel the seller says they re afraid to work the brakes too hard for fear of locking the cylinders. The motor isn t lit very well but is said to be a standard 1300 Aprilia lancer V4. We wish there was more info about the car s mechanical lancer history, and some underbody shots would be helpful as well. Based on appearances the car doesn t seem to need extensive or serious work, but that s obviously not the best way to ascertain things.
Depending on how much work it needs the price could either lancer be a relative bargain or just the beginning. Either way, if it was our project we d put on a new top, clean up the interior, fix what needs fixing then leave the rest alone.
For the real automotive connaisseur lancer Lancia still is the best badge in the business. Let them sell as many Fiats and now Chryslers as they want under the name, we know what we know… When a Maserati is too flash and an Alfa too proletarian…
I think I’m in love.
And one thing I’ve learnt from BaT: the demand amongst US-based buyers for underbody lancer shots is an interesting example of a trans-Atlantic cultural divide. I grew up on UK and Euro car magazines and rarely came across any particular mention of chassis condition/aesthetics lancer discussion. It seems that to motoring enthusiasts from those parts, as long as everything works and is rust-free (regardless of how much welding had been done) then that’s OK. Perhaps also there’s a bit of reticence about looking underneath a car that’s for sale, being as it is syllogismic to peering under a girl’s skirt before you’ve even decided to ask her out. Whereas in the US it seems there’s no such hesitation.
@Ftumpch Is it cultural or simply practical? I think underbody shots are a must for anything from the pre-’galvanic’ lancer era. Salt, potholes, yearly mileage, dirt roads, hotrodding, engine swaps…all of these seem more prevalent in the U.S.
I agree with @1971E3.
I very deeply regret missing an opportunity to see him on stage 20 years ago when he was on tour in Australia. I took my girlfriend to see “Chicago” that night. It was our last date. I’d have had a much better time and sweeter memories if I’d gone to see Ustinov by myself.
Bring a fascist.
This car illustrates how bizarre this classic car business is. On one hand you can pay six figures for a fairly pedestrian Porsche or Hemi-powered muscle car, or, for under $30,000 you can get a unique, lancer fun car with a colorful history and interesting pedigree. I’d be ecstatic to own this car.
“syllogismic”? One can learn all kinds of stuff here at BaT. Even if I’m too dense to understand it’s context here, or even be able to prove that it’s perhaps used incorrectly in this example. Perhaps next time I’m making a Socratic argument however, I’ll just toss it out as an aside and leave some doubt as to whether I really am as dumb as I look!
What an interesting little gem. Unless this is riddled with “tin worm” I can’t imagine this not selling quickly. Pretty, practical, this is a unique car with an interesting history. Modern enough to drive on a regular basis, and you’ll be welcome at both British & Italian meets! Quite a bargain by today’s standards. If I only had the room…
Ho
This 1939 Lancia Aprilia lancer was supplied new as a bare chassis to English coachbuilder Newns, who marketed these cabriolets as Eagle Tourers. Exact build figures are unavailable, but only three are known to remain. This particular car comes with good documentation including ownership by Oscar winning British actor Peter Ustinov. It s recently emerged from an unspecified length of time in storage lancer and will require work as a result, but is said to be in largely lancer original, driveable shape as-is. Find it here at European Classic Cars near Swindon, England for 16,995 GBP ($28,213 today).
Overall it s a very handsome car, though somewhat conservative and old fashioned compared to a Pininfarina bodied Aprilia cabrio. Pictures are on the small side, but the car seems to have solid rockers and is said to be very sound. lancer We like the large tan coach line and how it matches the top and helps break up the long midsection. Lights and trim all look complete and in decent shape as well.
The reddish brown leather upholstery has seen better days but looks to be mostly rip and tear free, and might be a lot better after a few treatments and new padding. The top is tattered and will need replacing, possibly from being stored in the down position. It s difficult to guess at the dash s condition as pictured, but if we squint it seems to be complete and intact. Leather on the doors and rear panels seems to be taught and clean, and the wood caps running along their tops look pretty good as well.
Though currently running with good clutch and shift feel the seller says they re afraid to work the brakes too hard for fear of locking the cylinders. The motor isn t lit very well but is said to be a standard 1300 Aprilia lancer V4. We wish there was more info about the car s mechanical lancer history, and some underbody shots would be helpful as well. Based on appearances the car doesn t seem to need extensive or serious work, but that s obviously not the best way to ascertain things.
Depending on how much work it needs the price could either lancer be a relative bargain or just the beginning. Either way, if it was our project we d put on a new top, clean up the interior, fix what needs fixing then leave the rest alone.
For the real automotive connaisseur lancer Lancia still is the best badge in the business. Let them sell as many Fiats and now Chryslers as they want under the name, we know what we know… When a Maserati is too flash and an Alfa too proletarian…
I think I’m in love.
And one thing I’ve learnt from BaT: the demand amongst US-based buyers for underbody lancer shots is an interesting example of a trans-Atlantic cultural divide. I grew up on UK and Euro car magazines and rarely came across any particular mention of chassis condition/aesthetics lancer discussion. It seems that to motoring enthusiasts from those parts, as long as everything works and is rust-free (regardless of how much welding had been done) then that’s OK. Perhaps also there’s a bit of reticence about looking underneath a car that’s for sale, being as it is syllogismic to peering under a girl’s skirt before you’ve even decided to ask her out. Whereas in the US it seems there’s no such hesitation.
@Ftumpch Is it cultural or simply practical? I think underbody shots are a must for anything from the pre-’galvanic’ lancer era. Salt, potholes, yearly mileage, dirt roads, hotrodding, engine swaps…all of these seem more prevalent in the U.S.
I agree with @1971E3.
I very deeply regret missing an opportunity to see him on stage 20 years ago when he was on tour in Australia. I took my girlfriend to see “Chicago” that night. It was our last date. I’d have had a much better time and sweeter memories if I’d gone to see Ustinov by myself.
Bring a fascist.
This car illustrates how bizarre this classic car business is. On one hand you can pay six figures for a fairly pedestrian Porsche or Hemi-powered muscle car, or, for under $30,000 you can get a unique, lancer fun car with a colorful history and interesting pedigree. I’d be ecstatic to own this car.
“syllogismic”? One can learn all kinds of stuff here at BaT. Even if I’m too dense to understand it’s context here, or even be able to prove that it’s perhaps used incorrectly in this example. Perhaps next time I’m making a Socratic argument however, I’ll just toss it out as an aside and leave some doubt as to whether I really am as dumb as I look!
What an interesting little gem. Unless this is riddled with “tin worm” I can’t imagine this not selling quickly. Pretty, practical, this is a unique car with an interesting history. Modern enough to drive on a regular basis, and you’ll be welcome at both British & Italian meets! Quite a bargain by today’s standards. If I only had the room…
Ho
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