A hint of what was to come.*
Story and photos by Luc van Dobben
Read The Search for the Perfect Ardea
The search is complete.
After two disastrous trips to Italy to find a correct Ardea, I came to the conclusion that an old Lancia for nice trips in the country should at least have some more legroom and sufficient power to move around. An Appia it had to be, but at least one with the lovely old type grille so I went for a second series.
On the internet I found several cars offered on Italian sites and two of them caught my interest, one in Rome and another in Ancona. The one in Rome was not completely restored and the one in Ancona had a complete restoration some 5 to 6 years ago. That’s the one for us, but the people were not easy to make contact with.
A friend of the owner was the contact man and to ease things up, I referred him to my article, A Life of Lancias, in VeloceToday.com, so they knew who they were dealing with. From then on things went smoothly. Again, Berend van Straten and I booked flights, rented a car and off we went to Ancona.
First sighting of the Appia in Ancona. A Ferrari 355 hides behind Appia in the shed.
The owner has a large garage business, which due to his age, is primarily run by his son. We arrived at a large courtyard, and the car was outside at the rear. We inspected the car in and out and on the lift, and everything was fine.
The Appia on the rack for inspection. Everything checked out fine!
Off for the test ride – the owner changed gears like new and went uphill as if driving on the flat and easily did 70 mph. In the photo, it’s me next to the owner.
Berend at his wedding with the Series III Appia.
When my turn to drive came, I let Berend drive because he drives his Appia 3th series weekly and has a very good feel of how a good Appia should drive. The only remark he made was “Park it in my garage for a few weeks so I can change a lot to my car!” After all, that’s what friends are for.
Van Dobben is in the passenger seat, watching the owner effortlessly shift gears. Photo by Berend van Straten.
Hello dear, guess what?
Back in the office we haggled about the price because I wanted the transport price removed. My offer was accepted including a free visit to a restaurant for lunch. The owner then took us to a cusina di peche which was excellent.
I paid a reasonable sum to conclude the deal after making up a contract, with the remaining sum to be paid when the transport date was secured. We went back home satisfied. Within two weeks the car was dropped at my place by a firm who specializes in car transport all over Europe, excellent and insured as well.
Van Dobben with his Appia friend, Berend van Straten.
Next, getting it home and happy trips to the countryside.
*In the lead image, Mrs. van Dobben, courtesy of photoshop, poses with the Series 2 Appia. She enjoys the new Appia as much as Mr. van Dobben.
Lovely, I’d like one of them too!
BRAVI ! Molto bella ! in Italy a car with NA (Napoli) plate would have a downgrade
in price , for ancient prejudice , so it’s better for a foreign to keep this beauty .
But for the number 13 on the plate you are worried ? ( it’s a joke..) Enrico.
I acquired a series III as a trade for some shop grunt work for a friend who was restoring a Bugatti typo 34.
This car taught me how to keep up a high average speed on road trips. NEVER LIFT! and avoid using the brakes if possible. I was impressed by the high quality of the workmanship and fittings, but, somehow, that did not carry over to making a comfortable seat bolster. It was ROCK HARD! I brought a pillow. Fond memories
Beautiful, I like my Series III better for looks, but any Appia is wonderful.
Lovely read, but looking for the next installment of ownership pleasure. We’ve had our s.II since 1996 – and its been a paragon of virtue. Its the one car I’ve known that’s sole purpose is to make you feel happy. And it does that, quietly and with purpose. Something about all that detail and quality in a small unpretentious machine. Took the car up to the racecourse one weekend, and an exec from one of the big-3 companies there for the weekend with his Lola spent about 45 minutes looking over the Appia, saying “Seeing this car up close just made my weekend”. All that with 1100cc.
congratulations: your Appia looks like a lovely alternative after your unfortunate quest. And I admire your courage to chase a car abroad through the internet.
All these Lancias were so delicately engineered, so light to drive, aimed at an appreciative clientèle, (who needs a big engine when one can have perfect handling?) But in the end, the bean-counters prevailed…
From the Lambda until the… Flavia? The Fulvia? or even… the Gamma? Any proper and well-maintained Lancia is a delight for its owner.
Wish you many happy miles!
HF