LANCIA APRILIA 1500 – MILLE MIGLIA ELIGIBLE
MAKE: Lancia
MODEL: Aprilia 1500
YEAR: 1949
CHASSIS: 438-28731
ENGINE: 30339
DISPLACEMENT: 1,486 cc
INTERIOR: Beige Lancia cloth
EXTERIOR: Metallic beige
ODOMETER: not available
One of the most refined and innovative Italian post-war saloons
First registered in Catania in 1949, this superb Lancia Aprilia 1500 is a motor car of considerable historical and collector interest. It retains its original first black iron registration plate, an exceptionally valuable document of its identity and of the continuity of its history since its first registration.
The car was preserved for many years in the dry climate of Sicily, particularly favourable to the preservation of historic automobiles, and was subsequently acquired by a Brescia-based collector, thereby entering a new and important chapter in its collecting history.
It has been meticulously preserved and, over the years, underwent restoration work aimed at preserving and enhancing its integrity. Today it presents itself in excellent mechanical and bodywork condition, making it a particularly attractive proposition for anyone looking for an authentic, usable Aprilia with significant historical continuity.
Vincenzo Lancia’s masterpiece
Introduced in 1937, the Aprilia was the last major project developed under the direction of Vincenzo Lancia, founder of the Turin marque, and was one of the most technically advanced automobiles of its time. Its body was developed with particular attention to aerodynamics and tested in a wind tunnel in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Turin, anticipating stylistic and engineering concepts that would only become commonplace many years later. S Stellantis Heritage+1
The second series, to which this car belongs, was introduced in 1939 and featured the sophisticated 1,486 cc narrow-angle V4 engine. The Aprilia was distinguished by its unitary body construction, independent suspension on all four wheels, compact power unit and outstanding aerodynamic efficiency.
The 1500 version developed approximately 48 hp and reached a top speed of around 127 km/h, remarkable figures for a saloon of its displacement and period.
The second series also benefited from significant technical developments, including the Zenith 32 VIML3 carburettor, Italian SABIF brakes, and revised gearbox ratios. I Ixo Collections
Production and rarity
The Aprilia was produced from 1937 to 1949 and became one of the most important models in Lancia history. Approximately 27,600 examples were produced in Italy, in addition to French production; a substantial proportion consisted of chassis supplied to coachbuilders, while the saloon was the most widespread configuration.
The year 1949 therefore represents the final chapter of the Aprilia’s production life, immediately preceding the arrival of the new Aurelia. For this reason, a 1949 1500, with documented identification numbers, excellent preservation, its original first registration plate and a clearly defined ownership and geographical history, represents a particularly attractive proposition for today’s collector.
The combination of final-year production, 1500 engine, second-series chassis, surviving original first registration plate, long-term preservation in Sicily, subsequent ownership by a Brescia collector and conservation/restoration work gives this particular example considerable historical significance.
Competition history and Mille Miglia pedigree
The Aprilia was not merely a sophisticated touring car: from the beginning it demonstrated remarkable sporting qualities, benefiting from its lightness, aerodynamic efficiency, chassis balance and compact V4 engine.
The model competed extensively in international events. At the 1938 Mille Miglia, several Aprilias achieved significant overall finishes, including 26th, 30th, 32nd, 37th, 38th, 41st and 58th places, demonstrating the competitiveness of the car in its displacement class. R Racing Sports Cars
An especially important result came at the 1940 Mille Miglia, when a Lancia Aprilia Sport driven by Giuseppe D’Ambrosio and Guerrini finished 25th overall and 1st in the 1,101-1,500 cc class, while another Aprilia Sport driven by Giovanni Bracco and Vittorio Casalegno was forced to retire.
The 1949 season is particularly relevant to a car of this year. At the XXXIII Targa Florio / IX Giro di Sicilia, Giannino Marzotto and Marco Crosara brought an Aprilia saloon home 5th overall and 1st in class, covering 1,080 km at an average speed of 75.2 km/h. At the 1949 Mille Miglia, another Aprilia saloon, driven by Dante Spreafico and Giampaolo Volpini, finished 25th overall and 4th in the Touring class above 1,100 cc, covering 1,593 km in 15 hours, 20 minutes and 10 seconds at an average speed of 103.872 km/h.
Mille Miglia eligibility
One of the most important collector attributes of this car is its Mille Miglia eligibility.
The official 1000 Miglia Register specifically lists the Lancia Aprilia 1500 saloon produced between 1947 and 1949 among the eligible/candidate models. It is classified as a Touring car in the over-1,100 cc class.
This eligibility is not simply a consequence of the car’s age: it derives from the fact that the Aprilia model actually competed in historic editions of the Mille Miglia held between 1927 and 1957. The official Register defines an “Eligible” car as one belonging to a model that participated in at least one of the twenty-four historic speed editions of the event.
It is important to distinguish model eligibility from certification of the individual car. To obtain an Eligible certificate from the Register, the required documentation includes, among other items, the car’s chronological history, a valid FIVA Identity Card, an ACI Sport Fiche and circulation documents. The Eligible certificate provides eligibility for the Mille Miglia, registration in the official Register and the relevant radiator plaque.
In the case of this Aprilia, the preservation of its original first registration plate, chassis and engine numbers, 1949 Catania registration history and subsequent collector history represents an especially valuable documentary foundation for any future historical certification and 1000 Miglia Register application.
Equipment and details
The car is presented with beige Lancia cloth upholstery and an elegant Metallic Castoro exterior, a combination that perfectly highlights the understated and unmistakably Lancia character of the Aprilia.
The survival of the original first black iron registration plate is one of its most important historical features, while the identification numbers chassis 438-28731 and engine 30339 provide further essential elements for the correct identification of the car.
Conclusion
This 1949 Lancia Aprilia 1500 is therefore a motor car of outstanding interest to collectors seeking not merely an historic automobile, but a genuine testimony to Lancia’s great engineering tradition.
The combination of rarity, final production year, 1,486 cc V4 engine, sophisticated engineering, elegant bodywork, original first registration plate, long-term preservation in Sicily, subsequent Brescia collector provenance, restoration work, excellent mechanical and bodywork condition and, above all, Mille Miglia eligibility, makes this example particularly attractive within the world of historic Lancia automobiles.
A car that combines engineering significance, historical appeal, sporting pedigree and a genuine vocation for major international historic motoring events.
