1936 Lancia Augusta Belna Cabriolet by “Paul Nèe”  Registra...

Hammer

£16,000

1936 Lancia Augusta Belna Cabriolet by “Paul Nèe” 

Registration Number: EXO 555
Chassis Number: F341219
Recorded Mileage: 94,600 miles

- Exceptionally rare RHD example
- In single family ownership since 1977
- From long term dry storage, for recommissioning

Following schooling, Vincenzo Lancia, the son of a wealthy soup producer, was apprenticed into the now long forgotten historic automobile company Ceirano, later to join F.I.A.T. as chief inspector when the company took over the Ceirano factory in 1900. In 1906 he formed his own company, his first cars arrived in 1907. He designed all Lancias up to and including the Aprilia in 1937, and it is often said he never made a bad car. At the 1932 Paris Show, the Augusta appeared with the smallest engine of any Lancia yet, a V4 of 1,196cc, with the single overhead cam found on all its predecessors since the Lambda. From 1933 until 1937 Augustas were built in France at Bonneuil sur Marne under the name ‘Belna’. 

The Augusta was designed just after the 1929 Wall Street Crash, an economical model with smaller dimensions than its predecessors, while retaining technical innovations such as a self-supporting body, independent suspension and hydraulic brakes. The Augusta steered Lancia through this difficult period, in particular thanks to its success in Italy. In the years of the Great Depression import duties were prohibitive, so to continue selling abroad it was necessary to build a factory to sell “on site”. The Lancia Belna was essentially a Lancia Augusta renamed for the French market, although with some specific features. Two choices were available for the future buyer, a saloon (code F231) or a chassis ready to be bodied (code F234). Pourtout and Paul Née were amongst those French coachbuilders who were asked to dress the Belna. Around 3,000 Belnas were manufactured over a four year period by Lancia France, comprising 2,500 F231 sedans and 500 F234 chassis. For the record, the Lancia Augusta had a real competition career, notably participating in the Mille Miglia, the Copa d'Oro and the Targa Florio. It was said to be the favorite car of Tazio Nuvolari and Achille Varzi.

Exceptionally rare, it is estimated that in the region of only 20 Belnas by Parisian coachbuilder Paul Nèe were produced, with a handful now remaining, EXO 555 being one of those. Rumoured to have been displayed at the British Motor Show at Olympia, by the 1970s however the little Lancia was somewhat down its luck and residing in a chicken coop.

Acquired by our vendors in 1977 whilst living in the North West of England, the little Lancia was restored over the following four years. The owner overhauled the car’s mechanics himself, entrusting the bodywork and trim to a local restoration business to complete. We understand that the ash frame was remade, also the interior wood trim. Completed in 1981, the Belna drove to Torino for the Anniversary of Vincenzo Lancia in Turin, unfortunately breaking down while there and residing in Torino for the next six years. Transported back to the UK in October 1987, the car was used regularly by the owner and his son where possible, notably attending numerous Lancia Motor Club rally events such as the Sliding Pillar, and annual club AGM. An older restoration, in more recent years the engine has been overhauled by specialist Paul Atkinson of Derby, including the fitting of modern shell bearings.

In dehumidified storage now since 1997, the Lancia was last driven in 2019, and so will certainly require some servicing work before being used on the road once more. We understand the dynamo has been rebuilt and will need refitting, the brakes will no doubt need some attention, fluids should be changed and so on, but otherwise it seems it will be straightforward to return to the road.

As far as we are aware this is the only known example in the UK, offered for sale for the first time in nearly 50 years. This stylish pre-war cabriolet will make a very rewarding light project to be recommissioned and returned to the road.