The Italian automotive company Lancia was founded in 1906 in Turin by Vincenzo Lancia and Fiat test driver Claudio Fogolin. To date, the brand stands for stylish and sporty mid-size and large models. In addition, it is one of the oldest brands in the world.

Lancia engineering

The automobile company Lancia was mainly known for its innovations. In a short time it presented several models that were not produced in large numbers. It was more important to the company to patent the new innovations. Thus, in 1913 the Lancia Theta was the first car in Europe with a starter motor, an electrical system and a lighting system. In 1923 Lancia presented another breakthrough: the Lancia Lambda, the first car with a self-supporting body and an independent front suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers. Altogether, Lancia produced two series: the middle and the larger class models. In the production halls of Lancia usually only the sedans were produced. Other versions were they produced were the Boneschi and Pininfarina. In 1950 the first series was developed in which the V6 engine was used. This engine was used in the Lancia Aurelia, which was said to be very quiet as it had only 56 hp. Another special feature of this model was another innovation of Lancia: the trailing link axle that was used at the rear.

The takeover of Lancia by Fiat

Since Lancia only built exclusive cars in small numbers, which after the Second World War only a few could afford, the company had to be sold. In 1969 Fiat bought the company and as a first measure it lowered the purchase price of the Lancia models. With the mid-size car Lancia Beta, in 1972 Fiat began with the production of new models. However, Fiat wanted to keep the customers of the more expensive models, and so in 1971 presented the Lancia Stratos sports car, which won the World Rally Championship three years in a row from 1974 to 1976. In January 2009, the Chrysler Group belongs to Fiat and was merged with Lancia. Thus, the smaller models are built in Italy and the larger ones in the U.S.

The Lancia logo

In 1911 the first logo of Lancia was designed by Carlo di Biscaretti Ruffia. The logo has been changed multiple times over the years, but it always shows a lance and a valance. The lance derives from the name of the make. The logo is always kept in the colours blue and white or silver.