Lancia Theta Coupé with Dickey, 1913
Lancia Lambda
Lancia Lambda•
•40 مشاهدة
Chassis No.: A1810
£51,750 GBP | Sold
- Powerful Edwardian of the highest quality
- Highly original order
- Owned for over 50 years by Arthur Jeddere-Fisher
- Beautifully appointed coach built body
- Rebuilt and upgraded engine
One of the most gifted automobile engineers of all time, Vincenzo Lancia founded his own company in 1906, having previously been FIAT's chief test driver. Introduced in 1907, the first Lancia car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention that would remain associated with the marque well into the modern era.
In 1913 Lancia introduced the 35hp Theta, which was powered by a 4,940cc four-cylinder sidevalve engine producing 70bhp, an output good enough for a top speed of around 120km/h (75mph) depending on coachwork. Ever the innovator, Vincenzo Lancia specified a built-in electrical system for the Theta that included an electric starter (the first of its kind in Europe). Built in two different wheelbase lengths (3,100mm and 3,378mm) the Theta was capable of carrying generously proportioned coachwork and was a big hit in the USA. The last chassis was delivered in 1919, by which time almost 1,700 had been made. It is estimated that only 25 survive, few of which retain their (substantially) original coachwork like this example.
Built on the short wheelbase chassis the Type A Theta offered here is believed to have been displayed at the London Motor Show in 1913, though whether it had been bodied by Morgan of Leighton Buzzard by that time is not known. No other similar Morgan body on a Lancia is known. This car's early history is unknown prior to its discovery in the late 1940s at a garage in Theale, west of Reading, where it was in service as a breakdown truck. The Lancia was complete except for the rear dickey panel, which had been removed for towing purposes.
In 1950 the Theta was purchased as a present for his wife, Marcia, by the late Arthur Jeddere-Fisher, former British Ambassador to Fiji and a VSCC lynchpin. The original dickey panel was found in nettles behind the garage and returned to the body, but the other rear seat arrangements have been modified. Originally the body had a high, sit-up-and-beg, folding seat; it had been removed as part of the truck conversion, and in any case was not suitable for transporting the J-F infants.
'BH 2563' was used and even raced by Marcia Jeddere-Fisher in all sorts of VSCC events from 1950 to 2000, but was stored in the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu while she was away in Fiji. With it Marcia won the Prescott Edwardian Handicap, and the VSCC and Light Car Edwardian Trophies.
The car retains its original Rushmore 6-volt electric starter (in good order) and excellent Rushmore headlights. Flashing direction indicators were added and all original wiring replaced with a correct type cloth wrapped loom by Vehicle Wiring Services in around 2012, while the original Rushmore dynamo has been replaced with a more modern one driven off the prop-shaft. The electric windscreen wiper is original but covers the driver's side only.
The original hand-operated fuel pump is still fitted and working (when the engine is running, fuel pressure is maintained by a mechanical pump driven off the camshaft). The foot brake operates on the transmission while the handbrake operates on the rear wheels. Lined brake shoes from a later Theta are fitted (the originals were cast-iron). The original (835x135) tyres being unobtainable, the wooden Michelin wheels' detachable rims have been modified to take the 820x120 size. All instruments are original but the speedometer's trip recorder has not worked for many years, though the mileage total is fairly accurate.
In 2005, the Theta was bought from Arthur Jeddere-Fisher by the present owner. Having broken a piston and valve, the original engine was then rebuilt by Roy Adnams using new Arias forged aluminium pistons and G&S valves. At around the same time, the front axle was rebuilt by Geoff Harris, the stub-axles being crack-tested, and the kingpins and bushes renewed. While in the vendor's care, the Theta has continued to be used and enjoyed on VSCC light car events and family holidays. We are advised by the private vendor that the car will cruise comfortably at 50mph and that it still handles well at 65, while the excellent headlights are said to make night time driving a joy.
A comfortable and very useable Edwardian (American 'Brass Era' eligible), this rare Lancia Theta comes with a V5C Registration Certificate and a substantial file of historical paperwork, including an account of its life written by Arthur Jeddere-Fisher.
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24881/lot/151/1913-lancia-theta-coupe-with-dickey-chassis-no-a1810/
التكلفة
254,234 AED
