Lancia Appia GTE Zagato

Lancia Appia GTE Zagato

The Lancia Appia was the brand's entry-level model through the 1950s, but in Zagato's hands it became something far more compelling than its modest mechanicals might suggest. The Appia GTE (Gran Turismo Esportazione) was built by the legendary Milanese coachbuilder using their trademark approach: strip away every unnecessary gram and shape what remains for minimal aerodynamic drag.

Zagato's bodywork was a masterclass in lightweight construction. Using thin-gauge aluminum panels over a tubular subframe, Zagato reduced the weight to approximately 780 kg — significantly lighter than the standard Appia sedan. The distinctive double-bubble roof, which became a Zagato signature, was a practical solution to provide headroom without increasing frontal area. The body's smooth, rounded forms were shaped as much by wind tunnel thinking as by aesthetics.

The engine was Lancia's characteristic narrow-angle V4, displacing just 1,090 cc. In GTE tune, with a higher compression ratio, revised camshaft, and upgraded carburetion, it produced approximately 60 horsepower — modest in absolute terms but remarkably effective given the car's featherweight construction. The engine's compact V4 layout, with its narrow included angle, allowed a low hood line that contributed to the car's sleek profile.

Lancia's innovative sliding-pillar front suspension, a design the company had used since the Lambda of the 1920s, provided independent front wheel control with minimal unsprung weight. Combined with the low center of gravity afforded by the Zagato body, the Appia GTE handled with a precision that belied its humble origins.

The Appia GTE proved remarkably successful in competition, particularly in the small-displacement GT classes of Italian road races. Its combination of low weight, good aerodynamics, and responsive handling allowed it to compete with — and frequently beat — cars with significantly more powerful engines.

Approximately 200 Appia GTEs were built by Zagato, making them rare but not impossibly so for the dedicated collector. They represent the essence of the Italian lightweight sports car philosophy and are eagerly sought at auction and by Lancia enthusiasts worldwide.