1939 Lancia Aprilia Type 239 4 seat convertible RHD
Highlight
Considered one of only 200 Pininfarina Series 1 Type 239 convertibles
Fascinating and well-documented history
Formerly part of Marc De Bruijn's collection
Restored in the past in a correct colour scheme to factory specifications
Solid and usable with scope for further improvements
The Attractions
The ingenious Aprilia was the last Lancia designed under Vincenzo's complete control and the first to receive Lancia's V4 engine. In addition to the four-door Tipo 238 saloon, the company offered the beautiful Tipo 239 'Trasformabile' cabriolet. The cabriolet was the work of Lancia's friend Battista 'Pinin' Farina, and their close collaboration resulted in a particularly beautiful and successful car. These cars were built by Pininfarina as 'official' Lancia models, not to be confused with the many models built on this chassis by many Italian coachbuilders.
It is believed that only 200 Tipo 239 cabriolets were built. This is perhaps one of the most travelled of them all, with a fascinating history behind it. Little is known about its early years - the owner believes it may have been confiscated by the German army - but in 1947 it was in Munich. Afterwards it was in Denmark, Holland and Ireland for a few years and is now back in Italy. For some years it was part of the extensive collection of Lancia enthusiast Marc De Bruijn.
Now finished in a blue and grey colour combination correct to factory specifications, it is a well-maintained, complete and unmodified car. It could be used 'as is' or further improved. Either way, its next buyer will become the custodian of an extraordinary piece of automotive history and one of Lancia's most beautiful and rare production cars.
History and Documents
Chassis number 393952 confirms that this is a Type 239 cabriolet built in 1939
First registration on 31 December 1939 according to the documents accompanying the car
Current registration dated 24 May 2022
According to what we have been told, the seller bought it in 2022
Original manual and parts catalogue
History since 1947 documented in typed notes provided in the historical documentation and photos
We were told that it has never been fully restored and that the frame and wood panels are original
It has been painted in various colours as described below
Now presented in a correct colour combination for 1939, which may be the original one
This colour combination was applied in the 1990s when the car was partially restored
Featured in Corsa Italia magazine, included in historical documentation and photos
Various transport and car tax documents for the period from 2020 and 2021
Accompanied by old photographs of the car
The original spare wheel, painted in military green, seems to indicate a military past
Summary of historical documentation - see photographs for further details:
Purchased in Munich in 1947 and temporarily transferred to Denmark with the same owner
Moved to Italy in 1949 and painted 'mouse grey' with blue leather interior
Painted cream and black in 1950
Brought back to Turin for factory repairs in the early 1950s
Also painted brown and beige and dark red and light blue
Historical details provided by the owner:
In 1947 the car resurfaced in Munich and was bought by Mrs Sonja Norre, who between 1947 and 1949 imported it to Denmark along with several other cars and kept it for a few years. During that time the car was mouse-grey in colour with blue leather upholstery. In mid-1950 the car was repainted in cream and black and the owner was Niels Barlyng. He was a Lancia enthusiast and the car was used by several family members. Niels' wife's sister and her husband travelled to Italy with the car and there the steering was repaired free of charge at the factory. Barlyng says that the engine worked well but the car was almost floorless. Finally he sold the car to the son of the artist Borge Birch. The payment was three paintings by Eigill Jacobsen, which Barlyng later sold for 20,000 Krone. The car was then sold to Arne Hugo Buch and then finally came to Kolind where it was bought and restored by Hans Jorgensen. The car at this point was beige and brown.
Hans' son Kurt Dyrbye drove the car for about a year and then sold it to a car dealer in Arhus. Kaj Kjeldsen bought it in 1962 and completely restored it to its grey colour. In 1965 his daughter Lis and her fiancé Cari Chr. Hansen received the car as a wedding present and kept it for 12 years. Eigil Sahl Rasmussen bought the car in 1977 and sold it two years later to Jorgen Hansen, who decided to keep the car for a long time. At that point the wings were painted light blue but the intention was to have the car repainted, possibly in burgundy. Eventually it was painted in the current light blue/dark blue combination.
Jorgen Hansen's partner fell ill and this forced him to sell the car in 2022 when it was bought by Marc De Bruijn, a well-known Lancia collector who moved the car from Denmark to Holland. On arrival he discovered that the spare wheel cover was missing. Fortunately for Marc, the previous owner still had it and brought it on his way to visit his son who lived in the Ardennes, where Marc could retrieve it. Marc was surprised to find that it was painted a military green colour and perhaps the whole car had been painted military green. Later, Marc tried to start the engine with the key on the dashboard, only to discover that there was another switch hidden under the dashboard and the car could only be started by turning the key and flicking the switch.
The car was then sold by Marc de Bruijn to a collector in Ireland before arriving in Italy a few years ago.
The Condition
Two-tone paint corrected to factory specifications which may be original to this car but cannot be verified
Older paintwork applied in the 1990s in fair, presentable condition with signs of deterioration as shown
Underbody appears in good order with an obvious protective layer
The seller reports that the bodywork is solid and correct with good panel alignment
The chrome plating presents well with full alloy profiles
We are informed that it has never been fully restored and that the chassis and wood panels are original
The seller reports that the seals are old and some are damaged and may need attention
The roof is complete and usable but is no longer waterproof and may require attention
Crack in the rear window of the roof and the roof lining shows some stains
The seller states that the roof lining may be original
Red leatherette interior well maintained complete and very presentable
Wooden interior trim in good condition
Interior shows slight signs of wear on the paintwork and upholstery
Original and attractive 'Metron' square working dials
Beautiful two-spoke leather steering wheel as standard
The Tipo 239 was designed and built by Pininfarina for Lancia. The close friendship between the two company heads resulted in a beautiful and very well-designed car. Believed to have been built in only 200 examples, these are rare and very practical four-seater cars.
The remarkable history of this car is given above. It was repainted in the 1990s in what is believed to be a correct factory colour. This one looks very attractive and has been very well maintained - there are some light marks on the panels visible in the photographs but the bodywork looks good, solid and with good panel alignment.
Inside, the charming cabin is pleasingly true to factory specification and the square Metron dials and chrome steering wheel are particularly attractive. In keeping with Lancia practice at the time, this car was built with right-hand drive. There may be some work to be done on the roof - it is believed to be non-waterproof - but otherwise, like the bodywork, it presents a solid basis for improvement, according to the buyer's wishes.
The Mechanics
Aprilia Series 1 V4 engine of 1,352cm³ with 48 hp
Engine compartment in good condition with a set of easily readable factory plates
Grey soundproofing padding under the bonnet
The seller reports that it drives well and runs properly
Lancia's V4 engine was an excellent example of Vincenzo's pursuit of mechanical excellence. Compact, light and powerful with 48 hp, this small engine gave the Aprilia a lively and engaging performance that caught the attention of the drivers. It was later used with great success in competitions.
The chassis number records show that this car is one of the last 1 Series, so it has the smaller 1,352cm³ version of this engine. The engine bay is well maintained with clearly visible chassis numbers allowing the buyer to do further research and check the provenance.
The seller reports that this beautiful classic car drives well and has a resilient engine.
BEFORE BUYING
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1939 Lancia Aprilia Type 239 4 seat convertible RHD
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