Description
1934 LANCIA ASTURA V8
?THE STEADY SPECIAL?
BGW 212
An exciting opportunity, to own one of the most well-built specials in the vintage scene, originally conceived and owned, by the distinguished technical editor of Autocar Ronald Steady Barker and now beautifully restored to his original vision.
The story of this remarkable Astura, starts with its original production in Turin, exported and first registered in 1934 , chassis no. was coach-built as a large limousine, the Astura model being the replacement for the advanced Dilambda V8 , now equipped with a lighter and smaller capacity 2973 cc engine, again of eight cylinders, this cleverly designed car, once again featured the innovative narrow angle V and independent front suspension so often cited as an ?engineering tour de force? of designers Vincenzo Lancia and Battista Falcheto.
Originally owned by the BOAC Director of Engineering, Malcolm Anderson, the car was discovered, some twenty years later by Barker, purchasing the car for just seventy five pounds, Barker famously commented "I thought I could make a nice Sports-car" , Mr barker was not alone, the 1950s were a time rife with exotic cast offs, and many young members of the VSCC took to finding and building their own specials, utilising older cars that had fine engineering and a suitable chassis, as the basis of their own creations.
In this particular case the car was subject to a serious shortening of the chassis, with some 4ft cut out and carefully manipulated to produce a low line and centre of gravity, already a well handling car, this was set to improve things considerably! Meanwhile Barker had the engine rebuilt, with an increase in power from 82 to 95 bhp, thoughts then turned to coachwork and this being the 1950s, the temptation to modernise the car, proved too tempting for Barker and an all-enveloping body was carefully constructed by Panel-makers A. G Shaw of Sandgates , they also skill-fully modified an Aston DB2 bonnet, incorporating the original Astura grille. The finished car was then pressed into immediate use, with many appearances at venues across the country, including Oulton-Park, Prescott and Silverstone, setting fast lap times and even a bit of winning!
Whilst Steady, was a confirmed Lancia enthusiast throughout his distinguished life and career, in 1958 he chose to sell the Steady Special for the first time (more on that later) to his good friend Michael Scott , Scott attracted by its svelte coachwork and advanced engineering, immediately painted the car, in a fetching Italian racing red and sped off on holiday to the South of France , hoping to continue to race the car with the VSCC on his return, a change of ruling or previous circumvention by Barker , meant this was not to be, or at least not with the 1950s bodywork!
Kept by Scott until 1976 this fascinating car was purchased by a fellow Lancia devotee and whilst intentions were good, the car ended up in parts, with the body discarded and the rolling chassis sold-on, once again, in the mid-eighties.
In 1990 the car was once again purchased by Steady, no doubt keen to relive his earlier success with the Astura, he had great plans to re-body the car in a style more acceptable to VSCC racing , sketching out numerous designs, which later proved to be most useful when the car was re-purchased in 1991 by Michael Scott.
Scott employed the 3D design services of 3D Engineers to help turn the sketches into reality, following this intensive work and buck production, the Astura was entrusted to Lancia specialists Thornley-Kelham where it was bodied and restoration started, later the car was substantially re-built by renowned Alfa-Romeo and Maserati restorers Traction-Seabart, celebrated for their exacting restorations, the restoration continued apace with great attention to detail and without any regard to cost, the finished car impressed both the Motoring press and all fortunate enough to see or drive the car.
More recently this unique Astura has been looked after by Historic preparer Alex Hearnden of 96 Engineering and whilst in their care, the engine was freshly re-built with help from 96 Club Patron and Bugatti maestro Ivan Dutton, the V8 now performing beautifully!
Indeed the finished car has now returned to the circuit with superb performance and tight handling, following its appearance at the VSCC Pomeroy Trophy , the current owners were delighted to receive an invitation the 80th Members Meeting at Goodwood Motor Circuit, where the car performed very well in the Trofeo Nuvolari, for cars that competed up until 1939.
In superb mechanical order, with an exacting and cost irrespective restoration and a fascinating history, this V8 Lancia Astura Special, is surely worthy of any collection, beautifully prepared with svelte lines and a wonderful eight cylinder exhaust note, we commend this individual car to the market, as at home at concours events , as it is on long distance tours and of course and as recently proven, a fine racing car perfect for further events at Goodwood or with the VSCC , what a marvellous and exciting opportunity !
