This Car Has It All

• Matching numbers
• Over 50 years in the same family
• Mille Miglia: excellent coefficient of 1.75. As pre-war, soon on the starting line
• Complete historical review

Provenance

Lancia Lambda, chassis no. 19229 is an VIII series example, produced in 1928. The car has matching numbers: the current engine no. 9091 is the original. Leaving the Lancia assembly lines on 30 June as a short chassis (3.1m), type 221, it was sent to the Albany body shop on 14 July and registered on 20 September 1928.  It is believed that Albany made seven different body styles on the Lambda chassis. In the VIII series he created Weymann-type sedans, internally driven aerodynamic cars called Airflow Streamlines and the Drop-head Coupé convertibles. This last particular bodywork was built by Albany in just 8 examples and it is believed that the car with chassis no. 19229 is the only one to have survived. 

Recognized for Rarity

The Lambda LWR world registry, chaired by Bill Jamieson and Joachim Griese, recognizes its rarity. The car with chassis no. 19229 was found in 1962 and, after a partial restoration, remained in the London area until 1965 when it was purchased by Arthur Keeling who, subsequently, in 1982 carried out a conservative restoration. It has remained in the same family ever since. Upon Arthur's death, it passed into the hands of his son George, who looked after it lovingly until 2016, when he returned to Italy. 

First On The Line

It has first-rate aesthetic characteristics, painted a pastel gray with black fenders and bright red leather interior. There are many surprising details, the brass plate on the door sill from the original London dealer stands out. The car retains its original plates and has recent Italian registration. Excellent for concours d'elegance and regularity races: the Lancia Lambda Tipo 22 enjoys an excellent coefficient of 1.75 at the Mille Miglia where, as before the war, it has the advantage of positioning itself early on the starting line.