Styled like its Aurelia B10 big brother, Lancia's new small car, the Appia, arrived in 1953.

The Lancia tradition of innovation in automotive technology was exemplified by the Appia's ultra-compact engine: a narrow-angle (10 degrees), 1,089cc V4 whose inclined overhead-valves were set in hemispherical combustion chambers and operated by twin, block-mounted camshafts.

The unitary chassis construction adopted on the pre-war Aprilia was, naturally enough, continued, as was Lancia's traditional sliding-pillar independent front suspension.

'Notchback'-styled Series II cars came with a lengthened wheelbase and more power (up from 38 to 43bhp) while the final (3rd) series boasted further styling revisions and 48bhp.

Complementing the standard Appia saloon were a series of limited edition models produced on a separate chassis and bodied by leading carrozzeria , Pininfarina being responsible for the coupé, Vignale the cabriolet and Zagato the GT coupé.

Engine power was increased to 53bhp f...