Lancia
Italy1906 - 2012 | 1,143 Vehicles
Vincenzo Lancia began building cars in 1906, and this Italian car manufacturer (part of the Fiat Group since 1969) quickly developed a reputation for technical innovation. Its first car, the 1907 Alpha, featured a tubular front axle. The 1913 Theta included the first built-in electrical system in a European car. The 1922 Lambda featured V4 power and independent suspension, and the 1933 Augusta was the first sedan with a loaad-bearing monocoque body. The 1936 Aprilia was one of the first mass-produced cars with a truly aerodynamic shape. The 1950 Aurelia was powered by the first V6, with its clutch, gearbox, and differential mounted in a single unit on the rear axle.
Over the years, Lancia cars made their mark in road racing and, at times, dominated rally competition. Winning Lancias included the D50 Formula One racer that appeared in 1954. When the Lancia family sold its interest in the company, Ferrari took over the Lancia team. The renamed Lancia/Ferrari D50 won the Forumal One World Championship in 1955. Some of Lancia's greatest competition successes came from rally cars. The futuristic, wedge-shaped Lancia Stratos won the World Rally Championship three straight times in 1974-1976. Even more successful was the HF Integrale version of the Lancia Delta and its ultimate development, the Evoluzione. This powerful, four-wheel-drive hatchback won six consecutive Constructors Championships between 1987 and 1992.

