Lancia Appia Lusso Convertable 1957-1962
| Lancia Appia Convertibile and Lusso | |
|---|---|
Lancia Appia Convertibile Vignale
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,510 mm (98.8 in) |
| Length | Convertibile: 4,150 mm (163.4 in) Lusso: 4,340 mm (170.9 in) |
| Width | Convertibile: 1,510 mm (59.4 in) Lusso: 1,520 mm (59.8 in) |
| Height | Convertibile: 1,300 mm (51.2 in) Lusso: 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
| Kerb weight | Convertibile: 920 kg (2,028 lb) Lusso: 930 kg (2,050 lb) |
Vignale's creations from the 1956 Turin Motor Show—on two of the eight 812.00 chassis—were a coupé named Appia Sport, reminiscent of Vignale's own Lancia Aurelia "Raggio Azzurro", and the Gran Lusso, an elegant 2-door saloon.
Vignale was then chosen to build a cabriolet version of the Appia. The Lancia Appia Convertibile, designed by Giovanni Michelotti, was introduced at the 1957 Turin Motor Show and built up to 1962. Initially a two-seater, it was later revised to accept two rear occasional seats, thus becoming a 2+2 from the summer of 1968. All Convertibles were built on a 812.01 chassis; at first based on the second series Appia platform with a 53 PS engine, upgraded in 1959 to the third series platform and 54 PS engine, and finally in 1960 to the more powerful 60 PS engine. From 1957 to 1962 1,584 convertibles were built.
At the 1958 Turin Motor Show Vignale introduced another special Appia variant, the Lancia Appia Lusso or Berlina Lusso. It was 2-door saloon with frameless doors and ample windows, again with styling by Michelotti derived from the 1956 Lancia Gran Lusso. All Vignale Lusso were built on a specific Tipo 812.02 chassis, a strengthened series three platform. Front wings and bonnet were shared with the Convertibile, but the Lusso was longer, larger and taller. In total 477 Appia Lusso were made in the Vignale factory from 1959 to 1962.