Wikicars - User contributions [en]

Lancia

2008-04-24T12:55:37Z

212.69.35.249: Removed link - not directly relevant to the Lancia marque

{{List of Lancia Models}}'''Lancia''' (Lan-cha) is an Italian [[automobile]] manufacturer founded in 1906 by [[Vincenzo Lancia]] and which became part of the [[Fiat]] group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Modern Lancias are renowned for presenting a more luxurious alternative to the models in the [[Fiat]] range upon which they are based. One of the firm's trademarks is the use of letters of the Greek alphabet as the names of its models.

Lancia is famous for many automotive innovations. These include the first full-production [[V6]] engine, in the 1950 [[Lancia Aurelia|Aurelia]], and earlier experiments with [[V8]] and [[V12]] engine configurations. It was also the first company to produce a V6 engine and a V4 engine (although these were later found to be unreliable).

== Association with other Manufacturers ==
Lancia was not closely associated with any other manufacturer until the 1960s. By this time, their expensive and high standards of production had become unsustainable. In aiming to produce a product of the highest quality, company bosses had sacrificed cost-effectiveness and when [[Fiat]] launced a take-over bid in 1969, there was no choice but to accept. Many were concerned that this would be the end of the distinctive Lancia brand but exciting new models such as 1970's [[Lancia Stratos|Stratos]] served to prove that Fiat wished to preserve the image of the brand it had acquired.

During the 1980s, the company cooperated with [[Saab Automobile]], with the [[Lancia Delta]] being sold as the [[Saab 600]] in Sweden. The 1985 [[Lancia Thema]] also shared a platform with the [[Saab 9000]], [[Fiat Croma]] and the [[Alfa Romeo 164]].

== Lancia in the UK ==
Around the same time, Lancias in the UK suffered an increasing image problem due to their tendency of rusting. Fiat was at this time using Russian steel which was less durable than that used by the majority of other manufacturers and this had led to some corrosion issues. Unlike Fiat however, the Lancia brand could not survive and the last [[right hand drive]] model was sold in the UK in 1994. Despite this a thriving owners club continued to fly the flag, with approximately 2000 members, the [http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk/ '''Lancia Motor Club'''] continues to support the marque, and celebrated the clubs' 50th anniversary in 1997 with an event that attracted over 500 Lancias many coming from overseas. However, as of September 2006, it has been announced that the brand will return to the country with a right hand drive version of its [[new Delta]] in 2009.
[http://motoring.reuters.co.uk/reuters/vocmain.jsp?lnk=101&id=1868&desc=Lancia%20returns%20to%20UK].

== Lancia in the USA ==
Whilst some earlier models had been imported on a small scale in the 1950s and 1960s, Lancias were officially sold in the United States from 1977. Sales were comparatively slow and the range was withdrawn at the same time as Fiat in 1984. Despite this, they have maintained some limited popularity; there is an [[American Lancia Club]] [http://www.americanlanciaclub.org/] for example.

== Success in Motorsport ==
Lancia has been very successful in motorsport over the years, mostly in the arena of [[rallying]] where, in the [[World Rally Championship]], they remain the most statistically successful marque, winning constructors' titles with the Fulvia (1974), Stratos (1974, 1975 and 1976), 037 (1983) and Delta (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992) models. The Delta is also the most successful individual model designation ever to compete in rallying.

==Current Range==
*[[Lancia Ypsilon]]
*[[Lancia Musa]]
*[[Lancia Thesis]]
*[[Lancia Phedra]]

== Past Models ==
* [[Lancia 037]]/[[Lancia Rally]]
* [[Lancia Appia]] (1953-1963)
* [[Lancia Aprilia]] (1937-1948)
* [[Lancia Ardea]] (1939-1953)
* [[Lancia Artena]] (1931-1943)
* [[Lancia Astura]] (1931-1939)
* [[Lancia Augusta]] (1932-1937)
* [[Lancia Aurelia]] (1950-1958)
* [[Lancia Beta]] (1972-1984)
* [[Lancia Dedra]] (1989-1999)
* [[Lancia Delta]] (1979-1994)
* [[Lancia Dilamda]] (1928-1938)
* [[Lancia Flaminia]]
* [[Lancia Flavia]]
* [[Lancia Fulvia]] (1963-1976)
* [[Lancia Gamma]] (1976-1984)
* [[Lancia Hyena]]
* [[Lancia Kappa]] (1994-2001)
* [[Lancia Lambda]] (1922-1931)
* [[Lancia Lybra]] (1999-2006)
* [[Lancia Monte Carlo]] / [[Lancia Scorpion]] (1974-1981)
* [[Lancia Prisma]] (1982-1990)
* [[Lancia Stratos HF]] (1974-1975)
* [[Lancia Thema]] (1984-1994)
* [[Lancia Theta]] (1913-1918)
* [[Lancia Y10]] (1984-1995)
* [[Lancia Zagato]] (various Lancia cars with bodies by [[Zagato]])
* [[Lancia Zeta]] (1912-1916)

==Engines==
* [[Lancia V4 engine]]
* [[Lancia V6 engine]]
* [[Lancia V8 engine]]
* [[Lancia Flat-4 engine]]

==Photos==
<gallery>
Image:Lancia Aurelia Gran Turismo.jpg|[[Lancia Aurelia|Lancia Aurelia GT]]
Image:Lanciafenomenonstratossf1.jpg|Lancia Fenomenon Stratos
Image:Lanciafenomenonstratoss.jpg
Image:Lanciafenomenonstratosrs.jpg
</gallery>

{{lancia}}

==Trivia ==

* Lancia has won more [[World Rally Championship]] (WRC) victories than any other manufacturer;
* The Theta model of 1913 was the first car in Europe to feature an electrical system[http://www.lancia.com/cgi-bin/lancia.dll/LANCIA_COM/history/history.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1206126837.1165193033@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjhlifgjlcefecejgdfiidgnf.0&categoryOID=-1073792927];
* The marque introduced many important innovative developments, including[http://www.lancia.com/cgi-bin/lancia.dll/LANCIA_COM/history/history.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1206126837.1165193033@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjhlifgjlcefecejgdfiidgnf.0&categoryOID=-1073792927]:
** a load-bearing body shell;
** independent suspension for the front wheels;
** the incorporation of the transmission tunnel into the floor of the car;
** the incorporation of a luggage compartment within the load-bearing structure of the car;

==External links==
* [http://www.lancia.com/ Lancia]
* [http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk/ Lancia Motor Club. The oldest and largest Lancia Club in the world with members from around the world]
* [http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Lancia DMOZ Category: Lancia]
* [http://www.eurovan2.com/ Lancia Phedra Forum]
* [http://www.viva-lancia.com/ Viva Lancia fanpage!]
* [http://www.lancia-historie.de/index_english.html Information about the firm since 1881]
* [http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=64911&Lancia Lancia Appia Zagato data]

[[Category:Lancia]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of Italy]]
[[Category:Formula One constructors]]
[[Category:Turin]]
[[Category:Makes]]

Lancia

2008-04-24T12:52:59Z

212.69.35.249: Removed link - not relevant to the Lancia marque

{{List of Lancia Models}}'''Lancia''' (Lan-cha) is an Italian [[automobile]] manufacturer founded in 1906 by [[Vincenzo Lancia]] and which became part of the [[Fiat]] group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Modern Lancias are renowned for presenting a more luxurious alternative to the models in the [[Fiat]] range upon which they are based. One of the firm's trademarks is the use of letters of the Greek alphabet as the names of its models.

Lancia is famous for many automotive innovations. These include the first full-production [[V6]] engine, in the 1950 [[Lancia Aurelia|Aurelia]], and earlier experiments with [[V8]] and [[V12]] engine configurations. It was also the first company to produce a V6 engine and a V4 engine (although these were later found to be unreliable).

== Association with other Manufacturers ==
Lancia was not closely associated with any other manufacturer until the 1960s. By this time, their expensive and high standards of production had become unsustainable. In aiming to produce a product of the highest quality, company bosses had sacrificed cost-effectiveness and when [[Fiat]] launced a take-over bid in 1969, there was no choice but to accept. Many were concerned that this would be the end of the distinctive Lancia brand but exciting new models such as 1970's [[Lancia Stratos|Stratos]] served to prove that Fiat wished to preserve the image of the brand it had acquired.

During the 1980s, the company cooperated with [[Saab Automobile]], with the [[Lancia Delta]] being sold as the [[Saab 600]] in Sweden. The 1985 [[Lancia Thema]] also shared a platform with the [[Saab 9000]], [[Fiat Croma]] and the [[Alfa Romeo 164]].

== Lancia in the UK ==
Around the same time, Lancias in the UK suffered an increasing image problem due to their tendency of rusting. Fiat was at this time using Russian steel which was less durable than that used by the majority of other manufacturers and this had led to some corrosion issues. Unlike Fiat however, the Lancia brand could not survive and the last [[right hand drive]] model was sold in the UK in 1994. Despite this a thriving owners club continued to fly the flag, with approximately 2000 members, the [http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk/ '''Lancia Motor Club'''] continues to support the marque, and celebrated the clubs' 50th anniversary in 1997 with an event that attracted over 500 Lancias many coming from overseas. However, as of September 2006, it has been announced that the brand will return to the country with a right hand drive version of its [[new Delta]] in 2009.
[http://motoring.reuters.co.uk/reuters/vocmain.jsp?lnk=101&id=1868&desc=Lancia%20returns%20to%20UK].

== Lancia in the USA ==
Whilst some earlier models had been imported on a small scale in the 1950s and 1960s, Lancias were officially sold in the United States from 1977. Sales were comparatively slow and the range was withdrawn at the same time as Fiat in 1984. Despite this, they have maintained some limited popularity; there is an [[American Lancia Club]] [http://www.americanlanciaclub.org/] for example.

== Success in Motorsport ==
Lancia has been very successful in motorsport over the years, mostly in the arena of [[rallying]] where, in the [[World Rally Championship]], they remain the most statistically successful marque, winning constructors' titles with the Fulvia (1974), Stratos (1974, 1975 and 1976), 037 (1983) and Delta (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992) models. The Delta is also the most successful individual model designation ever to compete in rallying.

==Current Range==
*[[Lancia Ypsilon]]
*[[Lancia Musa]]
*[[Lancia Thesis]]
*[[Lancia Phedra]]

== Past Models ==
* [[Lancia 037]]/[[Lancia Rally]]
* [[Lancia Appia]] (1953-1963)
* [[Lancia Aprilia]] (1937-1948)
* [[Lancia Ardea]] (1939-1953)
* [[Lancia Artena]] (1931-1943)
* [[Lancia Astura]] (1931-1939)
* [[Lancia Augusta]] (1932-1937)
* [[Lancia Aurelia]] (1950-1958)
* [[Lancia Beta]] (1972-1984)
* [[Lancia Dedra]] (1989-1999)
* [[Lancia Delta]] (1979-1994)
* [[Lancia Dilamda]] (1928-1938)
* [[Lancia Flaminia]]
* [[Lancia Flavia]]
* [[Lancia Fulvia]] (1963-1976)
* [[Lancia Gamma]] (1976-1984)
* [[Lancia Hyena]]
* [[Lancia Kappa]] (1994-2001)
* [[Lancia Lambda]] (1922-1931)
* [[Lancia Lybra]] (1999-2006)
* [[Lancia Monte Carlo]] / [[Lancia Scorpion]] (1974-1981)
* [[Lancia Prisma]] (1982-1990)
* [[Lancia Stratos HF]] (1974-1975)
* [[Lancia Thema]] (1984-1994)
* [[Lancia Theta]] (1913-1918)
* [[Lancia Y10]] (1984-1995)
* [[Lancia Zagato]] (various Lancia cars with bodies by [[Zagato]])
* [[Lancia Zeta]] (1912-1916)

==Engines==
* [[Lancia V4 engine]]
* [[Lancia V6 engine]]
* [[Lancia V8 engine]]
* [[Lancia Flat-4 engine]]

==Photos==
<gallery>
Image:Lancia Aurelia Gran Turismo.jpg|[[Lancia Aurelia|Lancia Aurelia GT]]
Image:Lanciafenomenonstratossf1.jpg|Lancia Fenomenon Stratos
Image:Lanciafenomenonstratoss.jpg
Image:Lanciafenomenonstratosrs.jpg
</gallery>

{{lancia}}

==Trivia ==

* Lancia has won more [[World Rally Championship]] (WRC) victories than any other manufacturer;
* The Theta model of 1913 was the first car in Europe to feature an electrical system[http://www.lancia.com/cgi-bin/lancia.dll/LANCIA_COM/history/history.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1206126837.1165193033@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjhlifgjlcefecejgdfiidgnf.0&categoryOID=-1073792927];
* The marque introduced many important innovative developments, including[http://www.lancia.com/cgi-bin/lancia.dll/LANCIA_COM/history/history.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1206126837.1165193033@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjhlifgjlcefecejgdfiidgnf.0&categoryOID=-1073792927]:
** a load-bearing body shell;
** independent suspension for the front wheels;
** the incorporation of the transmission tunnel into the floor of the car;
** the incorporation of a luggage compartment within the load-bearing structure of the car;

==External links==
* [http://www.lancia.com/ Lancia]
* [http://www.lanciamotorclub.co.uk/ Lancia Motor Club. The oldest and largest Lancia Club in the world with members from around the world]
* [http://dmoz.org/Recreation/Autos/Makes_and_Models/Lancia DMOZ Category: Lancia]
* [http://www.eurovan2.com/ Lancia Phedra Forum]
* [http://www.viva-lancia.com/ Viva Lancia fanpage!]
* [http://www.lancia-historie.de/index_english.html Information about the firm since 1881]
* [http://www.wheelsofitaly.com Lancia's and other Italian Cars (Wheels Of Italy)]
* [http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=64911&Lancia Lancia Appia Zagato data]

[[Category:Lancia]]
[[Category:Motor vehicle manufacturers of Italy]]
[[Category:Formula One constructors]]
[[Category:Turin]]
[[Category:Makes]]