This GTE is understood to be one of the first five examples imported to the United States by dealer Max Hoffman. Its early history is presently unknown, but a 1965 Northwestern University parking sticker (preserved during the car’s later restoration) indicates it soon made its way to the Midwest, as does a period key chain bearing an Illinois license plate number.

According to the late collector Ray Boniface, who would himself purchase the car in 1987, the car had been acquired by Howard West of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by the late 1970s. Boniface cherished his cars, rarely parting with them; the Appia would remain in his collection until 2012, when its previous Ohio-based owner finally convinced him to sell. He would enjoy using the Lancia, then painted red, for daily driving duty in the warmer months until 2015. He then decided to have it restored.

Greece-based marque specialist Chris Skriapas was tasked with the comprehensive, no-expense-spared job, spanning 2015–2017. The engine (numbers-matching per the Lancia Appia Zagato Register) was rebuilt, along with the other mechanicals; chassis corrosion was corrected; and aluminum bodywork was stripped and repaired as needed. The car’s original color, Grigio Newmarket, was uncovered during this process, though an attractive Blu Lancia—a period-correct factory color—was selected for its exterior finish. It is paired with a red interior.

Post restoration, the Appia has seen limited road use, and its stunning Zagato coachwork dazzled showgoers at concours events including Amelia Island, Greenwich (earning the Speed and Style award in 2017), Hilton Head Island (achieving class and Automotive Design Excellence awards in 2018), and the Concours d’Elegance of America.

After being purchased by the consignor in 2022, the car was soon after sent to a shop in Litchfield, Connecticut for a mechanical restoration totaling just under $20,000. Invoices on file detail the work performed on the brakes, suspension, engine, drivetrain, cooling system, and even the interior gauges. In addition, corrections were made to the body at a separate garage in order to better restore the original look of the car. Today, the Lancia presents in spectacular condition, but more importantly, it runs and drives better than ever, and it is ideally suited to tour and rally use. Offered with photographs of its restoration, this 1959 Lancia Appia GTE Series II by Zagato is worth consideration by any collector of rare mid-century sports cars.