Lancia has always been renowned as an innovative company, bringing many firsts to the automotive industry. The Lancia Ardea carried on this tradition of innovation, as it was the first to offer a V-4 engine as well as the first mass produced five-speed manual transmission. Lancia offered the Ardea from 1939 to 1954, over which time roughly 23,000 examples were produced.

This 1950 Lancia Ardea falls under the fourth series of production which ran from 1949 to 1953, over which time a reported 11,700 examples were produced. The Ardea on offer was the last car purchased by noted car collector Martin Swig prior to his passing. The car was later campaigned successfully by Martin’s sons in the 2013 California Mille Miglia. Presented in a beautiful shade of gray with accenting brightwork, the car shows very nicely. Additional exterior features include pop-out turn signals and factory wheel covers. The car features a right-hand driving configuration and is powered by a 900-cc, 30-hp V-4 engine which is paired to a floor-shift five-speed manual transmission.