The Appia ushered out the sport-oriented design, which originally appeared in the early 1920s on the Lancia Lambda, and its line-up debuted, ranging from sedate to simply stunning, in 1952. Arguably the most dramatic Appia variant, the Pinin Farina-designed coupé, arrived in 1957, and it had the looks to go with Lancia’s gutsy little V-4 engine and willing suspension. Its most distinctive feature was its roof, which was swathed in a contrasting shade and was made all the more dashing by the way its B-pillar dove aggressively down into the body just aft the front doors.

The Appia Coupé was made especially famous by its appearance in the Italian film Il Vigile (The Policeman), and it quickly became a desirable accessory amongst Europe’s most fashion-savvy in the late ’50s and early ’60s. After watching the beautiful Sylva Koscina drive an Appia on the silver screen, the elegant little Lancia was destined for stardom. Koscina was ever the socialite, and she positively exemplified the Appia Coupé’s image.

Reportedly, it was that film and its famous actress which are said to have inspired the original owner of this Appia, a Portuguese count, to acquire it for his wife for her birthday. It is a second-series Appia that benefits from a slightly longer wheelbase and a five-horsepower bump over the earlier production models. It is believed that after the count passed away, his wife left the dashing Lancia in a barn, where it would slumber until 2012. It was then acquired by the current owner and subjected to a thorough frame-off mechanical and cosmetic restoration to its original specification the following year. In fact, it still retains its original Portuguese number plate and a 1959 registration document.

Inside and out, it appears as it did when it was first assembled by Pinin Farina. It features a white finish with a contrasting roof on the outside, which is set off by a two-tone tan and black interior with new period-style carpeting in both the cabin and boot area. Likewise, its 53-horsepower, 1.1-litre V-4 engine has been thoroughly serviced and is said to provide excellent performance. In addition to the sport-styled wheels currently installed on the Appia, it will be delivered to its next owner with a set of original-style wheels. Only some light patina is apparent on its steering wheel centre cap, which serves as a reminder that it is, in fact, a 55-year-old vehicle.