1915 Lancia Theta
Reg No. DS6634
Chassis No. 2645
Engine No. 301
£105,950 GBP
- One of the first true Italian touring cars
- Extensively overhauled. On the button
- One of circa 25 remaining
- Retains original Coachwork, Engine, Gearbox, Axles and lighting.
- Known as ‘exceptionally original’ to the Lancia club
- 60 mph Veteran/Edwardian driving.
In November 1906, Vincenzo Lancia, a talented engineer founded the automotive manufacturer Lancia in Torino, Italy. Previously FIAT’s chief test driver, in 1907 he launched Lancias first production motorcar and so began a brand name associated with fine innovation and rallying pedigree.
Lancia launched the Theta in 1913 and at the time it was the first European car in existence to have a full electrical system, including starting from factory. The Theta featured a powerful 5 Litre four cylinder engine that produced a superb 70HP and was able to achieve speeds of 60mph comfortably. The car was particularly successful in the USA where it was able to stretch its long legs on the open roads and the cars were often supplied in chassis and engine form, with coachwork completed by companies in the many countries these cars were shipped. The last chassis was produced in 1919 by which point around 1700 Thetas had been produced. It is thought today that only 25 survive and lost of these are modified or lacking originally supplied coachwork.
This 1915 Theta, was originally supplied to New York City, by American Lancia agents, Thomas Evarts Adams Inc. where it received Hydraplane coach work, which is still on the car today. The car first arrived into the UK in 1981 into the docks at Liverpool, the car still features its original coachwork, engine, gearbox, axles and stamped bonnet. The original Rushmore lighting is still present also. Remarkably. The car is known to the Lancia club as a truly exceptional and original car.
In current family ownership since 2011, this Lancia Theta has been maintained over the years will little worry to expense. Files show that the Engine has been overhauled with new Valves, Pistons, Connecting Rods, White metal bearings and overhauls to the Water and Oil pumps. All of which are supported with related imagery in the history file. The car presents exceptionally well, having been brush painted at vast expense in 2009. Ready to use and on the button touring.
This beautiful Lancia offers a new custodian a true Veteran/Edwardian Italian touring car of the highest quality, that can keep up with modern traffic and travel distance at ease. Previously Theta models have completed the famous Paris - Peking rally, showing the exceptional range that these vehicles are capable of covering when in maintained order like this one.
The Theta had a complete engine rebuild some years ago and has probably not travelled 500 miles since, the below information has been taken from notes in the file with reference to this.
Crankcase line bored, new bronzes for main and big end bearings made and fitted, New connecting rods, nuts and bolts, Re-metal all bottom end, Crank ground, phased (not just reground, phased to ensure all the - crankcase pins are in the right place, thus ensuring all faults are corrected) and balanced with flywheel, Block bored and honed (had to correct the centres thus ensuring all bores in the right place and perpendicular). Valve seats re-cut, Also benefitting from the following new items; pistons fitted (and balanced), valve guides made - SG IRON, valves manufactured to high specification - S and G Valve Manufacturers, valve springs, little end bearings, oil pump fitted with modifications to improve pin lubrication (centre of gears drilled to improve internal pin lubrication), the oil pump is a known weakness in this model. Additionally benefitting from: Pressure relief valve overhauled, Air compressor overhauled, New 3165S shaft for water pump made, Twin mechanical seals fitted front and back to water pump, New standpipes made for priming cups x 4, Oil seals fitted to magneto drive, Magneto rebuilt.
Additionally, the radiator has benefitted from a re-core. Still retaining the original electric starter, the electrics have been converted to 12v from the original 6v system and incorporates a modern 12v fuel pump and traffic indicators. The body was restored and repainted by Vintage & Classic Paintshop using Tekaloid paint in 2009, with “the body primed 3 times in total”. A letter on file, from February of 2009, documents the ‘work carried out’. “The undersides of the wings were painted with a high-quality Black stone chip protector. The seams of the wings were sealed.” Inside, the Black leather upholstery is new, with all the original instruments, including the speedometer, being subjected to an overhaul.
