Lancia Aprilia Bilux

Vehicle Overview

The Lancia Aprilia Bilux by Pininfarina exemplifies the diversity and creativity among Italian coachbuilders during the pre-war and post-war automotive eras. Introduced in the 1930s, the Lancia Aprilia series featured multiple wheelbase chassis options, allowing for a variety of body styles to be fitted or for the sale of rolling chassis to independent coachbuilders. This flexibility attracted renowned names in automotive design like Bertone, Touring, Vignale, and Pinin Farina, who each contributed unique and often elegant bodies to the Aprilia lineup. Influenced initially by the opulent American automotive styles of the 1930s, European coachbuilders transitioned after World War II towards a more streamlined and understated aesthetic characterized by “pontoon fender” designs. These integrated the fenders into the car’s overall lines, moving away from the more sculptural forms of the previous era. Pinin Farina’s design for the Lancia Aprilia Bilux, based on the Type 439 long chassis, exemplifies this shift in automotive styling. Noteworthy changes included headlights becoming seamlessly integrated into the front end, and the elimination of prominent side footboards. This evolutionary approach in design would later influence the creation of the Lancia Aurelia, a model renowned for its innovative engineering and refined aesthetics. The Lancia Aprilia itself enjoyed significant popularity and acclaim during its production, which spanned from the 1930s until 1949. Its versatility and the artistic interpretations by various coachbuilders contributed to its status as a beloved and successful automobile of its time. Today, examples like the Lancia Aprilia Bilux by Pininfarina remain cherished artifacts of automotive history, celebrated for their design ingenuity, historical significance, and the craftsmanship of Italian coachbuilding during a pivotal era in motoring evolution.