The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The ultimate italian coachbuilder site
The 1938 Lancia Astura Flying Star by Touring Superleggera.
The Lancia Astura Flying Star one-off is a stunning example of Italian automotive design, crafted by the renowned coachbuilder Touring. Originally built for the 1938 Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, the car’s debut was unfortunately canceled due to the geopolitical tensions of the time. Despite this, the Astura Flying Star remains one of the most visually striking and unique vehicles of its era. This one-of-a-kind creation features a long, slender body design, marking the first time that Touring Superleggera applied the Flying Star body to a Coupé version. The car was built on the Lancia Astura IV chassis, a robust platform that provided both style and functionality. With seating for six, the Astura Flying Star combined elegance with practicality, appealing to both luxury and performance enthusiasts. A key design feature of the Astura Flying Star is the chrome strip that runs along the sides of the car, starting from the radiator and extending all the way along the body to form a distinct ‘V’ shape. This striking element not only accentuates the vehicle’s graceful lines but also contributes to its sense of motion, even when stationary. Another hallmark of the car is the trademark curved louvres, which evoke the image of a ‘Shooting Star tail.’ These vents, which are positioned near the rear of the vehicle, add an aerodynamic flair while underscoring the car’s dynamic aesthetic. The Lancia Astura Flying Star embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of its time, showcasing Touring Superleggera’s mastery in creating bespoke, luxurious vehicles. Its unique design, coupled with its historical significance, makes it a true automotive gem, appreciated by collectors and car enthusiasts alike.
The Flying Star is a type of body created by Touring Superleggera introduced at the 1931 Milan Auto Show on a Isotta Fraschini 8B chassis which gained a great success. It was also adapted to other chassis maintaining the same basic settings. The trademark elements of this kind of bodywork were basically a thick chrome strip on the side that starts from the radiator, runs along the entire car forming a ‘V’ at the doors and descends on the tail.
