Extraordinary late Astura for sale in America

[CesareFerrari]

I spotted this on the Hyman Ltd web site. Perhaps it is known to many, but not to me. It is a very late Astura with a Pininfarina body in post-war style.
Cesare

https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7016-1938-lancia-astura-cabriolet/

[frankxhv773t]

The details are very much a precursor of the Aurelia right down to the eyebrow headlights.

[Sebastien]

I remember that Astura well. From 1979!

I was then a young lad of 19, and I went to see one of the first collector car auctions in Paris, at the Bois de Boulogne. I was already then immersed in Lancia, and knew what an Astura was. I bought one of the catalogs, not one of todays high gloss, multi pages affair.... I tried to make a note of all achieved prices..... And I still have it today. Here are the relevant pages!

One thing has not changed since then - car descriptions were and still are full of mistakes! That Astura was never bodied by Pinin Farina in 1939, nor realized for Count Ciano. In 1947 the poor Count was no more!

The Astura was estimated at 50 to 70'000 (not $, not EUR, but the old FRF). And it was hammered sold for 60'000 FRF. The buyer premium was then 8,20% over 20'000 FRF, and 14,2% up to 6'000 FRF.
That Astura then reappeared in an article in the Autopassion N° 65 Magazine.
And in all the pictures I have, the windshield frame was painted, and not chromed, as is now the case (see Pebble Beach 2021 picture and the Hyman website). Also the front bumper lost its overriders.

Enjoy!

[GG]

well done, Sebastien!

[Sliding Pillar]

It is worth adding to the story of this Astura the details from the last time it was sold at auction by Bonhams in May 2007.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/15487/lot/141/?category=list&length=140&page=1
At that time it still had square front fog lamps, it also had wheel discs and a heavy chrome strip along the sill line. It sold then for 173,300 euros.
In the current ownership it appears to have had the interior refreshed and a new hood fitted. It is a pity that the hood fixings (poppers) along the side of the body, behind the door are now visible. Pinin Farina hid these with an extra flap of fabric, giving a much cleaner look.