1935 Lancia Belna Saloon, Registration no. JSJ 241 Chassis no. F311484

* Rare French-built Lancia
* An older restoration
* Purchased for the collection in 1998
* Last used in 2013

One of the most gifted automobile engineers of all time, Vincenzo Lancia founded his own company in 1906 having previously been in FIAT's employ as chief test driver. Introduced in 1907, the first Lancia car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention that would remain associated with the marque well into the modern era. Military vehicles, lorries, vans, and aero engines followed, the latter enabling Lancia to accrue valuable expertise in the design and construction of 'V'-configuration power plants.

At the other end of the scale from Lancia's large Lambda, Dilambda, Astura, and Artena models was the Augusta, produced from 1933 to 1936. Like its larger siblings, the Augusta was powered by a V-configuration engine – a 1,196cc four – and featured Lancia's trademark sliding-pillar independent front suspension. In the UK, the technologically advanced Augusta caught the attention of aristocratic motoring enthusiast Freddie Richmond, Earl of March, whose company offered a stylish 'Augusta March Special' convertible on the Italian chassis.

Exquisitely engineered like all Lancias, the Augusta was also built at Lancia's facility at Bonneuil-sur-Marne, France, where production had commenced on 1st October 1931. Lancia's first factory outside Italy, the Bonneuil-sur-Marne plant manufactured the Augusta and later Aprilia models, which were marketed in France as the Belna and Ardennes respectively. By the time French production ceased in 1938, approximately 3,000 Belna and 1,500 Ardennes models had been completed, the vast majority of the former being saloons like that offered here.

Restored at date unknown, this rare, French-built Lancia was purchased by Brin Edwards in 1998, and in July 2008 took part in the Historic Vehicle Gathering at Powderham Castle, Kent. It has also been used for weddings and school graduation balls.

A leaking cylinder head gasket was suspected when the car was garaged in 2013; otherwise it is known to have been in mechanically good condition when last used. Finished in Navy Blue over Sky Blue with contrasting Burgundy vinyl interior, the car is offered with expired tax discs, SORN (November 2015), a V5C Registration Certificate, and a quantity of MoTs (most recent expired 2013). Sold strictly as viewed.