Technical trailblazers and sporting stars on show at Woodcote Park as the idolised Italian marque reaches a landmark automotive milestone
The long and illustrious history of one of Europe’s most revered automotive marques will be celebrated at the Royal Automobile Club Concours, held in the scenic grounds of Woodcote Park on 8 July.
Lancia, one of the automotive world’s true pioneers, turns 120 later this year – a significant motoring milestone that will be honoured with a special display showcasing many of the Italian marque’s most iconic and influential models.
Founded in Turin in November 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia (photo top at the wheel) and fellow racing driver Claudio Fogolin, the newly established Lancia & C. Fabbrica Automobili produced its first car the following year and rapidly earned a reputation for technical innovation and engineering excellence.
The Theta of 1913 became the first European production car to feature a complete electrical system as standard equipment. In the following decade, the revolutionary Lambda rewrote the automotive engineering rulebook. It was the first car to feature a load-bearing monocoque body and also pioneered the use of independent suspension. Its narrow-angle aluminium V4 engine and four-wheel braking system further underlined Lancia’s advanced thinking.
In later years, the elegant and sophisticated Italian marque introduced the five-speed gearbox on the Ardea in 1948 and, just two years later, launched the Aurelia – the world’s first production car powered by a V6 engine.
Lancia is equally renowned for its extraordinary rallying heritage. The marque dominated the sport for decades, beginning with the Lancia Fulvia Coupé HF, which secured the company’s first World Rally Championship title in 1972.
The Fulvia was followed by the legendary Lancia Stratos – the first car designed specifically for rally competition – and then by the Rally 037 and Delta S4 during the fearsome Group B era, before the iconic Delta HF integrale cemented the company’s place in motorsport history. By the time Lancia withdrew from rallying, it had amassed an unrivalled total of 10 FIA World Rally Championship Manufacturers’ titles – a record that still stands today.
The special 120th anniversary display at the Royal Automobile Club Concours will feature many of Lancia’s greatest automotive and competition successes.
With enthusiastic support from the Lancia Motor Club, icons on display will include a 1922 Lambda, a brace of 1950 Aurelias, a pair of Fulvias from the sixties plus both a Stratos and Delta integrale to represent the company’s more recent outstanding sporting pedigree.
“Lancia is a much-cherished marque, particularly among automotive cognoscenti and rally enthusiasts, and I’m delighted that we are celebrating its remarkable heritage at Woodcote Park,” said Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club.
“Like many others, I grew up when Lancias were winning rallies all over the world and, as a result, the brand holds a special resonance for many of those attending our Club Concours in July.”
The Lancia anniversary showcase is one of several special feature displays designed to captivate visitors to Woodcote Park. These will appear alongside the seven prestigious central concours categories, which will be judged by a panel of leading experts at the second staging of the award-winning Royal Automobile Club Concours.
The Concours itself will be an irresistible mix of some 70 competing cars, mixing fun and style in unique fashion. In all there will be over 200 rare and eclectic cars spread across the rolling greens of Woodcote Park, together with special anniversary tributes, engines to admire, motorcycles to marvel at, and modern supercars to covet. Live music, great food, and chilled champagne on hand – it promises to be a unique day out for enthusiasts.
Adding further prestige to the occasion, world-renowned auction house RM Sotheby’s will host its Summer Sale simultaneously at Woodcote Park for the first time.
Tickets are available to all members of the Royal Automobile Club. Woodcote Park will also welcome members of invited car clubs and motoring organisations — particularly those aligned with the selected Concours categories and feature displays.
Members of invited clubs and organisations have received a unique access code enabling them to purchase advance tickets. A full hospitality package is also available for guests seeking an enhanced event experience.
Full ticket details, terms and conditions, and comprehensive event information can be found at the official website: royalautomobileclubconcours.co.uk.
