By the late ’20s, Lancia was already known for its sporty and luxurious vehicles.
That’s why it surprised the market when it unveiled the Augusta at the 1932 Paris Motor Show.

The Italian industry was on the verge of conquering more and more markets. Lancia already stepped inside France with its first factory outside Italy, and its management knew that they would have to offer something different. That’s why they designed the Augusta. A car aimed at the masses but designed and built by a prestigious carmaker, known in the luxury segment.

While most of the carmakers from that era built their vehicles with vertical radiators, Lancia chose to make it slightly raked. It was a new request from the management, who wished to make the car look sportier, even though it was just a regular compact sedan of those times. Even the greenhouse was different, with a sloped roofline and curved rear side. The trunk was in the exterior and served as a support for the spare wheels.

Inside, Lancia kept its promise for the luxury market and installed a split-bench at the front and a bench in the back. The three-spoke steering wheel featured a metal and wood combination to offer both grip and a stylish look. Its instrument panel was in the middle of the dashboard, and only the fuel gauge was in front of the driver. As a luxury touch, the car featured cranked windows on the front doors. The rear-hinged back doors offered good access to the rear seats, but the room in the back was very limited.

Under the hood, the Italian engineers installed a small yet efficient, 1.2-liter engine that provided 35 hp. It was paired to a 4-speed manual.