The Dilambda was presented at the 1929 Paris Motor Show as the successor to the outgoing Lambda, with Lancia returning to a body-on-frame approach for the new model in lieu of its predecessor’s unibody construction. The Dilambda was produced in three series, the first two of which were offered as either the Model 227 with a 3,475mm wheelbase or the Model 229 with a wheelbase of 3,290mm. Chassis could be purchased with a choice of in-house body styles…
The Dilambda was presented at the 1929 Paris Motor Show as the successor to the outgoing Lambda, with Lancia returning to a body-on-frame approach for the new model in lieu of its predecessor’s unibody construction. The Dilambda was produced in three series, the first two of which were offered as either the Model 227 with a 3,475mm wheelbase or the Model 229 with a wheelbase of 3,290mm. Chassis could be purchased with a choice of in-house body styles or sent to a customer’s coachbuilder of preference to receive bodywork.
Steel bodywork is wrapped over wood framework and is said to have been specified in a two-tone light gray and blue finish when new. After a series of color changes over the course of its life, the car was returned to a gray and blue color scheme during the refurbishment performed under current ownership, which also included body repairs based on photos sourced from the original owner’s descendants. Additional repairs were performed to the rear of the bodywork by Hot Rod Chavek in Orange, California, after the car was rear-ended in Los Angeles at the end of its 2022 cross-country journey. The selling dealer notes that sagging of the right-hand door causes it to rub against the running-board strips if not lifted when closing.
Blue-painted Rudge-Whitworth wheels are secured by Lancia-branded two-eared knock-offs and are wrapped in BFGoodrich Silvertown whitewall tires, as is a matching spare mounted at the rear of the car. Additional exterior features include rear-hinged doors, a tilt-out windshield, louvered side panels below a centrally hinged hood, scrolled rear bumpers, dual fishtail exhaust tips, shield-shaped headlight housings, a gold-color “BS” grille badge, and a blue convertible top with bright landau bars.
The cabin is upholstered in blue leather with diamond-pattern woven inserts over the front bucket seats, rear bench, and door panels. Burl wood lines the backs of the front seats and is matched by a burl wood windshield frame, dash surround, and upper door accents. Additional features include blue carpeting, roll-up windows, and a Pyrene fire extinguisher.
The four-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of the left side of a blue dash fascia that hosts an ivory- and gold-color instrument panel. Silver-letter instrumentation includes a 90-mph speedometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring fuel level, coolant temperature, and oil pressure flanking an amperage gauge surrounded by a gold-color bezel controlling exterior lighting. The five-digit odometer shows 10k miles, approximately 5k of which have been added under current ownership. The instrument panel also contains a St. Christopher insignia in silver.
The 3,958cc Type 81 V8 features a 24° angle between cylinder banks, a five-bearing crankshaft, a shared cylinder head with a single camshaft actuating overhead valves via pushrods, and a single updraft carburetor. The water pump was rebuilt during the 2022 cross-country drive, and fluids were checked and topped off in preparation for the sale. Engine number 655 can be seen stamped on the block in the photo gallery below.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, and the selling dealer notes noise from the clutch release bearing. Sliding-pillar independent front suspension comprises coil springs and adjustable shocks contained in oil around vertical pins anchored to either end of a beam axle, while rear suspension incorporates a solid rear axle and semi-elliptical leaf springs. Stopping is handled by drum brakes actuated by rods and cables with servo assistance.