Autoworld Museum, Brussels, Belgium
Until April 19, 2026
With the exhibition Lancia 120 Years – innovation through Italian design, Autoworld Brussels is celebrating 120 years of the great Italian brand, highlighting both its design and technology. While Lancia is renowned for its success in competition, particularly in rallying, and the elegance of many of its models, it is often forgotten that the Italian brand has also been highly innovative in technical terms. Examples include the self-supporting structure and monocoque chassis hull (before the Citroën Traction) and the first V6 engine in a production car. Divided into two parts, one devoted to design and innovation and the other to Lancia’s history in rallying, the exhibition features several rare and even unique cars.
The 1924 Lancia Lambda Series 2 was powered by a V4 engine and its monocoque structure allowed for a low profile and good road holding. A unique model, the 1935 Astura Pinin Farina roadster was based on a short-wheelbase version of the Astura, Lancia’s top-of-the-range model in the 1930s with its overhead cam V8 engine. The Aurelia B20, the world’s first production model equipped with a V6 engine, introduced a 2+2 GT coupe body style. The 1963 Flaminia Zagato Sport is distinguished by its double bubble roof, characteristic of the Zagato style. With just over 500 units built, this version is now highly sought after by enthusiasts.
In the 1980s, the Thema was the large sedan in the range, and Lancia developed a sporty, luxurious version, equipping it with a 215-horsepower V8/32-valve engine (hence its name, Thema 8.32) derived from that of the Ferrari 308, and high-end finishes, leather upholstery, and a burr walnut dashboard. Illustrating both design research and innovation, two exceptional prototypes are also on display. The 1952 Pininfarina PF 200, based on an Aurelia B52, is clearly inspired by the world of aeronautics with its round grille resembling a jet engine opening. Five or six prototypes were produced, with the one on display at Autoworld being the first presented in 1952.
The 1956 four-door version of the Florida is a Pininfarina study for a very large ceremonial sedan with opposing doors and no central pillar, a configuration that was not retained on the Flaminia. This unique prototype was presented in 1956 at the Brussels and Geneva motor shows and has rarely been shown to the public since.
During its long history in motorsport, Lancia even won a Formula 1 World Championship in 1956 with Juan Manuel Fangio. Lancia had designed the D50 to compete in the F1 World Championship, but at the end of 1955 the Lancia team was transferred to Ferrari, which successfully raced the D50 in 1956. The D50 featured an original design, with a compact V8 engine, aluminum fuel tanks on either side for better weight distribution, and a drive shaft that ran alongside the driver’s seat, which was positioned very low.
But it was rallying that made Lancia one of the most iconic names in international motorsport. Lancia still holds the record for WRC (World Rally Championship) titles with 10 wins. These successes were built on a succession of models that have become iconic. The Fulvia coupe, derived from the sedan of the same name, is a compact, lightweight, elegant car that was transformed into a formidable rally car, especially in its “1600 HF Fanalone” version (so named because of its large headlights at the front). The Fulvia 1600 HF stood out from most of its rally competitors with its front-wheel drive. It shone in particular at the 1972 Monte Carlo Rally in the hands of Sandro Munari, beating the Alpine-Renault.
It was replaced in 1974 in rallies by the legendary Stratos, which can be considered the first car designed specifically for road racing. The wedge-shaped body designed by Bertone was fitted with a mid-mounted V6 engine derived from that of the Dino Ferrari. The Stratos racked up victories and titles, winning three World Constructors’ Championships (1974, 1975, 1976), one Drivers’ World Championship (1977), several European Drivers’ Championships (there was no world drivers’ title before 1977) and nearly a hundred rally victories!
The Lancia 037, which appeared in 1982, was part of the Group B generation, undoubtedly the most spectacular cars in rallying history. With its mid-engine rear-wheel drive, Lancia opted for lightness and agility in the face of the four-wheel drive Audi Quattro. The 037 won Lancia the 1983 World Championship, before four-wheel drive cars took over rallying for good.
After Group B was banned by the FIA for being too powerful, too extreme, and too dangerous, Lancia ushered in the “Delta era,” first with the Delta 4WD (1987), then the Delta Integrale (1988), and finally the Delta Integrale 16V (1989), the model on display at Autoworld for this retrospective. In total, the Lancia Delta won six consecutive World Championships from 1987 to 1992, a record that remains unbroken to this day.
Cars & Coffee – Sunday, April 19, 2026
The Lancia 120 Years exhibition will close with a Cars & Coffee event on Sunday, April 19, 2026, on the esplanade in front of the entrance to Autoworld in Brussels. All owners of Italian classic cars are invited to come between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a friendly get-together and a tour of the exhibition.
The photos on this page belong to Autoworld, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the museum.