A Jodi Ellis rendition of the Lancia Special as raced in 1953 at Avus.
By Pete Vack
We were just beginning to think that the case of the Lancia Mystery car would go unsolved. It was probably a one off, and it was described as having mechanical components from a Lancia Aprilia, including the engine, transmission, and front end, all connected by a tubular or ladder chassis.
The steering wheel, headlamps and fasteners were of German manufacture. The body was made of thin aluminum and covered with a light layer of fiberglass. It was probably built as a racecar but had a full windshield from an MGA and a spare tire. The style was more Teutonic than Latin, and yet it is attractive despite a very short wheelbase and large wheels. Was it built to race or drive on the streets or both? Was this an Italian or Swiss Etceterini? Or a German home built special that never crossed the Alps?