Uploaded September 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Legend has it that #Vincenzo #Lancia's idea for a chassis-less automobile came to him on a boat trip, observing how the boat's hull was a strong, self-supporting structure. The Lambda's structure is a skeleton made of 2 mm thick pressed steel elements: the two sides with cutouts for the doors, the front bulkhead, and a series of transverse elements united by a transmission tunnel, which acted as a stressed member. To reduce weight, holes were cut on non-stressed areas. The resulting structure not only was much more rigid than anything seen before but was also very light.
This would have been already enough to set the #Lambda apart from every other car available at the time. Still, together with independent front suspension, it produced a vehicle whose road-holding and handling characteristics were at least a decade ahead of the whole industry.
Although the last Lambdas were made in 1931, the company continued on the path of innovation and technical excellence it established well after that, and that's what makes the Lambda the most important Lancia of all.
Presented at the Paris motor show in late 1922, the Lambda reached its first customers in mid-1923. With over 10.000 (11.503) examples sold over 9 series until 1931, of which around 40% were exported, the Lambda proved a remarkable commercial success for the small company Lancia actually was.
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel: teespring.com/stores/roadster-life
My automotive books:
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
Legend has it that #Vincenzo #Lancia's idea for a chassis-less automobile came to him on a boat trip, observing how the boat's hull was a strong, self-supporting structure. The Lambda's structure is a skeleton made of 2 mm thick pressed steel elements: the two sides with cutouts for the doors, the front bulkhead, and a series of transverse elements united by a transmission tunnel, which acted as a stressed member. To reduce weight, holes were cut on non-stressed areas. The resulting structure not only was much more rigid than anything seen before but was also very light.
This would have been already enough to set the #Lambda apart from every other car available at the time. Still, together with independent front suspension, it produced a vehicle whose road-holding and handling characteristics were at least a decade ahead of the whole industry.
Although the last Lambdas were made in 1931, the company continued on the path of innovation and technical excellence it established well after that, and that's what makes the Lambda the most important Lancia of all.
Presented at the Paris motor show in late 1922, the Lambda reached its first customers in mid-1923. With over 10.000 (11.503) examples sold over 9 series until 1931, of which around 40% were exported, the Lambda proved a remarkable commercial success for the small company Lancia actually was.
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel: teespring.com/stores/roadster-life
My automotive books:
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
