LAUNCH LAMBDA 214 – year 1923

Manufacturer: Lancia car factory & Cia., Turin, Italy.

The Lancia Lambda type was a masterpiece by Vincenz Lancia, which, thanks to its avant-garde design, has become one of the most remarkable cars of this brand.

Prototypes were built in 1921 r., a w 1922 r. They were exhibited for the first time at the Paris Motor Show, production started in 1922 r., then, in nine consecutive series, this model was released to 1931 r.

In the first series, an engine with a cylinder diameter was used 75 mm, with a stroke of the piston 120 mm, which gave a displacement 2120 cm3. Engine, whose 4 the cylinders closed a small angle of 13 °, was an extremely interesting structural element of the car. The cylinders have been alternated here, so that the overall length of the motor is as short as possible. W 1926 r. the seventh Lambda series received a larger engine with a displacement 2370 cm3. Maximum power increased from the original 36 kW (49 KM) do 43,4 kW (59 KM). Series engines 8 i 9 have been in 1928 r. increased to displacement 2570 cm3 and developed power 50,7 kW (69 KM) by 3500 RPM. The valves were actuated by a camshaft located in the cylinder head.

The then widely used Lancia truss beam chassis was replaced with a pressed sheet metal frame, truss structure, thus achieving a weight reduction of the car to 780 kg. Another interesting design solution was the independent suspension of the front wheels with vertical coil springs in a closed housing, in combination with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers. The rigid rear axle was sprung with longitudinal leaf springs and amortized with friction shock absorbers. With an extremely long wheelbase - 3100 mm, zoomed in soon to 3420 mm, gave Lambda an unconventional impression, while guaranteeing excellent driving characteristics. Mechanical brakes on 4 the wheels had large ribbed brake drums, and thanks to the low curb weight of the vehicle, they had excellent braking properties. The handbrake acted on the rear wheels. The first series reached the maximum speed 115 km/h, last - already 125 km/h.

For a year 1923 do 1931 total produced 12 530 Lambda's plays do not differ almost entirely from each other. All of them had a body almost five meters long, typical radiator shape and two spare wheels.