![Lancia Astura S2 230 1933 aerodynamica coupe rebody by Castagna 1934
2017 Concours d'Elegance Paleis het Loo - Apeldoorn (NL)
This car was deservedly awarded the Best of Show trophy in the Concours. Admittedly the Concours has lost most of its luster in the last few years but even in a high quality event like the 2016 Villa d'Este concours it could hold it's own, being selected as the public's favorite in that event.
The history of this car is somewhat convoluted: it started its life as a second series Lancia Astura Tipo 230 in 1933. In 1934 the car was acquired by Vittorio Mussolini, a son of the notorious Italian dictator. He had the engine upgraded to the new Astura Series 3 (3 Litre V8) specifications and commissioned the famous Milanese coachbuilder Castagna to fit a new coupe body on this chassis, styled after the latest aerodynamic fashion of that time.
Vittorio had meant it to be a racing car, and it took part in one race at least, but it was far more successful as a show car, even back then. It's easy to see why. Lancia Astura S2 230 1933 aerodynamica coupe rebody by Castagna 1934 fr3q.jpg](i.php?/upload/2018/11/15/20181115174451-ad669b39-me.jpg)
Lancia Astura S2 230 1933 aerodynamica coupe rebody by Castagna 1934
2017 Concours d'Elegance Paleis het Loo - Apeldoorn (NL)
This car was deservedly awarded the Best of Show trophy in the Concours. Admittedly the Concours has lost most of its luster in the last few years but even in a high quality event like the 2016 Villa d'Este concours it could hold it's own, being selected as the public's favorite in that event.
The history of this car is somewhat convoluted: it started its life as a second series Lancia Astura Tipo 230 in 1933. In 1934 the car was acquired by Vittorio Mussolini, a son of the notorious Italian dictator. He had the engine upgraded to the new Astura Series 3 (3 Litre V8) specifications and commissioned the famous Milanese coachbuilder Castagna to fit a new coupe body on this chassis, styled after the latest aerodynamic fashion of that time.
Vittorio had meant it to be a racing car, and it took part in one race at least, but it was far more successful as a show car, even back then. It's easy to see why.