What always surprises me is that the early Lancias are so conventional, with a straightforward chassis, live axles and a four-cylinder side-valve engine. From the Alfa in 1907 to the Dikappa of 1921 Lancia made well-built but not particularly innovative cars. In 1919 came a detachable cylinder head for the Kappa while overhead valves came in 1921 on the Dikappa. The 1913 Theta on the other hand was one of the first European cars with full electrical equipment.

It was probably wise to start with conventional, well-made cars and build a reputation. A new make with exotic technology only scares potential customers away.

In 1919 Lancia history becomes really interesting: a prototype was presented with a V12 engine with an included angle between the two cylinder banks of only 22?. This feature made it possible to use a single cylinder head and the engine was barely longer or wider than a six in line! This “narrow-V” engine became a unique feature of Lancia, and engines of this design have continuously been built from the V8 Trikappa of 1919 to the last Fulvia V4 built in 1976. Complex castings are necessary and to this day Volkswagen is the only other manufacturer that has produced a narrow-V engine, the VR6 introduced in 1991.