1936 Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III ‘Tipo Bocca’ by Pinin Farina

The Lancia Astura, which made its debut in 1931, continued the brand’s legacy of innovation, high performance, and superior production quality. Equipped with self-lubricating sliding pillars and Lancia’s renowned narrow-angle V-8, the model boasted an independent front suspension. In 1933, the third-series Astura was introduced with an enlarged engine producing 82 horsepower. For the first time, two wheelbase lengths were offered: the Tipo 233L “Lungo” model with a 131-inch wheelbase, of which 908 were built, and the Tipo 233C “Corto” model on a 122-inch wheelbase, of which 328 were constructed.

Although these chassis were well-engineered, they were frequently outfitted with unadventurous bodywork. Customers who desired something more exclusive turned to coachbuilders. When it came to creating exceptional bodywork on the Astura’s advanced underpinnings, Carrozzeria Pinin Farina and designer Mario Revelli di Beaumont were unrivaled. The style featured on chassis number 33-5301 became known as the “Tipo Bocca,” named after Vittorio Bocca, an important Lancia dealer in northern Italy at the time. Bocca reportedly commissioned several cars in this style, including three on long-wheelbase chassis and three on short-wheelbase chassis.

Source: RM Sotheby’s