With its monocoque body, four-wheel brakes, independent front suspension and V4 overhead camshaft engine many enthusiasts view the Lancia Lambda as one of the great automobiles of all time. With a conventional pedal layout and H-pattern gear selection the Lambda also set the automotive template for years to come.

 

The Lambda was also successful in competition with privately entered cars finishing fourth and fifth behind the works OMs in the first Mille Miglia of 1927.

 

The Lambda was continually developed through nine series of cars with the 8th and 9th series receiving a larger 2570cc engine and four-speed gearbox.

 

The original UK ‘buff’ logbook on file confirms chassis 21627 was first registered RM 6582 on the 2nd December 1929 and was bought new by Sir Gerald G. Ley Bart.

 

Colin Adamson of London purchased the Lambda from Sir Gerald in 1954 with 60,000 miles showing on the odometer. Shortly after purchase he had the Lambda repainted as a training project by the Queen Elizabeth Training College for the disabled in Leatherhead, Surrey.

 

During his tenure Colin exchanged the car’s original engine and gearbox for good rebuilt examples from his other Lambdas.

 

Interestingly, the car featured on the front cover of Profile Publications magazine No. 44 printed in 1967 and was also illustrated in front, side, rear and overhead views inside.

The car was repainted once more in August 1968 and at the same time the brightwork was rechromed, the hood and sidescreens recovered and a new tonneau fabricated.

 

Colin sold the car in 1973 to Penelope Tubbs, wife of motoring journalist Douglas Burnell ‘Bunny’ Tubbs. Bunny Tubbs was editor of ‘The Motor’ magazine from the early 1940s to 1963 and wrote multiple motoring books.

 

The current owner purchased the Lambda from Penny in January 1996 and immediately engaged The Leather Conservation Centre in Northampton to restore, repair and preserve the car’s original leather interior.

 

Graham Millard of Stroud has maintained the car since 2011 when the brakes were rebuilt. Millard rebuilt the rear springs and shock absorbers in 2015 and in July 2022 carried out a general check over and attended to whatever minor works were required including replacement of all fluids. In January 2024 Millard stripped and rebuilt the carburettor with new float and needle and fitted new spark plugs.

 

This remarkably original Lambda has had only four owners from new and is believed to have covered a genuine 107,631 miles from new. We feel the car is a suitable candidate for a preservation approach and will some mechanical attention to the engine.

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