1938 Lancia Aprilia Spider “Ala Spessa” by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera

The Lancia Aprilia Spider “Ala Spessa”, built in 1938 by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, was a groundbreaking design for its time. Its nickname, “Ala Spessa” (Thick Wing), came from its fully integrated fenders, a radical departure from the traditional separate wheel arches of the era. This innovation was an early example of the Ponton Style, a design approach that later became standard for modern automobiles.

Built on the advanced Lancia Aprilia chassis, the Ala Spessa combined Touring's Superleggera lightweight construction with Lancia's reputation for engineering excellence. The car not only looked revolutionary but also benefited from superior aerodynamics and structural integrity compared to more conventional designs of the 1930s.