Saturday 18th January 1908

The first production Lancia, the 12HP Alpha was unveiled at the Turin Motor Show. Originally, it bore the name “type 51” but for marketing reasons it was changed to Alpha, the name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet. It was available as a straight chassis and bodied in a variety of styles from closed landaulets (limousine-style) to sporting two-seater Corsas. Only about 100 models were made, but there were also some especially made for racing. The first Lancia cars were famed for their lightness and efficient engineering.