Just over a year ago Italian design firm Zagato announced it was embarking on the monumental task of reconstructing a nearly 70 year old car from nothing more than two faded monochrome photographs. Every effort was made to ensure the reproductions would be authentic to the original design, and the stunning car that resulted is now available - but production will be extremely limited.

Only nine of the recreated Zagato Lancia Aprilia Sport will be built, and the price is tipped to start at €150,000. Of course, demand and exclusivity have a way of driving such numbers even higher, so expect to pay for the privilege of driving one. But what a privilege it would be - hand-beaten body panels, timeless lines and the open top to revel in the sights and sounds of the road. The new car is powered by a 48hp Aprilia VR-4 motor that generates maximum power at 4,300rpm. Top speed is pegged at 126km/h - but with the open top and tiny windscreens it’s sure to feel like more from the cockpit.

Although such numbers are modest, even anemic, by today’s standards, the classic aeronautic design cues and visceral open-road feel - not outright performance - are the reasons people are so drawn to the car. Only three or four examples of the original Sport were built, and unfortunately all have been lost over the ensuing seven decades. The first example of the nine to be recreated is pictured below.

Zagato rebuilds 1930’s Lancia Aprilla Sport from photos

Via: Autoblog.nl