A Lancia in the Livery
An Italian Economy Car in a Farm Town
During the warmer months in the Midwest United States, we have a nearby market that peddles an eclectic array of past relics. It is called the Third Sunday Market and as one would guess, occurs every third Sunday for three seasons out of the year. This time around, we did not find much at the market. However, during a slight detour on the way home, we happened upon a very rare sight in our country. This beautiful survivor Lancia Appia.
The little car was parked in front of a restored Livery Stable built in 1905. The bugs plastered across the front of the car hint that this Appia is still trundled along the highways and byways of this rural area.
The patina in the interior suited the car quite well. Much of it seemed original and I found the oriental rug floor mats to be a delightful touch. The air wafting from the slightly cracked side window had that familiar smell of "old."
The Lancia and the Livery were nicely accented with well chosen greenery crowding the sidewalk out front. As with any cool car I see, I wish to seek out the owner for a chat so I can learn more. It looked as though no one was home at the Livery. As I rang the doorbell one final time, I peered through the windows of the shop door. Tucked neatly inside were a Morgan 2+2, a Citroen DS, and a Lancia Fulvia. Sadly, I got no answer at the door.
This Livery was a Pandora's box of esoteric automobilia. Needless to say, I will be going back to make contact with the owner. All of these cars are an incredibly rare sight anywhere in the United States, let alone a tiny farm town in Illinois. It pays to keep your eyes open in a town that can be missed if you blink.
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