The 24th of August will mark the 140th anniversary of the birth of one of the most innovative or the early automotive pioneers: Vincenzo Lancia. A genius with numbers and like many of that age with a passion for the nascent horseless carriage, Lancia had worked his way to being the chief inspector and test driver at Fiat by the age of 19. Competitive and skilful, Lancia was invited to race Fiat’s cars as well, earning his first victory in 1900 and a few years later leading the first lap of the first French Grand Prix, a 64.11-mile loop near Le Mans that he covered in 53 minutes and 42 seconds, mighty impressive for 1906.

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