Gianni Lancia

Gianni Lancia (October 16, 1924 in Fobello near Turin - ) is an italian former automobile engineer, industrialist and racing enthusiast, known for running the Lancia carmaker in Torino (1937-55). He was the son of Vincenzo Lancia and Adele Miglietti, and brother of Anna Maria and Eleonora.

After his fathers death (1937), the young Gianni Lancia took over, since 1945 assisted by technical director Vittorio Jano. Lancia's racing enthusiasm brought forward several expensive racing prototypes, which led the company to near-bankruptcy. [ [http://www.velocetoday.com/lifestyle/lifestyle_13.php Valerio Moretti, "La scommessa di Gianni Lancia" (1986),] who claims that Gianni Lancia was central, in an organization that at that time (1951-53) housed famous engineers and drivers such as Alberto Ascari, Felice Bonetto, Juan Fangio, Eugenio Castellotti, Luigi Villoresi, Luigi Fagioli and Piero Taruffi.] This, and the death of Lancia driver Alberto Ascari (May, 1955), caused him and his mother to sell off their shares in the Lancia company to Carlo Pesenti of Italcementi (June 1955). Since then, Gianni Lancia moved to South America a while, returned to France and Italy, and has since barred all interest in motorsports. [ [http://forums.autosport.com/printthread.php?threadid=1095 Alberto Ascari life story] post by Karl Ludvigsen]

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