Lancia

The Lancia Ardea was produced between 1939 and 1953. Its unusually short bonnet reportedly contained the smallest V4 engine ever commercialized in a small family car. The Ardea was basically a downsized version of the Aprillia, similar in layout, but simpler in design, with a solid rear axle and no trunk opening. While most post-war continental European cars were left-hand drive, intended for driving on the right, the Ardea was a right-hand drive car. It allows a better view of the edge of the road, which is useful when driving on rough roads in mountainous districts. In 1948 the the third series Ardea was introduced; it was the first mass-produced car with a 5-speed manual transmission. Approximately 32,000 units of the Ardea had been built when it was replaced by the Appia in 1953.