DECEMBER 1989

In the early days of December 1989, STOLA s.p.a was already involved in the construction of the Master Model for the future Lancia sedan type 838 which will later be called Kappa.
From the beginning of 1989 the engineering content (bodywork, exterior finishes and complete interior) was being realised by Autec.
In November of that year Stola acquired 70% of their share capital, taking control of the company.
For the Stola family this was the first production car project with work being split between the Autec offices in Cinisello Balsamo and Turin, and the Stola facility in Grugliasco.

Typical plan and sections of the Lancia type 838

Summary diagram of the Lancia type 838 project

The Autec and Stola Technical Directors were Engineer Antonio Gaburri and Gottardo Bustreo and the Project Manager was Piero De Micheli.
Their contacts in Fiat Auto for the three year duration were Engineers Camuffo, Vinante, Battistini, Villa and Filippa, who organised weekly meetings at the Palazzina di Mirafiori, section 5, entrance 8.
Design work was carried on a drafting machine which was then translated to the Computer Vision system recently purchased in accordance with the clients requirements. Roberto Arpini and Giovanni Galimberti, coordinated by Franco Rabaioli, were the Autec project leaders.
To enable the monthly invoicing of Fiat Auto, Dr. Carlo Biassoni paid great attention to the contract inherited from the recently acquired company.
The customer’s design objectives, compared to the current Lancia Thema, included the improvement of tolerances, an increase in interior space and, through the improvement and increase in the number of seals, better acoustic comfort.
Project table in which it is highlighted that the design
is by Autec.
Roberto Stola, who for years saw the engineering of the mass-produced car as a fundamental objective for the future of Stola, followed this project with great passion.
The Lancia Kappa went on sale to the public in 1994, replacing the Thema.

Between 1991 and 1993, STOLA s.p.a. and the subsidiary Autec develop the design of the body and exterior finishes of the Lancia Kappa for Fiat Auto.

Between 1991 and 1993, STOLA s.p.a. and the subsidiary Autec develop the design of the interior finishes
of the Lancia Kappa for Fiat Auto.