In 1953 Lancia launched the Lancia Appia, named after the Roman Road 'Via Appia', and it replaced the Lancia Ardrea. Gianni Lancia designed the 4-door pillarless saloon body, and gave it a 1091cc V4 engine driving the rear wheels. The body was monocoque design, but Lancia also produced some special chassis which were used by the Carrozzeria Pininfarina, Vignale and Zagato. The Series I body was a 'beetle-back' design alike to the bigger Aurelia, but in 1956 the bigger Series II was launched with a booted body, and in 1959 this was modernised with lower bonnet and rectangular grille. In 1963 the Appia was replaced by the front wheel drive Fulvia. Carrozzeria Vignale built cabriolet versions to the design by Giovanni Michelotti and these were launched at the Geneva Salon in 1957. Series II convertibles from 1957-59 were given a bonnet intake, and a changed waistline and extra 2 rear seats. Power went up again for the Series III cabriolets to 54bhp.