1956 Lancia Aurelia B24

Hailed by many as the first to produce a grand touring automobile, Lancia would introduce the B20 Aurelia GT designed by the renowned Vittorio Jano in 1950. It was a sporting version of the Aurelia Saloon styled by Pininfarina offering a motorcar suitable for both daily use and competitive motorsports. A near-stock model finished second to Ferrari in the 1951 Mille Miglia and full factory-prepped race cars scored 1-2 in class and 6th and 8th overall at Lemans in 1952. That same year, a B20 Aurelia won the Targa Florio, and came in 3rd and 5th at the Mille Miglia. A stellar rally car, it went on to win the Liege-Rome-Liege in 1953 and the famed Monte Carlo in 1954.

Despite these successes, Lancia was little known in America in the 1950's as the innovative Italian automaker had been out of the United States market since the 1920's. But World War II devastation bred postwar determination, and Lancia returned in 1956 seeking valuable U.S. dollars with its handsome Aurelia Spyder upgraded to B24 specs; most notable for its pioneering overhead valve 60-degree V-6 engine with 4-speed rear-mounted transaxle and costly, but effective, sliding pillar front suspension. The two-seater saw just 650 copies of which just 86 were built for U.S. sale. Behind the distinctive Lancia grille was a cabriolet body masterfully styled by Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina while offering performance that challenged the Maseratis and Ferraris of the era.