1953 Lancia Aurelia B52 PF200 Spyder

Lancia was founded in 1906 by Fiat race drivers Vincenzo Lancia and pal Claudio Fogolin. Known for innovation, Lancia pioneered independent suspension at a time when live axles were typically used and offered the first production V-6 in 1950. The Lancia Aurelia design introduced a front engine/rear transmission layout later used successfully by the likes of Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, and Maserati. It also had inboard rear brakes, which reduced un-sprung weight. The Lancia Aurelia was manufactured from 1950 to 1958 under the supervision of Vincenzo Lancia's successor as boss of the Lancia Company, his son Gianni. The Aurelia was powered by Lancia's first V6 engine designed by the young engineer Francesco de Virgilio under the guidance of Vittorio Jano. The Aurelia PF200 prototype coupe takes many of its styling cues from the Lancia Aprilia Pinin Farina Aerodynamica Berlinettas.

In the early 1950s, the jet age was dawning and America was captivated. Italy's leading designers took notice. Pininfarina's founder Battista Pinin Farina created one of this era's more outlandish designs. Named the PF200, it featured a pronounced oval grille-surround that could have come straight off a fighter jet. Underneath was a Lancia Aurelia chassis powered by a 2.0L V-6 sporting hemispherical heads and a single Solex carburetor. It produced between 75 and 90 horsepower depending on tuning level.

In 1952, the Lancia Aurelia B52 PF200 debuted at the Turin Motor Show. Pinin Farina created a total of six PF200 Aurelias show cars, four of which are believed to still exist today. And, no two were exactly the same. This car was the only true roadster designated the PF 200-C and was the show car in the 1953 motor shows of Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt, Torino and still bears the dash plaque from its award-winning display at Stresa, Italy.

The current owner has owned this car since 1968. When it was restored, it underwent a complete nut-and-bolt overhaul, including the necessity to make from scratch several body and floorboard panels as well as the offset air cleaner needed for hood clearance. Interestingly, the transaxle rebuild was done by a mechanic who once worked for the factory back in Turin.