1955 Lancia Aurelia

Sold for $1,100,000 at 2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction.
Sold for $1,100,000 at 2017 Worldwide Auctioneers : Scottsdale, AZ.
The Lancia Company was founded in November of 1906 by Italian racer Vincenzo Lancia. The heritage of Lancia S.p.A. is built upon advanced engineering, industry-leading styling, sophistication, excellent, and race-winning performance. The Aurelia was Lancia's first new postwar model. It was designed by Gianni Lancia, Vincenzo's son, and engineer Vittorio Jano. The Aurelia was the world's first series-production automobile ever to be powered by a V-6 engine design.

The sophisticated engine design was inspired by Francesco de Virgilio and was built as an all-alloy unit with pushrod-actuated overhead valves and efficient hemispherical combustion chambers.

The Aurelia boasted a near perfect weight distribution afforded by its rear-mounted transaxle.

The racing pedigree, the Aurelia B20 GT earned an outstanding victory tally throughout its racing career in period. Just three days after its release for sale, the B20 GT won the demanding Giro di Sicilia, translated as the 'Lap around Sicily.' It then swept the GT 2.0 class at the XVIII Mille Miglia in April of 1951, followed by first in the S2.0 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12th overall. Other notable victories included the 1952 Targa Florio, the 1953 Liege-Rome-Liege Rally, a podium sweep at the 1953 Carrera Panamericana, and a win at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1954.

During the production lifespan of the Aurelia, it was continuously developed and improved along six distinct series. Two sizes of the V-6 engine were offered, initially displacing 1,991 cc (1951-53) and from Series 3 through the final Series 6 generation, 2,451 cc and 118 horsepower (1953-58). By 1954 and Series 4, the Pininfarina-designed B24 Spider, also named 'America', was introduced. It was built upon a shortened version of the B20 chassis with a 96.5-inch wheelbase length and featured a floor-mounted gear change lever as standard fitment. In the front was Lancia's signature grille element, airfoil-style split front bumpers, a low-profile hood scoop. From there, Pininfarina designed flowing bodylines, a wraparound windscreen, and windowless doors.

Production continued through 1956 with just 240 built in all before the introduction of the revised B24 Convertible which arrived in 1957-1958 with 510 produced. Of the 240 first-generation Aurelia B24 Spiders manufactured during their brief production run, 181 were built and delivered new in left-hand drive 'S' configuration - meaning sinistra, Italian for 'left'.

This particular example is one of the 181 LHD cars. It entered production on October 19th of 1955 and was tested at the factory on November 7th of that year. It was recorded as being completed on November 9, 1955 and delivered new that day to its Italian home market in the unusual original color combination of Grigio (grey) over Pelle Verde (green leather) upholstery. Its first recorded owner was Dario Fasano of Torino, and remained with him for more than 30 years in Italy. The Spider passed to its second owner Alberto Garnerone, also of Torino, in October 1987.

This car is currently finished in black over tan leather livery. It was given a restoration by Lancia restorers KCA of Milan prior to being acquired by its second caretaker. It is believed to have covered around 2,000 kilometers since the work was completed. The Spider has a hardtop and rides on wire-spoke wheels with new Michelin tires.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017