1958 Lancia Aurelia Convertible

The Lancia Aurelia, the first car to employ a V6 engine, was launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show. Designed during wartime by Francesco de Virgilio, the 1,754cc 60-degree V6 was of all-aluminum construction and used overhead valves operated via short pushrods instead of Lancia's traditional overhead camshafts. The engine was mounted in a chassis of unitary construction, it retained Lancia's 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension, first seen many years ago on the Lambda, but used a semi-trailing-arm layout at the rear, another world first. Also unusual was the transmission, which was comprised of a two-piece prop-shaft and combined gear/rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes.

The Pinin Farina-styled B20 Coupe followed the B0 saloon a year later. In 1951, the Aurelia engine's displacement increased to 1,991cc and this unit in up-rated form went into the B20. Introduced in 1953, the 3rd and subsequent series B20s were powered by a 2,451cc V6, and this unit was fitted into the B24S Spider launched in 1955, by which time the Aurelia had gained a leaf-sprung De Dion rear axle.

The Lancia Aurelia Spider was intended for sale mainly in the United States, quickly earning the name 'America.' Built on a 2,450 wheels, the B24S was mechanically similar to the 4th Series Aurelia B20, except for different air filters. These were the first Lancia models with left-hand drive as standard ('the 'S' in the type number references 'Sinistra' - left - in Italian).

Production of the Spider America was only in 1955. From 1956, it was succeeded by the more conventional B24S Convertible, mechanically based on the 5th series Aurelia B20.

Although the B24S Convertible looked similar, it was in fact, a total redesign that shared no panels with its predecessor. They had deeper doors with external handles and wind-up windows, flatter windscreen with quarter lights, and one-piece bumpers. It was built on the same short-wheelbase chassis as the Spider and was powered by a slightly less powerful version of the 2,451cc V6 engine. The 110-horsepower unit gave it a top speed of 172 km/h.

This particular Aurelia B24S is largely original. It is finished in grey with red leather upholstery. It was finished on August 30th of 1958. It is believed that this car was purchased new by a father for his son while he attended Harvard University. Ownership was eventually transferred to a large East Coast collector. He acquired it in 1983 and would retain the car for the next 34 years.

This car has the matching numbers for the body, engine, and gear box. It has never been fully restored. It has the original Pelle Rossa upholstery of 1958.

In 2016 it was given $16,000 worth of mechanical service. Prior to the current ownership, it was repainted.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017