1958 Lancia Aurelia Coupe

Vincenzo Lancia's first car was introduced in 1907. It was a unique and different vehicle that displayed a level of thought and defiance of convention. This would be a hallmark of the Lancia automobiles that would remain with the marque well into the modern era. The company would resume production after World War II with the Aprilia and the smaller Ardea. At the 1950 Turin Motor Show, Lancia introduced the Aurelia, the first car ever to employ a V6 engine. It had been designed in wartime by Francesco de Virgilio and fitted with a 1,754cc 60-degree V6 with an all-aluminum construction. It had overhead valves operated by short pushrods instead of Lancia's traditional overhead camshaft configuration.

The Aurelia used a unitary construction design but retained the company's 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension, first seen on the Lambda. In the back was a semi-trailing-arm layout - another world first. An unconventional gearbox with a two-piece prop-shaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes.

The B10 Saloon was joined a year later by the Pinin Farina-styled B20 GT coupe. It had a shortened wheelbase and a fastback 2+2 configuration. The engine had grown to 1,991cc in 1951 and was installed in the B20 GT. With its lightweight design and high gearing, the B20 GT was capable of achieving 100 mph. Its performance capabilities were put on display in 1951 when Giovanni Bracco drove a mildly race-developed B20 GT to a 2nd place finish in the Mille Miglia. Bracco and Umberto Maglioli won the Targa Florio for Lancia in 1952 and in 1954 another B20 won the Monte Carlo Rally.

This particular Lancia Aurelia B20 GT was the 69th to last produced example of the B20 GT. It was delivered as a left-hand drive example and was one of 425 examples produced in the final sixth series production run, built between 1957 and 1958. The sixth series GT Coupes received roll-up windows, better sound-deadening material, and a triangular quarter vent window. Mechanical features included the larger 2.5-liter all-alloy V6 engine and the De Dion rear axle.

This car's early history is not known. It is known to have been owned by California-based collectors in the 1970s. By the 1980s, it was in the car of Mr. Steve Stern of Portola Valley, California. The current caretaker acquired it from Mr. Stern in 1984. By that point, the Lancia had recently received a comprehensive restoration. The purchase was arranged through Bruce Trenery's Emeryville, California-based classic car dealership, Fantasy Junction.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2018