1956 Lancia Aurelia Convertible Roadster

In 2007 this 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S America Spyder was brought to the Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $375,000-$450,000. It is powered by a 60-degree V6 engine with overhead valves and is capable of producing nearly 120 horsepower. There is a rear-mounted clutch and a four-speed manual gearbox. Braking is by four-wheel hydraulic drums with inboards at the rear.

As the post-War era progressed, it became evident that Americans were excited about powerful cars built with open coachwork and finished in attractive bodies. Ferrari has proven this concept, and by 1954, Lancia decided to follow suit with their B24S Spider. The 'S' represented Sinistra or 'left' in reference to the left-hand drive chassis. The design was created by Pininfarina featuring a bold grille in Lancia tradition. It had an aggressive hood scoop that concealed the 2.5-liter V6 engine, curvaceous body, and mild wheel flares. There was a wrap-around windshield with removable side glass units and a convertible top that fit snugly.

These elegant and sporty vehicles carried a hefty sticker price, as their semi-custom bodies and a high degree of build quality made them expensive to build. Over a ten-year timeframe, around 5,000 were constructed. Around 159 or so, were the B24S American Spyder. Twenty were lost when the Andrea Doria sank. Few remain in modern times as the steel unit bodies and Italian build practices of the time did little to slow the process of corrosion resistance.

This example was treated to a cosmetic restoration in 1992. During the restoration, the original Weber carburetor was replaced by a period-correct Nardi twin-carburetor conversion setup. It also features Borrani center-lock wire wheels and Nardi steering, completing the Nardi package.

It is finished in the correct dark Navy Blue. The original lug wrench and jack can be found in the trunk.

Very few, if any, Lancia Aurelia B24S America Spyders cross the auction block. They were rare during the years of production, and even more rare in modern times. Their rarity is evident by the estimated value, having a high value of $450,000. Bidding revealed just how rare they are, and complimented the vehicle's excellent restoration, as the high bid quickly surpassed the estimated value. When the gavel struck, the lot had been sold for $550,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2007