1955 Lancia Aurelia Nardi Blue Ray 1

Blue Ray 1, completed in September 1955, is perhaps the most fantastic creation of Enrico Nardi. It was first shown at the Turin Auto Show and subsequently shown at the Paris and New York Auto Shows. Power is provided by a Lancia Aurelia B20 V6 engine with Nardi tuning updates. The coachwork was designed by Michelotti and constructed by Vignale. All of the coachwork, with the exception of the roof frame but including the floors and inner fenders, is alloy. The roof is made of blue Perspex and is equipped with a grilled air scoop and internal directional vents. Blue Ray 1 was restored in 1989 and first appeared at Pebble Beach that year.

The Blue Ray (translates to Raggio Azzura) shows cars built by Lancia were given their designation after their two-tone paint scheme. The Lancia Aurelia Blue Ray 1 was completed in September 1955, with the second, Blue Ray 2, finished in 1958.

Both Blue Ray cars were the creation of Turin-based Enrico Nardi. They were built atop a Lancia Aurelia chassis and given upgrades by Nardi. The designs were penned by Giovanni Michelotti. Under the bonnet is a Lancia Aurelia B20 engine that displaces 2.5-liters and produces 190 horsepower. The top speed is in the neighborhood of 140 mph. Upgrades to the engine include a cast alloy Nardi air scoop, intake manifold with double throat Weber 40DCZs carburetors, alloy radiator header, and modified camshaft, pistons, and exhaust manifolds. There is a Nardi floor-mounted gear change and an Aurelia B20 transaxle.

The design was by Michelotti, with Vignale performing the construction. The roof is of blue Perspex™ and features an air-scoop with internal directional vents. The side and rear windows are also formed from blue Perspex.

Blue Ray 2 was built on a Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider platform with coachwork designed by Michelotti and constructed by Vignale. It has a 2.5-liter V6 engine that produces 140 horsepower. The wheels are unique, as are many other details of the car. Borrani was commissioned to create the special 68-spoke wheels with knock-off hubs. These special wheels were later offered on the Aurelia Spiders as optional equipment.

Blue Ray 2 has a blue Perspex roof that slides on tracks. When opened, it offers extra ventilation to the passengers.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008