1957 Lancia Aurelia

The Aurelia was part of Lancia's lineup for nearly a decade, from 1950 to the summer of 1958, with total production reaching 18,201 units. It was the company's first new postwar model and the first car ever to employ a V6 engine. Like many Lancia models that preceded it, the Aurelia demonstrated an independence of thought and defiance of convention.

Following World War II, Lancia recommenced production with the Aprilia and its smaller cousin, the Ardea, as development progressed on the groundbreaking Aurelia. Introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1950, the Aurelia's engine had been penned during wartime by Francesco de Virgilio and did away with the company's traditional overhead camshafts in favor of overhead valves operated via short pushrods. The all-aluminum 60-degree 1,754cc engine would eventually grow to 2.5 liters during its lifespan, and had a hemispherical combustion chamber and in-line valves. It was installed in a unitary chassis with Lancia's traditional 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension, first seen on the Lambda, but used a novel semi-trailing-arm layout at the rear, another world first. The transmission was an unconventional unit comprising a two-piece prop-shaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes. The Aurelia was also the first car to be fitted with radial tires as standard equipment.

Body styles would include a four-door saloon and a two-door coupe, spider and convertible. Felice Mario Boano at Ghia designed the B20 Coupe and Pininfarina the B24 convertible.

New iterations of the Aurelia were released nearly every year as engineers constantly made adjustments and improvements. The early vehicles were known as the First Series and approximately 500 examples were produced.

Production of the Aurelia began with the B10 Berlina (sedans) and were powered by a 1,754cc V6 engine offering 56 horsepower. The B10 featured coach doors without a central pillar, and, when opened, revealed a roomy interior.

The B21 was introduced in 1951 on a shortened wheelbase and fitted with a larger 1,991cc displacement (72mm x 81.5mm bore/stroke) engine that delivered 75 (gross) horsepower at 4,500 RPM. The B20 GT 2-door coupe was released in 1951 - also on a shorter wheelbase - wearing a Ghia-designed, Pinin Farina-built fastback 2+2 body and powered by the 1991cc engine. It offered a combination of sports car performance and saloon car practicality. Lighter and higher geared than the saloon, the B20 was good for a top speed of over 100mph. A mildly race-developed B20 was driven by Giovanni Bracco to a second-place finish in the 1951 Mille Miglia, beaten (by 13 minutes) only by Luigi Villoresi's 4.1-litre works Ferrari. That year also saw class wins in the 24 Hour Le Mans, Pescara 6 Hours, Coppa D'Oro Delle Dolomiti, and others. An Aurelia also took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the 1952 Targa Florio.

Lancia Aurelia Second Series
The 1,991cc V6 engine powering the Aurelia coupe received repositioned valves and a higher compression ratio, helping to boost output to 80 hp. Modifications were made to the brakes, the aluminum bumpers were replaced with chromed bumpers, and a redesigned dashboard carried two larger instrument gauges.

In 1952, a new B22 Saloon (sedan) arrived with a hotter camshaft and dual Weber carburetors bringing output to 90 hp.

Lancia Aurelia Third Series
The Third Series of 1953 was devoid of tail fins on the rear of the car, and power was supplied by a 2,451cc version of the engine, the same unit powering the Aurelia Spider (B24) that was built in 1954 and 1955.

Lancia Aurelia Fourth Series
The Fourth Series shortened the wheelbase a further 20 centimeters from the GT and included the new de Dion tube suspension. The engine was changed from white metal bearings to shell bearings. Left-hand drive became available and was marked by an 'S,' for sinistra. The B24 Spider was built specifically for the American market with popular features of the time, such as a wraparound panoramic windshield, a bumper split by the shield-like Lancia grille, and it lacked all external handles. Due to its high cost and limited practicality (not suitable for poor weather), just 240 examples were built.

Lancia Aurelia Fifth Series
A luxurious Fifth Series coupe was introduced in 1956, with a revised driveshaft to reduce vibration and a different and more robust transaxle (split case). The open-top B24 Convertible - different from the earlier B24 Spider - had a better seating position, a windscreen with vent windows, and roll-up windows. The mechancial configuration of the B24 COnvertible was similar to the coupe.

Lancia Aurelia Fifth Series
The 1957 Sixth Series received an increase in torque, a decrease in horsepower to 112 hp, added vent windows, and usually a chrome strip down the bonnet. The sixth series B24 convertible was very similar to the fifth series, distinguished mostly by trim and the fuel tank being relocated from behind the seats to the boot. (The first 150 sixth series cars did not get the relocated fuel tank).

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2023