1950 Lancia Aurelia

The Lancia Aurelia was designed by Gianni Lancia and engineer Vittorio Jano, formerly of Alfa Romeo. It is regarded as the first product from Lancia following World War II and one of the first models equipped with a series production V6 engine. Built from 1950 to the summer of 1958, the Lancia Aurelia catered to the 'traditional' and the 'modern,' offering both a unitary construction model and separate 'body on frame' construction. The Aurelia B10 saloon used unitary construction, which meant it had a fully integrated body and frame chassis. This technique is generally lighter and more rigid than a vehicle having a separate body and frame. The traditional body-on-frame construction, used on the Aurelia B50 and B51, was better suited for coachwork by independent coachbuilders.

The name 'Aurelia' continued the company's tradition of naming its vehicles after a Roman road. The 'Via Aurelia' is a road that leads from Rome to Pisa.

The heart of the Aurelia was its Francesco de Virgilio-developed V6 engine which used a 60-degree angle, in-line valves, hemispherical combustion chambers, an all-alloy pushrod, and a single camshaft between the cylinder banks. During its production lifespan, displacement would grow from 1.8 liters to 2.5 liters. The prototype engines had a 1,569cc displacement with a bore of 68mm and a stroke of 72 mm. The four-speed manual transmission was designed integrally with the rear axle, utilized via a column-mounted gear change lever.

In the front was Lancia's own sliding pillar type suspension while the rear used semi-trailing arms, larger replaced by a de Dion tube. Radial tires were standard equipment, earning the Aurelia the distinction of being the first car so equipped. Inboard-mounted drum brakes provided the stopping power.

The Aurelia B50 Pinin Farina Cabriolet was introduced in 1950 at the Turin Auto Show alongside the Aurelia B10 Berlina (sedan). Both models shared the same B10 powertrain, however, the Cabriolet rested on a specially lengthened 114.6-inch wheelbase chassis of the type better suited for coachbuilders. The four-passenger convertible was roomy and comfortable, offering slightly more interior space than the regular production Berlina. The positive reception and popularity for the Cabriolet convinced Lancia to offer it as a special-order model. Each example was hand-built by Pinin Farina and it is believed that a total of 265 examples were built, with no two cars being the same due to their hand-crafted coachwork.

The 'First Series' B10 Berlinas were equipped with a 1754cc version of the V6 engine which offered 56 horsepower. In 1951, displacement grew to 1991cc, and horsepower rose accordingly to 70 hp. These models were known as the B21, with a 2-door B20 GT Coupe appearing later that same year. It had a shorter wheelbase and a Ghia-designed, Pinin Farina-built body, but utilized the same engine as in the B20. In total, approximately 500 examples of these 'first series' Aurelias were built.

The 'Second Series' Aurelia models continued to use the 1991cc version of the engine, but with a higher compression ratio, repositioned valves, and a boost in horsepower to 80 hp. Additionally, they had improved breaks, chromed bumpers replacing the aluminum ones of the earlier cars, a new dashboard with two larger instrument gauges, and suspension modifications. The B22 was introduced in 1952 with a 90-horsepower engine achieved through dual Weber carburetors and a hotter camshaft.

The 'Third Series' Aurelia models arrived in 1953 with a 2,451cc version of the engine and were devoid of the tail fins used on the previous series.

The 'Fourth Series' Aurelia models had a new de Dion tube rear suspension, was the first Aurelias to be offered in left-hand drive, and the first Aurelias imported to the United States in any number. The engine received shell bearings in place of the previous white metal bearings. Between 1954 and 1955, an open body style called the B24 Spider was offered and was similar to the B20 coupe mechanically, but with an 8-inch shorter wheelbase. The stylish B24 Spider had a panoramic front windshield, two-part chrome bumpers, soft top, and removable side screens. The dashboard housed two small dials and one prominent dial. The left-hand drive configuration proved more popular with 181 examples built compared to 59 of the right-hand-drive configuration. An additional 521 examples of 'second series' B24 models were produced in 1956, with styling updates that included a one-part chrome bumper, a wider bonnet air scoop, a dashboard with 2 large dials, fixed quarter lights, no panoramic windscreen, and continued to use the 2,451cc engine (the same as the 'first series' B24).

The 'Fifth Series' Aurelia coupe became more luxurious and was joined by a revised open car called the B24 convertible. Unlike the earlier B24 Spider, it had roll-up windows, a windscreen with vent windows, and a better seating position. Both the B24 convertible and coupe were similar, and both had a different transaxle with a split case, similar to the one used in the later Flaminias. Modifications to the driveshaft reduce vibration, enhancing comfort and enjoyment while traveling down the road.

The 'Sixth Series' Aurelia coupes had vent windows with many wearing a chrome strip down the bonnet (hood). Weight gains were offset by a 112-horsepower engine with an increase in torque. The sixth series B24 convertible had styling similar to the previous series, albeit with minor updates that included the relocation of the fuel tank from behind the seats to into the boot (trunk). The first 150 sixth series cars continued to house the fuel tank behind the seats; those produced thereafter had the fuel tank in the trunk.

The Aurelia continued Lancia's tradition of being innovative and introducing the automotive industry to many 'firsts.'

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2021