Introduced in 1907, the Vincenzo Lancia’s first car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention that would remain associated with the marque well into the modern era. Lancia recommenced production after WW2 with the Aprilia and its smaller cousin the Ardea, but waiting in the wings was yet another groundbreaking design: the Aurelia. Lancia’s classic Aurelia, the first car ever to employ a V6 engine, was launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show. Designed in wartime by Francesco de Virgilio, the 1,754cc 60-degree V6 was of all-aluminium construction and used overhead valves operated via short pushrods instead of Lancia’s traditional overhead camshafts. An advanced unitary-construction design, the Aurelia retained Lancia’s ‘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 too, was unusual, comprising a two-piece prop-shaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes, though for once this was not an entirely new departure.

The B10 saloon was joined the following year by the Pinin Farina-styled B20 Coupé, a fastback ‘2+2’ on a shortened wheelbase which, with its combination of sportscar performance and saloon car practicality, can be said to have introduced the Gran Turismo concept to the world. The Aurelia engine had been increased to 1,991cc in 1951 and it was this unit in up-rated form that went into the B20. Lighter and higher geared than the saloon, the B20 was good for a top speed of over 100mph. Introduced in 1953, the 3rd and subsequent series B20s were powered by a 2,451cc, 118bhp version of the pushrod V6, while 4th-series onwards cars had De Dion rear suspension instead of the original semi-trailing-arm arrangement. An engineering tour de force clothed in sublime coachwork by Italy’s foremost carrozzeria, the Aurelia B20 represents for many the zenith of Lancia’s post-war production.

This Aurelia B20 was sold new in Italy and raced in the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio in 1954, and the Rallye des Alpes in 1955 as recorded in its accompanying FIA papers. The car remained in the hands of a Mr Giacomelli in Brescia until 1987, and in 2000 was sold to a Mr Bozzano and restored by marque specialist Salvetti. In February 2004 the Aurelia passed into the vendor’s hands and the original engine was removed and replaced by another B20 unit (fitted with a Nardi kit) for use in historic rallies; with this purpose in mind, the braking system has been up-rated with discs at the front. The car comes with its original engine, bumpers and brakes, and is presented in excellent running condition, ready for historic rallying. It is offered with ASI papers, FIVA Passport, French Carte Grise, Contrôle Technique and restoration invoices totalling 60,000 euros.




Cette Aurelia B20 vendue neuve en Italie courut la Mille Miglia et la Targa Florio en 1954 et le Rallye des Alpes en 1955 comme le montrent ses papiers FIA. La voiture restée propriété de M. Giacomelli de Brescia jusqu’en 1987 fut vendue en 2000 à M. Bozzano et restaurée par le spécialiste de la marque Salvetti. En février 2004, l’Aurelia passa aux mains du vendeur et le moteur d’origine fut déposé et remplacé par un autre groupe B20 (équipé d’un kit Nardi) pour disputer les rallyes historiques. Dans cette optique, le système de freinage fut amélioré avec montage de disques à l’avant. La voiture sera egalement livrée avec son moteur d’origine, ses pare-chocs et ses freins d’origine. Elle est en excellent état de fonctionnement, prête à disputer des épreuves historiques. Elle est offerte avec ses papiers FIA, son passeport FIVA, sa carte grise et son contrôle technique français et des factures de restauration qui s’élèvent au total à 60 000 euros.

Rare opportunite d’acquerir une B20 avce palmares aussi prestigieux.