Description
We are delighted to offer this wonderful example of Lancia’s most celebrated and desirable road going sports car, the Aurelia B24 Spider.
With Lancia renowned for their advanced and elaborate engineering, the Aurelia was nothing short of revolutionary at the time of its introduction in 1950.
As Lancia’s first post war model, the Aurelia featured a host of technical innovations which included the world’s first production V6 engine. This entirely new, lightweight and compact design was matched to an equally sophisticated 4-speed transaxle. Further developments continued with the use of in-board drum brakes for the rear together with Lancia’s unique independent ‘sliding-pillar’ suspension helping to provide balance and poise on the road.
Of the six Aurelia variants produced, it is the styling and timeless beauty of the B24 Spider that remains one of the most admired sports cars of all time.
With its shortened chassis based on the B20 GT coupe, styling and coachwork for the B24 Spider was entrusted to the genius of Battista 'Pinin' Farin. Aimed directly towards the sunny states of the US with its low-slung doors, wrap around windscreen and perfectly sculpted proportions, the B24 Spider continues to be regarded by many as Pininfarina’s finest design, pre-dating Ferrari’s California Spider by several years.
Production lasted for just twelve months and throughout 1955, a total of 240 models were produced with just 59 being made in right hand drive specification. Of these 59 examples, chassis 1033 remains in superb condition throughout.
Previously owned by the noted Lancia enthusiast and collector, Dr. Michael Coucher, the current owner brought the car to the UK in 1990 and began a complete mechanical overhaul and recommissioning with the help of leading vintage Lancia specialists Omicron. The extensive and bound history file that accompanies, helps to provide evidence of the extent and quality of work undertaken throughout the past thirty or so years.
Just prior to sale, Dr Coucher was quoted as having said of this example, “There is no question about it. What still amazes me is how advanced they are even now in terms of road-holding, handling and performance, to say nothing of the extraordinary quality”.
Detailed records remain on file and include handwritten correspondence between Dr Coucher and the current owner. Chassis 1033 also features in an article in the latest January edition of Octane Magazine where Robert Coucher drives and recalls with warm memories the car that his late father purchased in 1967.
Complete with matching numbers, this historically important Aurelia B24 Spider remains in fantastic condition and eligible for world class events.
Please enquire for further details and information.
