Description
Known for superb engineering and excellent performance the Lancia Aurelia was designed under the supervision of the legendary Vittorio Jano, the mastermind behind the all-conquering Alfa Romeo P2, 6C and 8C of the pre-war years.
Launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show this revolutionary new model was initially available as a four-door saloon, but soon spawned spider and convertible variants.
The Aurelia was a ground-breaking design with a new, all-aluminium V6 engine (the world’s first production V6). Lancia’s famous independent sliding-pillar front suspension was also employed along with independent rear suspension.
The B10 was the first Aurelia saloon and was powered by a 1754cc V6 engine that produced around 56hp. The B10 was replaced with the B21 in 1951 which had a larger 1991cc engine and a power increase to 70hp.
In 1952 the B21 was succeeded by the ultimate Aurelia saloon, the B22. The new model still had a 1991cc engine but a twin-choke Weber carburettor and hot camshaft increased power to 90hp and offered performance comparable to the two-door B20 GT coupe.
According to the original buff logbook on file, chassis B22-1795 was first registered in the UK on the 24th November 1953. The heritage certificate on file confirms the car was delivered new in Beige with an interior trimmed in Panno Nocciola, the same combination the car retains today. The heritage certificate also confirms that its engine (1923) is its original.
The car’s first recorded keeper was a Mrs. Kathleen Faraday of Devon. By January 1956 the Aurelia was in the possession of one Edgar Barnes also of Devon before being acquired in 1957 by Cecil Libovitz, of Cranleigh, Surrey.
As an engineer, Mr. Libovitz found the B22 mechanically interesting and always travelled with a stock of spares. On his passing in 1969, his grandson Paul was given the choice of acquiring his grandfather’s racy B20 GT or the B22 saloon. He chose the latter as it held more of an emotional attachment as he often travelled in the car alongside his grandfather. By 1972 the Aurelia was in need of some TLC so Paul had the car restored before placing the car into long-term storage.
In December 2010 the B22 was sent to Lancia specialists Omicron Engineering to be re-commissioned. The engine was stripped, cleaned and fully rebuilt with new pistons, liners, valves and valve guides. The crankshaft was re-ground and the bearings received new white metal.
The transaxle gearbox was removed and the inboard brakes rebuilt with new cylinders and seals. The front brakes were also rebuilt with new cylinders and hoses. The front suspension and brake fluid reservoir was stripped, cleaned and rebuilt. New cam followers, fan belt, rubber engine mounts, core plugs and top and bottom hoses were also fitted and the fuel pump and carburettor stripped, cleaned and rebuilt. The fuel tank was also drained and flushed. The invoices for this recommissioning work totalled over £15, 000.
In August 2011 Omicron carried out further works including shot-blasting and repainting the road wheels, installation of a new condenser, coil, HT lead connectors and relining the front brake shoes.
An electric fuel pump was fitted to aid starting along with new contact breakers and rotor arm in May 2014.
In April 2023 the Aurelia was purchased by the current owner, a prominent Lancia collector, which concluded sixty-six years of family ownership.
The current owner has since spent over £7, 000 with Omicron to improve the Aurelia further.
This rare and outstanding Aurelia B22 is now offered for sale in excellent condition and comes with a history file containing many invoices and original MOT certificates from the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s that document the remarkably low mileage of 111, 000 miles the car has covered from new.
