Description
The Lancia Aurelia is a car that was produced and sold by the Italian company Lancia from 1950 until the summer of 1958, spread over six series. The variations included a four-door saloon, a two-door cabriolet (B50/ B52), a two-door GT coupé (B20), a two-door spider/ cabriolet (B24) and a rolling chassis for coachbuilders. The Aurelia is known for using one of the first V6 engines to be produced in series.
As a continuation of a post-war Lancia tradition, the car was named after a Roman road: the Via Aurelia, which runs from Rome to Pisa.
At the rear there was an innovative combined transaxle that integrated the gearbox, clutch and differential, and internal drum brakes. The front suspension was a sliding pillar arrangement, with the semi-trailing arms at the rear in the fourth series replaced by a De Dion axle. The Aurelia was also the first car to be equipped as standard with radials.
First series
In 1951 a two-door B20 GT coupé appeared. It had a shorter wheelbase and a body designed by Ghia and built by Pinin Farina. The same 1991 cc engine delivered 75 bhp (56 kW) in the B20.
Second series
The second series Aurelia coupé increased power to 80 bhp (60 kW) from the 1991 cc V6 with a higher compression ratio and moved valves.
Third series
The third series appeared in 1953 with a larger 2451 cc version of the engine. The rear of the car lost the tail fins of the previous series.
Fourth series
The fourth series introduced the new De Dion rear suspension. The engine was fitted with new bearings instead of white-metal bearings.
Fifth series
The fifth series coupé, which appeared in 1956, was more luxurious. It had a different transaxle (split housing), which was tougher and resembled that of the later Flaminia models. The drive shaft was also revised to reduce vibrations.
Sixth series
The power of the sixth series from 1957 dropped to 112 bhp (84 kW), with increased torque to compensate for the higher weight of the later models. The sixth series coupés featured ventilation slits and usually a chromed moulding over the bonnet. They were the most track-focused within the B20 series.
The Aurelia presented here is a sixth-series example. It is finished in black with a beige fabric interior. Currently it has Recaro leather seats installed, but the originals are included. The car has also been fully restored and is a Matching Numbers car with everything in order. It is equipped with steering gear shift and looks nearly new. It is also worth noting that this Lancia has belonged to the Rothschild family. For the discerning Lancia Aurelia enthusiast who is seeking a perfectly running car.
The specifications of this car are:
Previous owner: Rothschild family
Colour: Black
Matching numbers and leather interior.
Fitted with modern Recaro leather seats (the originals are with the car).
Tubeless 15-inch rims with tubeless tyres including the correct pitch/ centre/ offset sizes.
The engine was fully rebuilt around 15 years ago. Since then the car has covered very few miles.
The brakes were rebuilt 4 years ago.
There is an AC dynamo fitted in the original model.
Stainless steel exhaust system fitted.
