Lot 334: 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spyder

Since it first began producing motor cars, Lancia wasted no time in earning a reputation for original and innovative designs. The Aprilia of the 1930s was a perfect example and when it was finally replaced after the World War Two, its successor the Aurelia continued the trend. Designed by Vittorio Jano, the legendary engineer responsible for a string of highly successful Alfa Romeo Grand Prix cars, it bristled with innovation. Beneath a four door, pillar-less saloon body, the Aurelia sported an all-alloy V6 engine while the four-speed transaxle, complete with in-board brakes and using a column change, ensured good weight distribution. Add to that all independent suspension, via sliding pillars/coil springs at the front and semi-trailing arms at the rear, together with then revolutionary Michelin radial tyres, and fine roadholding and handling were assured. When launched in B10 guise at the 1950 Turin Show, the Aurelia produced 56bhp from 1,756cc. With the B12 of 1951 capacity increased to 1,991cc and power to 70bhp; there was also the B20GT, an attractive 2+2 Pininfarina coupé with shorter wheelbase and 80bhp - arguably the first true GT. The Aurelia then began an illustrious competition career, including Giovanni Bracco's second place in the 1951 Mille Miglia, class wins in the 1951 and '52 Le Mans 24 Hours and a 1-2-3 in the 1952 Targa Florio. For 1952 came the B15 with long wheelbase, wider track and 65bhp, while the normal wheelbase B22 now boasted 90bhp and there were convertible Spyder options. It was the following year that the B20 GT 2500 was launched, an example of which Louis Chiron used to win the 1954 Monte Carlo Rally. Capable of 115mph and 0-60mph in 14 seconds, its 2,451cc engine produced 118bhp and 126lb.ft, whilst rear leaf springs, a de Dion rear axle and floor change also became standard. In 1955 it was joined by the B24 Spyder - or Spyder America as it was also known - again styled by Pininfarina but with an eight inch shorter wheelbase and very pretty open coachwork. Not to be confused with earlier and much more common Spyder models, the B24 was evolved from a concept car and featured a distinctive, unique wrap-around windscreen and quarter-light windows. Weighing 25kg less than the GT 2500, but with the same specification, the rapid and rare B24 Spyder is understandably the most sought after of all Aurelias. Originally supplied to a buyer in America, this superb Lancia has just been the subject of a comprehensive restoration. Presented in its original colour of light grey, together with red leather interior, it comes with EU taxes paid, ASI and FIVA homologation papers and Pennsylvanian registration document. One of a mere 181 B24 Spyders produced, it is offered in excellent condition and represents a truly rare opportunity to acquire arguably one of the finest examples of this stylish Italian convertible currently available.Dieser hervorragende Lancia Aurelia B24 Spyder wurde ursprnglich nach Amerika ausgeliefert und erst k?rzlich einer umfassenden Restaurierung von einem italienischen Spezialisten unterzogen. Nur 181 dieser begehrten Lancia wurden produziert, und dieses Exemplar ist sicherlich eines der besten, die zur Zeit angeboten werden. Lackiert in der hellgrauen Originalfarbe und mit einem kontrastierenden roten Lederinterieur ausgestattet, wird dieser Lancia mit dem amerikanischen Titel aus Pennsylvania sowie italienischen ASI und FIVA Papieren angeboten. B24 Spyder kommen sehr selten auf den Markt und noch seltener in diesem Zustand.