Lancia Aurelia B24 S Convertible
Italian registration Engine n°: B24 1602 - Iconic car, matching numbers - An Italian coachbuilding 'must' - Known history - Restored by Kappa in Italy When the " cavaliere " Carlo Pesenti took control of Lancia at the end of 1955, the celebrated manufacturer was suffering serious financial problems. The company, whose founder Vicenzo Lancia had died in 1937, had always produced original and high quality cars, and Vicenzo's son, Gianni Lancia, surrounded by exceptional engineers such as Vittorio Jano, Vaccanino and Virgilo, knew he had to honour this legacy. However, Gianni Lancia's interest in competition cost the company vast sums of money not repaid with success on the racetrack. So when Max Hoffman, who played a role in the success of the XK 120, the Porsche Speedster and the Mercedes 300 SL, asked Lancia to create a model specifically for the American market, Gianni Lancia was very enthusiastic about the project. This was not to be a road-going version of the sublime D24, but a convertible version of the Gran Turismo coupé which had appeared in 1950 as a four-door car with a six-cylinder engine in a 60° V. This could also be seen as a straight-six with the cylinders staggered in true Lancia tradition. With the cylinder banks spaced out, the valves were inclined in an open V, which improved the performance of the engine. The clutch and gearbox were moved to the rear with the brakes and differential to improve the car's weight distribution. The original 1750cc engine became 2-litres in 1951, then 2.5-litres in 1953. In 1954, the Aurelia was given a Dion rear axle and semi-elliptical leaf springs. It was on this base that Pininfarina was commissioned to build a convertible version. The coachbuilder had already been asked to build the B20 coupé that had been designed by Boano at Ghia who, with more limited means, had been unable to guarantee its production. The prototype was finished mid-1954 and Gianni Lancia, who used it as a company car, declared himself delighted with it, even though it was right-hand drive. The first production car, left-hand drive, was exhibited at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1955. This new Lancia was called the Spider America. Aesthetically, it was a great success with the cockpit positioned exactly in the centre of the car, and a panoramic windscreen that was a nod to its future American clients. The B24 had a shorter wheelbase than the coupé and was slightly lower. The Spider America didn't enjoy the success expected in the US. It arrived too late and was too expensive (the Jaguar XK140 cost $4,500, against $7,000 for the Lancia). In 1956, it was replaced by a convertible with a conventional windscreen, larger doors (the panoramic windscreen had made access difficult in the America), and a more spacious interior. Just 239 examples of the Spider America were built. The convertible did a little better, with 521 cars produced. The Lancia Aurelia B24 Convertible on offer comes from Italy. It has matching numbers and changed hands for the first time in 1985. The second owner commissioned KCA, the renowned Kappa, to restore the car. With 40,000 km on the clock, it was repainted " rosso Italia " to the highest standards, using nitrocellulose paint. The bodywork has been refreshed recently, polished by the workshop that carried out the restoration some thirty years ago. At the same time, the car was given a thorough check, and the gearbox, clutch and brakes were changed. Sublime styling and excellent engineering combined with great exclusivity. This is surely a 'must' from la Dolce Vita ?
Italian registration Engine n°: B24 1602 - Iconic car, matching numbers - An Italian coachbuilding 'must' - Known history - Restored by Kappa in Italy When the " cavaliere " Carlo Pesenti took control of Lancia at the end of 1955, the celebrated manufacturer was suffering serious financial problems. The company, whose founder Vicenzo Lancia had died in 1937, had always produced original and high quality cars, and Vicenzo's son, Gianni Lancia, surrounded by exceptional engineers such as Vittorio Jano, Vaccanino and Virgilo, knew he had to honour this legacy. However, Gianni Lancia's interest in competition cost the company vast sums of money not repaid with success on the racetrack. So when Max Hoffman, who played a role in the success of the XK 120, the Porsche Speedster and the Mercedes 300 SL, asked Lancia to create a model specifically for the American market, Gianni Lancia was very enthusiastic about the project. This was not to be a road-going version of the sublime D24, but a convertible version of the Gran Turismo coupé which had appeared in 1950 as a four-door car with a six-cylinder engine in a 60° V. This could also be seen as a straight-six with the cylinders staggered in true Lancia tradition. With the cylinder banks spaced out, the valves were inclined in an open V, which improved the performance of the engine. The clutch and gearbox were moved to the rear with the brakes and differential to improve the car's weight distribution. The original 1750cc engine became 2-litres in 1951, then 2.5-litres in 1953. In 1954, the Aurelia was given a Dion rear axle and semi-elliptical leaf springs. It was on this base that Pininfarina was commissioned to build a convertible version. The coachbuilder had already been asked to build the B20 coupé that had been designed by Boano at Ghia who, with more limited means, had been unable to guarantee its production. The prototype was finished mid-1954 and Gianni Lancia, who used it as a company car, declared himself delighted with it, even though it was right-hand drive. The first production car, left-hand drive, was exhibited at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1955. This new Lancia was called the Spider America. Aesthetically, it was a great success with the cockpit positioned exactly in the centre of the car, and a panoramic windscreen that was a nod to its future American clients. The B24 had a shorter wheelbase than the coupé and was slightly lower. The Spider America didn't enjoy the success expected in the US. It arrived too late and was too expensive (the Jaguar XK140 cost $4,500, against $7,000 for the Lancia). In 1956, it was replaced by a convertible with a conventional windscreen, larger doors (the panoramic windscreen had made access difficult in the America), and a more spacious interior. Just 239 examples of the Spider America were built. The convertible did a little better, with 521 cars produced. The Lancia Aurelia B24 Convertible on offer comes from Italy. It has matching numbers and changed hands for the first time in 1985. The second owner commissioned KCA, the renowned Kappa, to restore the car. With 40,000 km on the clock, it was repainted " rosso Italia " to the highest standards, using nitrocellulose paint. The bodywork has been refreshed recently, polished by the workshop that carried out the restoration some thirty years ago. At the same time, the car was given a thorough check, and the gearbox, clutch and brakes were changed. Sublime styling and excellent engineering combined with great exclusivity. This is surely a 'must' from la Dolce Vita ?