Beschreibung:

2,451cc OHV V-6 Engine Single Twin-choke Weber Carburetor 110bhp at 5,100rpm 4-Speed Manual Transaxle with Clutch In Unit 4-Wheel Independent Suspension 4-Wheel Drum Brakes, Rear Brakes Inboard *Rare Italian collectible *Never restored, largely original, matching numbers *Sophisticated Lancia mechanics with Pinin Farina styling *Owned by celebrated Lancia collector for 34 years The Lancia Aurelia B24 The B24S represents the ultimate development of one of the most influential designs to emerge from Italy post-WW2: the classic Aurelia. First car ever to employ a V6 engine, the Aurelia was launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show. Designed in wartime by Francesco de Virgilio, the 1,754cc 60-degree V6 was of all-aluminum construction and used overhead valves operated via short pushrods instead of Lancia's traditional overhead-camshafts. An advanced unitary-construction design, the Aurelia retained Lancia's 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension, first seen on the Lambda, but used a novel semi-trailing-arm layout at the rear, another world first. The transmission too, was unusual, comprising a two-piece prop-shaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes, though for once this was not an entirely new departure. The B10 saloon was joined the following year by the landmark, Pinin Farina-styled B20 Coupe, a fastback '2+2' on a shortened wheelbase which, with its combination of sports car performance and saloon car practicality, can be said to have introduced the Gran Turismo concept to the world. The Aurelia engine had been increased to 1,991cc in 1951 and this unit in up-rated form went into the B20. Introduced in 1953, the 3rd and subsequent series B20s were powered by a 2,451cc, 118bhp version of the pushrod V6, and this unit was adopted for the B24S Spider launched in 1955, by which time the Aurelia had gained a leaf-sprung De Dion rear axle. The Lancia Aurelia Spider was clearly inspired by the Pinin Farina's open Ferraris. As the Spider was intended for sale mainly in the USA, and with its wraparound windscreen of American inspiration, it was quickly dubbed 'America'. Built on a 2,450mm wheelbase, the B24S was mechanically similar to the 4th Series Aurelia B20, except for different air filters. All models had a floor gearchange and it was the first Lancia with left-hand drive as standard (the 'S' in the type number meaning 'Sinistra' - left - in Italian). The Spider America was only produced in 1955. From 1956, it was succeeded by the more conventional B24S Convertible, mechanically based on the 5th series Aurelia B20. Again, the work of Pinin Farina, the B24S Convertible looked superficially very similar but in fact was a total redesign that shared no panels with its predecessor. Easily recognizable differences were many: deeper doors with external handles and wind-up windows, flatter windscreen with quarter-lights, and one-piece bumpers, to name but three. There was also, of course, a proper convertible hood providing decent weather protection. The B24S Convertible was built on the same short-wheelbase chassis as the Spider and used a slightly less powerful version of the 2,451cc V6 engine producing 110bhp. Top speed was also marginally reduced, to 172km/h. The Motorcar Offered Super rare, and desperately sought after by discerning Italian sports car collectors, Lancia Aurelias are few and far between – those that do exist are, for the most part, fully restored. This Aurelia B24S is largely original and for a car over 60 years old – it is in exceptional condition. Dressed in grey with red leather upholstery, the car was finished on August 30, 1958. According to research by the previous owner, it appears that this example was purchased new by a proud father for his son while he attended Harvard University. Ownership was eventually transferred to a large East Coast collector who specialized in Lancias and purchased his first car – an Appia Zagato - straight off the showroom floor in Italy a