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1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT 2500 Series IV Coupé Coachwork by Carrozzeria Pininfarina Registration no. 5 CMY Chassis no. B20-3271 Engine no. B20-3874· Landmark, Iconic Italian Gran Turismo · Ultra-rare, UK-delivered example · Documented ownership history from new · FCA Classiche certification, FIVA & FIA ID cards · Present ownership since December 2011 · Marque specialist maintained & last serviced 16/8/22 · Offered from a multiple concours-winning, private collectionFootnotesIntroduced in 1907, Vincenzo Lancia's first car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention, that would remain associated with the marque, well into the modern era. Lancia recommenced production after WW2 with the Aprilia and its smaller cousin the Ardea, but waiting in the wings was yet another groundbreaking design: the Aurelia. Lancia's classic Aurelia, the first car ever to employ a V6 engine, was launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show; the result of extensive collaboration between Ghia designer, Felice Mario Boano, Carrozzeria Pininfarina and an engineering team led by the foremost motor engineer of the period, Vittorio Jano, formerly with Alfa Romeo. Designed in wartime by Francesco de Virgilio, the 1,754cc 60-degree V6 was of all-aluminium 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 propshaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle, on which were mounted the inboard brakes. The B10 saloon was joined the following year by the Pininfarina-styled B20 coupé, 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 it was this unit in up-rated form that went into the B20. Lighter and higher geared than the saloon, the B20 was good for a top speed of over 100mph. Stunning the motor racing world, a mildly race-developed B20 driven by Giovanni Bracco finished 2nd in the 1951 Mille Miglia, beaten only by Luigi Villoresi's 4.1-litre works Ferrari! It is worth noting the nimble Aurelia was actually faster than the Ferrari over the mountain passes North of Florence. Thanks to its excellent chassis, lightweight body and torquey V6 engine, the B20 enjoyed competition successes across multiple motorsport disciplines, including the Monte Carlo Rally, Le Mans and the Mille Miglia (where for the Storica event, this car is eligible). Indeed, Formula 1 World Champions Juan Manuel Fangio and Mike Hawthorn both drove Aurelias in period. Introduced in 1953, the 3rd and subsequent series B20s were powered by a 2,451cc, 118bhp version of the pushrod V6, while 4th-series onwards cars had De Dion rear suspension instead of the original semi-trailing-arm arrangement. The Lancia factory publication, The History of Lancia 1906-1989, states that 1,231 2.0-litre B20 GTs were produced (Series I and II) plus a further 1,880 2½-litre cars (Series III to VI). An engineering tour de force clothed in sublime coachwork by Italy's foremost carrozzeria, the Aurelia B20 represents for many the zenith of Lancia's post-war production. In 2020, the prestigious Concorso Italiano(held during Monterey Collectors' Car Week) celebrated the 70th birthday of "one of the most influential car designs in history". This car, 'B20-3271', commenced construction on 23rd July 1954 and was completed on 23rd September that same year. The Pininfarina body ('002303') was first delivered, finished in green with a hazel brown cloth interior and equipped with a Nardi floor change and steering wheel. The B20GT was first registered to Lancia GB of Alperton, Mid