Description

Chassis No. B20S.1656

Lancia emerged from World War II determined to pick up right where it had left off, creating sophisticated and technically innovative road cars. Vittorio Jano, one of the most brilliant engineering minds in Grand Prix racing, had been persuaded to fill the sizable hole left by Lancia founder Vincenzo Lancia's death in 1937 and had quietly continued his work during the occupation designing what would become the world's first production V6 engine. The jewel-like, all-aluminum pushrod V6 first appeared at the 1950 Turin Motor Show as the centerpiece of the audacious Lancia Aurelia. Together with Gianni Lancia and Francesco de Virgilio, Jano had created a technical tour de force with the Aurelia, showcasing numerous innovations including unitary chassis construction, Lancia's “sliding pillar” independent front suspension, a rear-mounted transaxle, inboard brakes, and utilizing radial tires.

The Aurelia B10 sedan was succeeded by the stylish Pinin Farina-designed B20 GT coupe, one of the first of the post-war generation of elegant Gran Turismos. This factory left-hand drive Aurelia B20 S GT is significant as the final iteration of the original Gran Turismo. Owing to Lancia's continued commitment to excellence, the Aurelia was developed in progressively more refined batches featuring improved reliability, build quality, and handling. Built in 1957, chassis number 1656 comes from the sixth and final series of production and therefore benefits from all of the various upgrades implemented over the preceding series, including a more robust, split-case transaxle, de Dion rear suspension, a 112 horsepower 2.5-liter V6 engine, along with a more favorable seating position, side vent windows, improved sound insulation, and Jaeger instrumentation.

According to its Lancia Classiche-issued Certificate of Origin, chassis number 1656 was completed on 20 November 1957 as one of just 312 Series VI cars built for the final model year, 1958. Furthermore, this left-hand-drive Aurelia boasts remarkable originality with its current engine and transaxle numbers corresponding with those listed on the Certificate of Origin. The Lancia is understood to have enjoyed long-term Swedish ownership from 1965 until 2012 when it was imported to the United States, where it was formerly part of the respected collection of Californian David Word.

Today, the car is presented in spectacularly restored condition, finished in an attractive dark blue over a two-tone blue leather and grey cloth interior. In addition to its matching numbers engine and transaxle, the car is also said to retain its original steering box, front suspension components, body, trim, fittings, and Jaeger instruments. As the most evolved iteration of the first true GT, 1656 presents a rare opportunity to acquire an exquisitely preserved example of a tremendously influential Lancia.