Chassis No. B24S–1150
Engine No. B24–1205

The arrival of the Lancia Aurelia in 1950 marked not only a postwar rebirth for the storied Italian marque but also an engineering marvel that sent shockwaves through the industry. Debuting in B10 Berlina form at the 1950 Turin Motor Show, it was the first all-new Lancia of the era and a powerful statement of the marque's renewed ambition. Under Vittorio Jano's direction, the Aurelia introduced innovations that became hallmarks of the model line: the earliest production V6 engine developed by Francesco de Virgilio, a rear-mounted transaxle, independent suspension, and inboard rear brakes. The Aurelia quickly proved its merit in competition, capturing a 2.0-liter class win at the 1951 Mille Miglia and finishing second overall, with further class victories at Le Mans, the Targa Florio, and the Coppa della Toscana cementing its "giant killer" reputation.

Enthusiasm for an open Aurelia culminated in January 1955 at the Brussels Motor Show with the debut of the B24 Spider. This irresistibly elegant two-seater became the most coveted expression of the series. Riding on a 2,451-mm wheelbase, some 210-mm shorter than the already compact Aurelia, the Spider carried forward all of the Series IV mechanical sophistication, including sliding-pillar front suspension, a de Dion rear axle with inboard brakes, and the enlarged 2.5-liter V6 producing 118 CV. Inspired in name and spirit by Lancia's victorious D24 sports racer, the Spider wore exquisite Pinin Farina coachwork, defined by a long tapering hood with bold air intake, a sweeping wraparound windscreen, sculpted doors, and a sharply pitched tail. This unmistakably Italian silhouette distilled the Aurelia's engineering brilliance into a timeless open-air form.

Across just two model years, only 240 examples of the effortless elegant Spider were produced. This particular example was initially destined for the sports-car-hungry U.S. market, finished in a sophisticated Beige over a Black leather interior. The car is believed to have been sold new in Texas, which is where it was discovered in Corpus Christi in 1988, having been removed from the road for several years due to a broken windshield.

Between the dry climate and the reported low 30,200 miles at the time of discovery, the delicate Pinin Farina Spider was preserved as the ideal candidate for a complete restoration. The Lancia was brought back across the Atlantic to its home country with its new caretaker, where the car was delivered to Giancarlo Cappa and his team of experts at KCA Restauro Auto d'Epoca of Cassina de Pecchi, near Milan, for a detailed restoration. Cappa's son reports that the car showed no signs of previous body repairs when the handcrafted steel bodywork was stripped to bare metal before it was refinished in Black. Inside, the interior was trimmed with fresh Red leather. The restoration also included the fitment of Borrani wire wheels and a seldom-seen color-matched Fontana hardtop.

Following the completion of its exquisite restoration, the Spider was purchased by a collector in Monaco. Under their care, the car was recorded by the Registro Lancia in 1992 as retaining its original numbers-matching engine and was issued its Certificato d'Identità which still accompanies the car today. The car remained in Monte Carlo until 2000 when it was acquired by the brother of the current owner. The pair enjoyed using the car on at least three Italia Classica rallies and in 2012 during the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti in Cortina d'Ampezzo. As part of the requirements to enter the Coppa d'Oro, the car was issued a FIVA Identity Card in 2012.

In the 30-plus years since its restoration, the Spider's black paintwork and red leather interior show a character that speaks to thoughtful stewardship and patina consistent with careful use. Today the Spyder's odometer reveals 27,000 miles, a total believed accumulated since the competition of its restoration. Whether found on the Mille Miglia Storica, the lawn at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, or as a distinctly special classic that rewards regular use, the Aurelia B24 S Spider is the definitive Italian Spider of its era. Versatile, engaging, and inherently elegant, the B24S Spider America remains one of the most compelling ways to experience Italian open-air motoring at its finest.