1954 Lancia Aurelia B20GT
The Lancia Aurelia is a car produced by Italian manufacturer Lancia from 1950 to the summer of 1958. It is noted for using one of the first series-production V6 engines. Several body styles were offered: 4-door saloon, 2-door GT coupé (B20), 2-door spider/convertible (B24), and a chassis to be custom bodied by external coachbuilders.
Establishing a post-war Lancia tradition, the car was named after a Roman road: the Via Aurelia, leading from Rome to Pisa.
This 1954 Lancia Aurelia B20GT is a RHD example that is finished in Blu Mediterraneo over a grey cloth interior and was first registered in Italy. Power is provided by a 60° 2.5-liter alloy V6 paired to a 4-speed manual transaxle, and the car features a number of period Nardi performance components, including an intake with dual Webers, a floor shift conversion, steering wheel, engine cooling upgrades, and more.
The all-aluminum 2,451cc pushrod V6 has been fitted with a Nardi performance package, consisting of dual 40mm Webers, intake scoop, and the necessary intake and cooling manifolds. An Aurelia Scintilla Vertex magneto is utilized. Internally, the cylinder heads have been ported and polished and a set of higher compression pistons fitted along with a Nardi-spec camshaft, stiffer valve springs, balanced crankshaft, and a lightened flywheel.
1954 was the first year of the Series IV B20, which saw the introduction of de Dion rear suspension. Other period features include an original Nardi bonnet scoop and lightened B20 steel wheels with no covers. Since the restoration was completed, the car has gone on to participate in a number of historic events in Europe and the US.
This right-hand drive example is upholstered with grey cloth and blue leather and features a specially-cushioned driver’s seat for additional support. In stock form, the 4-speed manual transaxle would have been shifted on the steering column, though a Nardi floor shift conversion was added in-period.
Instrumentation is provided by a pair of Jaeger gauges housed in the two-tone dash.
The Lancia B20 Aurelia has a lauded reputation characterised by outstanding engineering, performance and design beauty. As quoted from Motor Magazine, “was one of the genuine masterpieces in the history of automotive design”.
