1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America

Lot details
Registration No: EU-Reg
Chassis No: B24-1047
Mot Expiry: Sept 2009

Arguably one of the world's most beautiful cars, the Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America made its debut at the January 1955 Brussels Motor Show. Taking full advantage of the fact his carrozzeria had been commissioned to not only shape but also build the two-seater sportscar, Battista 'Pinin' Farina came up with a design that prioritised style over mere production sensibilities. A riot of sensuous curves and exquisite detailing from its shield-like radiator grille, delicately accented bonnet scoop and dipping waistline through to its shallow doors, flared wheelarches and upturned quarter bumpers, the newcomer was a masterclass in roadster chic. Wonderfully impractical, the Spider America did without any external catches or handles, while the reverse rake of its trademark panoramic windscreen precluded the fitting of wind-up windows. Disappearing hood aside, the interior was comparatively restrained sporting a painted dashboard with narrow rolled fabric top edge, wood-rimmed steering wheel, generously upholstered seats and elegant Veglia instrumentation.

Taking overall responsibility for the Aurelia project was Vittorio Jano. Head of Lancia's 'Reparto Esperienze' since 1937, the legendary engineer ensured that even in its humblest B10 saloon guise his charge could boast a sophisticated four-speed transaxle, responsive worm and sector steering, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes (mounted inboard at the rear) and all-round independent suspension (sliding-pillar front / semi-trailing arm rear). With great consideration given to matters such as unsprung mass, weight distribution and wheel articulation, it was little wonder that the Aurelia handled and rode so well. Introduced in 1951, the B20 GT model achieved class wins on the Mille Miglia, Carrera Panamericana and at Le Mans not to mention scoring outright victory on the Targa Florio. Evolving through six series, the handsome fixed-head coupe donated a shortened version of its platform to the Spider America (2450mm wheelbase vs. 2650mm wheelbase).

Developed in parallel, the B20 Series IV and B24 utilised the same strengthened De Dion tube rear suspension and 2451cc V6 engine. The work of Francesco De Virgilio and Ettore Zaccone-Mina, the engine featured an alloy block / cylinder heads, pushrod-operated overhead valve gear, full-pressure lubrication and optimal 60-degree Vee angle. Benefiting from the adoption of shell bearings and fed by a downdraught Weber carburettor, the compact unit was credited with some 118bhp and 127lbft of torque. Light and agile to drive, the super-stylish roadster tipped the scales at a mere 1,070kg. Reputedly capable of 185km/h (114mph) in standard tune, some were competition prepared; Bernando Ferrari contesting the 1956 Mille Miglia and 'Ermete' the 1956 Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti etc. Sharing not a single body panel with its Lancia Aurelia B24 Convertible successor (the younger machine also being 'watered down' via a more conventional windscreen and full-width bumpers), the B24 Spider America was only available for a single season. Prohibitively expensive to manufacture, just 240 rolled off the production line. The 181 left-hand drive cars were differentiated from their 59 right-hand drive counterparts by "B24S" chassis numbers (the "S" for "Sinistra", the Italian word for Left). A thoroughbred design both in terms of its aesthetics and mechanical specification, the Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America has long been a motoring icon.

Finished in red with tan upholstery and a black hood, this particular right-hand drive example - chassis number B24-1047 - was supplied new to an Italian dealer on July 7, 1955. Resident in Italy ever since (barring the past few months), its first owner harboured Mille Miglia aspirations. As a result, the Lancia was fitted with auxiliary headlights and submitted to various high speed nocturnal practice runs. However, when one such outing ended in Milan's Naviglio Grande Canal, the idea of using the Spider America for competition soon evaporated. Fortunately, the car was fished out with relative ease, the only thing to suffer any lasting damage being the driver's pride. Remaining with its initial keeper's family until the late 1990s, the Aurelia then passed to the Florentine collector, Fausto Cammarata. Something of a perfectionist, he had the highly original but somewhat careworn two-seater stripped apart, taken back to bare metal and restored from the 'ground up' by Fabrizio Pandolfi and Duilio Barcali. Entrusted with the cosmetics and mechanics respectively, the duo finished work in time for the Spider America to grace the pages of Routeclassiche magazine's October 2000 issue. To compliment its new paintwork, fresh upholstery and replacement mohair hood, the roadster was treated to a set of correct new old stock Borrani wire wheels (a much prized factory period option).

Comparatively little used by Cammarata before entering the current ownership, the Lancia was returned to Duilio Barcali earlier this year for a thorough check-up. Benefiting from a brake system overhaul, reconditioned radiator, engine / transaxle oil changes, attention to its electrics and cosmetic freshening, chassis B24-1047 is described by the vendor as being in "superb" condition; an opinion recently seconded by a UK MOT test inspector. Potentially eligible for the Mille Miglia Storica as well as a host of other prestigious events, it was much admired at the August 2008 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power. Simply exquisite, this ultra rare right-hand drive Spider America is offered for sale with its original 'bolt-on' windows, tools, jack, owner's manual, spare Borrani wire wheel and the October, 2000 Ruoteclassiche magazine in which this automobile is featured. A translation of the feature article into English is also provided. Retaining its original engine, the Aurelia is summed-up by the seller as "a fully sorted car that is ready to drive or show at any concours".