2451cc V6
4 speed Manual Gearbox with Nardi Floor Shift
Front Engined Rear Wheel Drive
Hydraulic Drum Brakes
125 bhp 125 lb-ft
Exterior Blu Mediterraneo Interior Grey
Lancia built its reputation on developing incredibly innovative and well engineered cars and the Lancia Aurelia stands out as one of their best designs. It was the first car to feature a production V6 engine, which was paired to a rear transaxle, also unheard of at the time, in a monococque car: a technology Lancia Pioneered in 1922 with the Lambda. Although drum braked, the rear drums were mounted inboard on the transaxle. The Aurelia appeared in four different body styles, from the more pedestrian B10 4 door Berlina, to the B20 GT coupe, the B24 spider and convertible, and the B50 Cabriolet. The B20 GT stands out as it had great success in racing, taking second overall at the Mille Miglia and first in class at Le Mans in 1951, followed by 1-2-3 place wins at the Targa Florio. The first 3 series of Aurelias were all right hand drive, as was a preference before World War 2 for many Italian drivers and it wasn’t until the 4thseries that left hand drive became an option. The fourth series also introduced an engine upgrade from 2 liters to 2.5, as well as a revised rear suspension, switching to a De Dion tube design, which added weight, but improved the predictability of the handling.
The Aurelia went on for a 5thand 6thseries, though the car became progressively heavier as more changes were made. This car was purchased in an online auction and the previous owner had driven it in the California Mille as well as the Colorado Grand. I’m not sure how he managed it, however, as when I received the car it had a horrible driveline vibration on the engine-speed driveshaft which would have made it miserable to drive. Otherwise the car was very well restored in its past and was in generally excellent condition, having been set up in its restoration to be a driver. It has also been fitted with the complete Nardi performance kit for most, if not all of its life. This setup includes dual carburettors and intake, with a scoop fitted to the bonnet, a new camshaft, a floor shift conversion from column shift, and the Nardi wooden rimmed steering wheel. There are also other minor changes to the cooling pipes and such required, all of which are present and original. The driveline vibration was resolved by Vintage Underground along with a carburettor rebuild as well as sorting out and fixing a few other issues and leaks.
