Vehicle Description
1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America, Pinin FarinaChassis No.
B24S-1157Engine No. B24-1209- Formerly part of the well-known Oscar
Davis Collection.- One of just 240 produced, including 181 with
lefthand drive.- Retains its numbers-matching 118hp OHV V-6
engine.- Novel sliding pillar independent front suspension.Hailed
by many as the first to produce a grand touring automobile, Lancia
introduced the B20 Aurelia GT designed by Jano in 1950; a sporting
version of the Aurelia saloon. Styled by Pinin Farina, it was a
motorcar suitable for both daily use and competitive motorsports. A
near-stock model finished second to Ferrari in the 1951 Mille
Miglia and full factory-prepped race cars scored 1-2 in class and
6th and 8th overall at LeMans in 1952. That same year, a B20
Aurelia won the Targa Florio, and came in 3rd and 5th at the Mille
Miglia. A stellar rally car, it went on to win the Liege-Rome-Liege
in 1953 and the famed Monte Carlo in 1954.World War II devastation
bred postwar determination, and Lancia returned to the U.S. market
in 1954 seeking valuable U.S. dollars and an opportunity at the
burgeoning American economy. As its intended market and name
clearly suggests, the handsome Aurelia Spider America - upgraded to
B24 specs - reached the U.S., albeit in limited numbers. Just 240,
including 181 with lefthand drive or Sinestra configuration, were
built over two years.The Spider is notable not only for its
pioneering OHV 60-degree 118hp V-6 engine with 4-speed rear-mounted
transaxle (for optimal weight distribution); but also, for its
costly yet effective, fully independent sliding pillar front
suspension and DeDion rear end. Behind the distinctive Lancia
grille was a roadster body masterfully styled by Italian
coachbuilder Pinin Farina while offering performance that
challenged the Maseratis and Ferraris of the era in an innovative,
practical, and attractive package.Build information on this car
indicates that it was completed in October 1955 and finished in
Grigio over Arancione leather. Little is known of the early history
of the car, though the Spider retains its original numbers-matching
engine. Over the decades, it is believed to have been part of two
large American collections before becoming part of the well-known
Oscar Davis Collection in Elizabeth, New Jersey. When purchased by
Davis it was finished in silver over blue leather. Davis
personalized the car painting it in white with red wheels and an
interior trimmed in red leather. You might ask why? Davis wanted
the car to match that of his first B24S Spider America which he had
sold many years earlier. Upon Davis' passing, the car was offered
for sale and became part of the Hayim Collection in 2022.For those
unfamiliar, Davis collected only the best and most noteworthy
examples of important cars while routinely maintaining his
collection to the highest standards. While shown infrequently by
Davis, under Hayim's ownership, the Spider was the recipient of an
Award of Merit in the Post War Touring Class at the 2023 Boca Raton
Concours d'Elegance.
