Vehicle Description
1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America
Chassis: B24S 1077
Engine: B24 1098
The Most Desirable Road-Going Lancia Sports Car
One of Only 181 Left-Hand-Drive Spider Americas Built
Known Ownership History from New
Desirably Equipped with Fontana Hardtop and Nardi Kit
Fully restored
Eligible for the Finest Historic Events Including the Mille
Miglia
Offered with FIVA Passport, Tools, Owners Manual, and
Documentation
This B24S Spider America is a very special example that possesses
an unbroken chain of ownership, the most desirable options, and an
outstanding concours-quality restoration. The history of B24S 1077
can be traced back to July 1955, when it was sold to its first
owner, Luigi Bosisio of Milan. A well-known gentleman driver,
Bosisio was a frequent competitor in major Italian events
throughout the early 1950s and owned a number of outstanding sports
cars, including a Lancia Aurelia B20 GT, Fiat 8V, Maserati A6GCS,
and a Zagato-bodied Ferrari 166 MM.
After a short period in the care of Bosisio, the Spider America was
sold to Roberto Longhi who, in turn, sold it to Santino Bertele. In
February 1958, Sig. Bertele sold the Lancia to Federico De
Gregorio. The Spider America's fifth owner, Gianni Savoia of
Verona, purchased the car from Sig. De Gregorio in the early 1960s
and retained it until 1983, when it was sold to a local classic car
dealer. Later that year, the B24S was sold to American enthusiast
Richard Citron but was stored in Italy and never exported.
In 1985, famed Formula One team director Jean Sage acquired the
Spider America for his private collection. Well known in racing
circles, Sage began his involvement in motorsports as a driver in
the 1960s, before establishing the successful Ecurie
Elf-Switzerland team with Gerard Larrousse and Paul Archambeaud.
Sage then went on to run Renault's Formula One effort from 1977 to
1985, during which time the team won 15 races and pioneered the use
of turbocharged engines. Following his retirement from Formula One,
Sage became an avid classic car collector, raced in leading vintage
events, and managed several major racing teams including Ferrari
France. The Spider America remained a fixture in Sage's collection
for over a decade and, between 1995 and 1996, was fully restored by
Italian marque specialists.
In early 1998, Sage sold the Lancia to Michael Theo Trosser, a
collector living in Neuss, Germany. That May, Mr. Trosser applied
for and was subsequently granted a FIVA Identity Card, with the
desirable A3 classification. After some years, Trosser sold the
Lancia to a Spanish artist, who kept the Spider America in her
studio and rarely drove it.
The next owner, a discerning Florida collector, was an excellent
steward for the Spider America, and he went through great lengths
to enhance its already superb presentation. In 2012, he
commissioned CB Restorations of Haverhill, Massachusetts, to
perform a concours-quality cosmetic restoration that included a
complete repaint, extensive engine-bay detailing, and attention to
the chrome and brightwork. Additionally, the Lancia was serviced as
needed and given a comprehensive mechanical inspection.
In January of 2014, it was acquired by another Florida collector
who wanted the Lancia to be concours perfect. The car was sent to
Paul Russell and Company in Massachusetts, and it was given new
leather in the color of Sierra Autumn, and a correct radio and
speaker were installed. Mechanical aspects of the car were
addressed as needed. The soft top was refitted with new fabric, and
the undercarriage, engine bay, and exterior were detailed. The work
was completed in June of 2014 and totaled more than $88,000. The
Lancia's most recent owner is a noted American collector who
maintained the car's impeccable show-ready condition.
This sophisticated Spider America is equipped with two of the most
rare and desirable accessories available for the model - the
attractive Carrozzeria Fontana aluminum hardtop and the
high-performance Nardi kit, which features twin Weber 40 DCL5
carburetors and a special intake manifold. As noted on the car's
FIVA Identity Card, these optional features have been with this
Spider America from new, making this a particularly special example
of the B24S.
A well-documented and impeccably restored Spider America, this is
an ideal candidate for leading automotive events; from the finest
international concours d'elegance to exclusive rallies, such as the
Mille Miglia Storica and the Colorado Grand.
It is little wonder that Lancia enthusiasts and knowledgeable
collectors have always held the Spider Americas in such high
regard. After all, these limited-production Aurelias combine a
brilliant Pinin Farina design with a beautifully engineered,
competition-proven chassis to create a near-perfect 1950s sports
car. As a result, these rare Lancias are found only in the best
collections and seldom appear for public sale.
About the Lancia Aurelia
At the Turin Motor Show in May 1950, Lancia's Aurelia was
immediately hailed as a technical tour de force. Spearheaded by the
legendary engineer Vittorio Jano, the Aurelia introduced many
innovative features, including a rear-mounted transaxle, four-wheel
independent suspension, inboard rear brakes, and an aluminum V-6
engine developed by Francesco de Virgilio.
The sporting potential of the Aurelia was realized with the
introduction of the B20 GT. At the 1951 Mille Miglia, a
factory-prepared GT driven by Bracco and Maglioli won the
under-two-liter category and placed 2nd overall behind the Scuderia
Ferrari 340 America. This remarkable finish was followed by
numerous race victories, including a class win at the 1951 24 hours
of Le Mans. Not only did the standard Aurelia models prove their
merit in competition, they formed the basis for Lancia's first
purpose-built sports racing cars, the D20, D23, D24, and D25. These
magnificent machines, particularly the legendary D24, were some of
the most technologically advanced and successful competition cars
of the early 1950s.
At the Brussels Motor Show in January 1955, Lancia unveiled their
most sporting Aurelia - the B24 Spider America. Based on the Fourth
Series B20 GT, the B24 Spider America shared the model's improved
2.5-liter V-6 engine and De Dion rear axle but featured a shorter
chassis and standard floor shift. With a top speed approaching 115
mph, the Spider America was among the best performing open sports
cars of its day and an ideal choice for the well- heeled
enthusiast. Only 250 would be built between 1954-55. 181 left-hand
drive cars and 59 in right-hand drive.
The Spider America's coachwork, masterfully styled, and constructed
by Carrozzeria Pinin Farina, featured voluptuous sculpted lines,
cut-down doors, split bumpers front and rear, as well as a splendid
panoramic wraparound windscreen - the latter feature undoubtedly
inspired by American styling trends of the period. In keeping with
its sporting nature, the Spider America was a strict two-seater
with a light folding top and side curtains in lieu of more
conventional wind-up windows.
As its name suggested, the new Lancia sports car was aimed at the
booming American market and the vast majority built were specified
in left-hand drive. In total, just 240 Spider Americas were built
before Lancia replaced the model with the more practical B24
Convertible. Due to their exceptional rarity, beauty, and
performance, the Spider Americas are widely regarded as the most
desirable road-going Lancias ever built.
