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Only 9 total examples to be built
2nd Aurelia B20GT Outlaw produced by Thornley Kelham
Owned by Danny Sullivan, racing champion and winner of the 1985
Indianapolis 500
Approximately 5,000 labor hours invested
Based on the Bracco Aurelia race car for inspiration
3" chopped roof and bespoke bodywork
Upgraded fuel-injected 2.8-liter Lancia V6 producing 180+
horsepower
4-speed manual transmission
The ultimate Lancia Aurelia B20GT
2,763 miles = 4,447 kilometers
The Lancia Aurelia B20 GT came from humble beginnings. The original
Aurelias had production V6 engines, the first of their kind in an
automobile, and it only took a matter of time before people started
racing. With the first series of B20GT cars were built in early
1950, 2-door sports cars, they were considered some of the first
Gran Turismo cars in the world. During the 1951 Mille Miglia,
demand outstripped supply for these little sports cars after
proving their worth during the races. With an adept chassis and
significant power for the time, the cars were becoming popular and
eventually evolved over time spanning the course of 6 different
series of Aurelia B20GTs.
Not often does the idea come about of turning an Aurelia B20GT into
some sort of "outlaw", a car that is restored and upgraded without
the usual rules of engagement with concours shows. Thornely Kelham
of Gloucestershire aren't just your normal restoration facility,
but have the skills and knowhow to create designs from anew. Having
sourced and restored the "Bracco" Aurelia B20GT, a special racer
that took 2nd overall in the Mille Miglia and a scored a class win
at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951, TK was acutely aware of the
intricacies of the Aurelia platform, but also drawn towards it. One
of the most notable features of the Bracco car was the hot rod-like
chopped roof, no doubt in efforts to streamline the car in period.
After the restoration and appearance at Pebble Beach in 2015, the
idea was planted of a Fuorilegge ("outlaw" in Italian) which brings
us to this special car.
The 1st B20GT Outlaw project began with an American collector
asking Thornley Kelham if they would build something like the
Bracco car, but with modern upgrades paired with philosophy of an
"outlaw" that has been popularized by the Porsche 356 community.
With "about a half a second of hesitation" they said yes, they
could do that. They found a disheveled 6th series Aurelia, stripped
it down to the bare bones, and began to chop, widen, and create the
outlaw. Over 5,000 hours were invested in that first car and the
cars after it, it being the test bed and having a large amount of
creative license to create what Thornley Kelham thought would be
the best interpretation. All four fenders were widened, fatter
tires fitted, Jaguar D-type style wheels added, bumpers and rain
rails removed, the front turn signals hidden inside of the head
lights, Nardi scoop cut into the hood. On the inside, an Alcantara
headliner, Porsche Speedster seats, and an FIA-spec roll cage
certainly gives the vibe of a street racer with class.
Mechanically, the car was quite different than before. While the
Lancia uses a Flaminia V6 engine, it was bored out to 2.8-liters
with more powerful camshafts and a custom exhaust to produce about
175hp, giving a healthy boost of 57hp over a stock engine. The
steering rack was upgraded to a rack and pinion setup, brakes
upgraded to discs on all four corners (but inboard brakes on the
rear), and the sliding pillar suspension has custom gas-filled
shock absorbers to look factory but produce modern handling
capabilities.
When the time came to reveal the newly-created outlaw, Thornley
Kelham were a little anxious as they were not sure how the car
would be received. Fortunately for them, the B20GT outlaw was met
with thunderously positive responses at the 2015 Salon Prive' held
at Blenheim Palace. Two orders for the cars were made that day, and
then two more shortly afterwards. Soon enough, Thornley Kelham were
building their 5th and 6th cars in January of 2019.
Aurelia B20GT Outlaw chassis #2, the car here, is one of the early
orders for Thornley Kelham by none other than Danny Sullivan,
championship-winning racecar driver and winner of the 1985
Indianapolis 500. Sullivan had seen the outlaw 356s for some time,
but always gravitated towards a "more stately car with substance
and refinement." The same rules applied, finding a down-on-its-luck
Aurelia 6th series car and use that as the base for the new and
improved hot rod. However, with Sullivan's build there were a few
notable changes. One of which being the seats which are Ferrari, to
help preserve the overall Italian-ness of the car. Another is the
2.8-liter engine, now fuel injected to free up another 5-10hp for a
grand total of a 185hp. Air conditioning to keep you cool in the
afternoons, an upgraded pedal setup for supreme feedback, a special
smaller Lancia steering wheel, and a few other subtle touches that
set this car apart from any others. The sloping roofline is still
one of the most stunning parts of the car, hand formed by the
artesian craftsman of Thornley Kelham, evoking sex appeal and even
some early American cars.
Sullivan drove the car 2,763 miles (4,447 kilometers) during his
ownership for just over a year, thoroughly enjoying the car. He
noted that he likes to keep things for a few years but then
sometimes wants to move onto the next project. With Bruce Canepa
being friends with Danny, Sullivan brought his Lancia Aurelia to
Canepa to find a like-minded individual who would enjoy the Lancia
just as much as he has. When the Lancia arrived at Canepa, eyes
wandered over to the car and began taking in all the details. The
deep Cordovan color, the swooping body lines, the immense attention
to detail, and the supreme craftsmanship. One of the most unique
and stunning cars to come through Canepa's doors, Danny could trust
that the Lancia was in the right place among the other cars at this
facility.
Being able to custom design and build a car with the highest degree
of quality and attention to detail is quickly becoming a lost art.
Finding skilled craftsman to carry out someone's ultimate vision is
increasingly difficult, but the team at Thornley Kelham have not
only managed to do it, but they have completely surpassed the
previously-set bar. From the nickel-plated hardware to the perfect
metal shaping of all the fenders by hand, the custom upholstered
Ferrari seats to the ultimate tactile and sensory feedback that the
steering, suspension, and the 2.8-liter Lancia V6 engine provide,
the Lancia Aurelia B20GT Outlaw is a car that will be remembered
and cherished for years to come.
