Vehicle Description
Chassis No. B24S-1170
Engine No. B24 1229
Lancia's jewel-like, all-aluminum pushrod V6, the world's first
production V6 engine, appeared at the 1950 Turin Motor Show as the
centerpiece of the audacious Lancia Aurelia. Together with Gianni
Lancia and Francesco de Virgilio, the great Vittorio Jano had
created a technical tour de force with the Aurelia, showcasing
numerous innovations including unitary chassis construction,
Lancia's "sliding pillar" independent front suspension, a
rear-mounted transaxle, inboard brakes, and the use of radial
tires.
The Aurelia B10 sedan was succeeded by the stylish Pinin
Farina-designed B20 GT coupe, one of the first of the post-war
generation of elegant Gran Turismos. The remarkably advanced
Aurelia platform was naturally suited to competition, with slightly
modified versions of the B20 GT taking a class win in the 1951 24
Hours of Le Mans and claiming the first three places in the Targa
Florio the following year. Owing to Lancia's continued commitment
to excellence, the Aurelia was continually developed in
progressively more refined "series," gaining larger engines, a de
Dion tube rear suspension, and left-hand drive ("S" for "Sinistra")
by the fourth iteration. An open-topped variant of the Aurelia, the
B24 Spider America, was introduced in 1954 alongside the
fourth-series B20 GT to overwhelming acclaim.
Sharing its mechanical underpinnings and shortened wheelbase with
the race-proven B20 GT, the Spider's beautiful coachwork is one of
Pinin Farina's finest post-war masterpieces. Its soft, flowing
proportions were adorned with delicate split front and rear
bumperettes, a hood scoop, a low wraparound windscreen, while many
cars received optional Borrani wire wheels. A wood-rimmed steering
wheel framed a large speedometer flanked by two smaller Veglia
gauges, side and vent windows were absent, while a soft top and
side curtains were included for weather protection. Some B24 Spider
Americas were raced, including at the Mille Miglia, making the
model notably eligible for that event - a distinction not afforded
to the B24's more common Convertible brethren. The Spider America
was the rarest and purest iteration of the open-topped Aurelia with
only 240 produced.
Chassis number 1170 was completed in October 1955 as a left-hand
drive B24S version, per its Lancia Certificate of Origin. According
to research compiled under previous ownership, chassis 1170 may be
the sole example specified from the factory in Alacio Verde (Light
Green) over a Natural Tan leather interior. Its Certificate of
Origin notes that the original engine fitted to the car, number
1229, is the same one fitted in it today. While its original
owner's name was not recorded, the Spider is believed to have been
ordered new by a US Air Force officer stationed in Rome, which
might explain its unique specifications, including an open European
style glove box along with English mph instrumentation. The Lancia
is believed to have remained in Italy in the ensuing decades before
being discovered there and acquired in late 1980 by Ken Wyatt,
personal assistant to The Who bassist John Entwistle.
At this time, the Spider was refinished in red with black
upholstery and subsequently exported to the UK. Correspondence with
the car shows that the numbers matching engine underwent a complete
rebuild at Weylock Automobiles in Surrey, England, in late 1982,
and in 1985 the Lancia was sold to Paradise Garage in London. That
same year, the Spider was sold to Robert Heisey, an American
working in Parma, Italy, who imported it to the US shortly after
its acquisition. Heisley enjoyed the Spider in Florida for some
years before moving to Gilroy, California, where it was placed in
storage for the next 25 years. In August 2014, the highly original
and unmodified Lancia emerged from storage and was sold to noted
collector Pierre Mellinger. Photos in the accompanying history file
document the discovery of the Lancia in Heisey's garage. While
covered in a thick layer of dust, the car was complete and retained
all of its trim, interior, mechanical components, and other
items.
Mellinger sent the car back to its homeland where he commissioned
GPS Classic S.r.L. of Soragna, Italy, to prepare it for vintage
events. The Spider subsequently participated in various European
tours and exhibitions in the ensuing years.
In early 2018, the Lancia was purchased by new owners in Southern
California who entrusted Symbolic International in San Diego,
California to conduct a complete concours level nut-and-bolt
restoration. This exhaustive restoration included a superb bare
metal refinish of its coachwork in the striking shade of Blu Scuro
(Dark Blue) by Best of Show Coachworks of Escondido, California.
The upholstery, meanwhile, was refinished in beautifully
contrasting Cognac leather hides by Alan Taylor, also of Escondido.
A comprehensive mechanical restoration was also undertaken to
ensure that the Spider was suitable not only for concours events
but for premier touring events as well. The engine and internals
were vapor blasted and engine and transaxle were completely
rebuilt. The steering box was also rebuilt along with the entire
front and rear suspension, while numerous other systems and
components received necessary restorative attention. Receipts
documenting the restoration totalled over $300,000 and are
bolstered by a strong file of restoration photos. These photos show
the depth of the restoration including the bare metal body and
rebuilding of mechanical components. Following this exhaustive
effort, the Lancia was awarded First in Class at the La Jolla
Concours d'Elegance in 2019.
Since joining the consignor's important collection of post-war
European sports cars several years ago, the Lancia has remained in
beautifully restored condition, having received considerable
further sorting and cosmetic refinements, including the addition of
period-correct optional Borrani wire wheels. The Pit Stop of
Brisbane, California have fine-tuned the car in recent years. Given
their extensive experience preparing cars that win concours awards
and finish grueling road rally events, the result is nothing short
of exceptional. Receipts compiled under present ownership have
exceeded $120,000, and when combined with receipts from the earlier
restoration performed by Symbolic, over $420,000 has been spent to
bring this Spider to the remarkable and exquisite level of
presentation it exhibits today. All of these efforts were
recognized at the 2022 Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance, where the
Lancia won the Best Post War Open Car Award.
The original engine bearing number 1229 was observed to retain
corresponding stampings on each cylinder head as well as the engine
sump. The front axle is numbered 164, matching its production
records, while its original transaxle number 398 is also still
fitted to the car. The body retains Pinin Farina body stampings in
many places, with their job number 15289 stamped in the trunk and
matching "289" stampings found on the hood and trunk panels. The
extensive file of restoration photos is also indicative, as photo
evidence records numerous trim pieces and other body components
also marked "289", confirming they are indeed original to the car.
A test drive revealed that this Aurelia has been extensively
sorted, making strong power with plenty of torque and delivering a
throaty and highly satisfying exhaust note. During our time behind
the wheel, the Aurelia shifted, braked, and cornered confidently,
giving the impression of a car that would be a fabulous entrant for
any number of road rallies, including the ...for more information
please contact the seller.
