Vehicle Description
Lancia introduced the Aurelia at the 1950 Torino Motor Show,
immediately establishing it as a technical benchmark in automotive
engineering. Spearheaded by the legendary engineer Vittorio Jano,
the Aurelia featured many innovative technical 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 pedigree of the Aurelia became
evident with the introduction of the B20 GT. At the 1951 Mille
Miglia, a factory-prepared Aurelia, driven by Giovanni Bracco and
Umberto Maglioli, secured a class win and finished second overall,
trailing only the winning Scuderia Ferrari 340 America. This
success was followed by further race victories, including a class
win at Le Mans, cementing the Aurelia's reputation as a formidable
competition car. Unveiled at the 1955 Brussels Motor Show, the B24
Spider America represented the pinnacle of Aurelia performance and
design. Sharing its 2.5-liter V-6 engine and De Dion rear axle with
the Series IV B20 GT, the Spider America was built on a shorter
chassis and featured a standard floor-shift transmission. With a
top speed approaching 115 mph, it ranked among the fastest open
sports cars of its era, making it a sought-after choice for
discerning enthusiasts. Designed by Pinin Farina, the Spider
America featured elegant yet aggressive styling, characterized by
cut-down doors, split bumpers, and a dramatic wraparound windscreen
inspired by contemporary dream-car aesthetics. As a true sports
car, it was a strict two-seater equipped with a lightweight folding
top and side curtains in place of conventional roll-up windows. The
model was intended primarily for the American market, with the
majority of the 240 examples produced configured in left-hand
drive. Its rarity, advanced engineering, and stunning design have
made the B24 Spider America one of the most coveted road-going
Lancias ever built. This particular Spider America was discovered
in California around 1980 by Olof Anderson, a vintage racer and
Volvo mechanic based on the Monterey Peninsula. Photographs taken
prior to restoration depict an original, complete car free from
significant corrosion or structural damage. Anderson began the
restoration process but never progressed beyond the initial stages,
leaving the car in storage for nearly three decades. In 2009,
Anderson sold the Lancia to Mark Sange of Bolinas, California, a
fellow vintage racer and collector with a passion for Italian
boutique marques. Later that year, noted collector Joe Hayes of
Chicago acquired the car and committed to a Pebble Beach-level
restoration-an undertaking rarely attempted on these intricate and
costly-to-restore Aurelias. Between 2010 and 2012, the restoration
was executed to the highest standards, exceeding $350,000 in total
costs. Several renowned Lancia specialists contributed their
expertise to the project. Will's Garage Co. of Oakdale,
Pennsylvania, handled the disassembly, bodywork, paint, and chrome
refinishing, while upholstery and top restoration were entrusted to
local specialist Thomas Pearce. The car's striking color
scheme-light gray over red-was inspired by a Spider America
displayed at a period auto show. The mechanical restoration was led
by Lancia authority Walt Spak of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who
rebuilt the original V-6 engine, retaining its factory-numbered
block, heads, crankshaft, and sump (all numbered 1184 per Lancia
records). Spak also restored the radiator, exhaust system, and
ancillary components, while sourcing a correct original set of
Borrani wire wheels and a factory-appropriate tool kit and jack.
Additionally, Canadian parts specialist Franco de Piero sourced
original European components, including Carello lights, badges, and
other period-correct details. Upon completion in the summer of
2012, the Lancia debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance�,
earning a prestigious Second in Class award-a testament to both its
exceptional restoration and outstanding presentation. Mr. Hayes
retained the Spider America until 2017, when it was acquired by the
most recent owner, whose world-class collection includes some of
the finest Lancias, Ferraris, and Maseratis extant. Since entering
the aforementioned collection, the car has been meticulously
maintained, benefiting from regular service by an in-house team of
specialists. Accompanied by an extensive documentation file,
including restoration photos and records, as well as original
accessories such as an owner's manual and period sales brochures,
this B24 Spider America represents one of the finest surviving
examples of its kind. With its stunning design, advanced
engineering, and concours-level restoration, this Lancia Aurelia
B24 Spider America is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most
desirable postwar Italian sports cars, eligible for the world's
most prestigious concours events and vintage driving tours. Offers
welcome and trades considered For additional details please view
this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7851-1955-lancia-aurelia-spider-america/
