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/
