For the most part, I never actually see the vehicles I write about here on Barn Finds, but I am actually going to get up close and personal with this 1958 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series VI Pinin Farina Coupe, because it’s going to be auctioned by Broad Arrow March 8 as part of Hagerty’s Amelia Island Concours in Florida (a/k/a/ “The Amelia”). It’s offered without reserve, with a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 to $250,000. I’ll tap a fender for you.
The car (chassis number B20S 1791) is one of only 312 Series VI B20 GT Coupes built in the final model year of 1958. It was extensively restored between 2020 and 2022. Needless to say, this Italian stallion is “eligible for prestigious touring events worldwide.” Upgrades in these late-model cars include a more robust split-case transaxle, a de Dion rear suspension, a 112-horsepower V-6, along with improved seating, side vent windows, better sound insulation, and Jaeger gauges.
The color is Grigio Chiaro (light grey) with a Panno Grigio (grey cloth) interior. The early history isn’t known, but the car was in California by the 1970s, and went to Steve Stern of Portola Valley. He kept it until 1984, when it went via the Fantasy Junction dealership into an unnamed “carefully curated” collection. There it remained for 44 years, until the consignor bought it in 2018.
Once again, the Aurelia was restored, this time by the well-known Automotive Restorations of Stratford, Connecticut. The car was repainted in dark blue, the chrome restored, and the wheels refinished. The engine was also rebuilt at that time, and the Weber 40DCZ 5 carburetor and water pump overhauled.
The Aurelia B20 GT was introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1951, with elegant Pinin Farina (not yet Pininfarina) coachwork. The engine went to 2.5 liters with the Series III, and the de Dion came with Series IV. These cars drove as amazingly as they looked. A GT achieved second overall at the 1951 Mille Miglia, and the model also did well in the Carrera Panamericana and Targa Florio. The even more sought-after B24 Spider was introduced in 1954, becoming the convertible with roll-up windows in 1956.
The gray cloth interior in this example, with blue leather accents, is set off by a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, and got a new headliner, carpets, sill covers and heater hoses. Lap belts were also added. The gorgeous Lancia is now said to be in “spectacular” condition, which will perhaps justify the asking price. Hagerty’s “good” figure for one of these is $122,000, but this one appears better than good. Is it the best in the world?
Everyone’s (in the world of mainstream car enthusiasts)) heard of Ferrari, Lambo, and Aston, but Lancia not so much. Top quality and performance without ostentation (especially this generation of cars). Old money doesn’t need to advertise itself.
I have owned and still do a few Lancia automobiles. They are sorely understood and admired. Once world champions in Rallye competition having beat the best of the times (Audi, Subaru, etc.). The engineering was far advanced with mid -engine design commonplace. This one is a front (mid-engine) engine, highly collectable model, also available in a Spider version. A great investment having seen rapid growth in recent years.
The cars you refer to were all FIAT and built by Abarth. Great cars, for which Lancia provided the badge and budget to reap marketing rewards.
I wouldn’t say they were “all FIAT”, but Lancia rally cars after the Fulvia were all developed and built during the FIAT era of Lancia, with varying degrees of FIAT componentry and development input.
The Montecarlo (Scorpion in the US) started as FIAT-Abarth project that got transferred to Lancia when they decided to give it the Lancia Beta’s FWD powertrain mounted in mid-rear configuration; this central bodyshell (and not much else) was also used for the FIAT-Abarth 030 which ultimately developed into the Lancia Rally 037.
The Beta and Delta used FIAT engines, but were otherwise developed entirely at Lancia by Lancia engineers who remained on-staff after the buyout.
The first Lancia models to start sharing a broader platform and major componentry with FIAT models were the Thema (using the Tipo Quattro “Type 4” platform co-developed with SAAB and Alfa Romeo) and the Dedra/Delta II (sharing a platform with the FIAT Tipo, originally developed as the Tipo Due and Tipo Tre “Type 2 & 3” platforms).
Presented in “outstanding” condition with a stain on the passenger seat cloth. Huh….
Couldn’t help myself. Saw one while picking my wife up at the Long Beach airport. Kinda fun circling around, as was the Lancia. Made a real nice exhaust note and certainly stood out!
A very original one, with ridiculously low mileage ( like delivery miles) sold a few years back but below the range mentioned here.
What a beautiful car. It’s styling is understated yet a joy to look at, and that dash and interior! I never knew there were classic Lancias. I always thought of them as fancy Fiats (see “Beta” in the 70s), and they never sold here very well. I’d give the seller a thousand dollars just to let me drive this masterpiece a few miles!
Fancy Fiats? No way. Better known as the Mercedes of Italy, respected in Europe from people in the know.
That interior is art.
I’ve been following these cars for years. The current values seem to be a result of being dragged along in the wake of Ferrari values. IMO they are now over priced compared to similar offerings from 50s. But the market has spoken. They are superb cars, ahead of their time in the 50s.
Currently prices are dropping Really good cars can be had for $100K.
Real experts for these cars know their way through the different series ( 6 changes in spec?) And later may not always be better.
However, if you insist on LHD,it has to be a late car like this one. All B20s until 1955+/- were supplied RHD.
Nice
I referred this car to Barn Finds
Crazy to think as a bike riding kid growing up in North London there were two off these parked on the street near my parents middle class home.I used to ride by them and just loved their style..and yes I knew what they were. These are just gorgeous cars and how sad to have lost Lancias..
These may be advanced for the early 50s but it can be difficult to get them to run right. Also, like the guy in your street, for many years in Europe these went to people who had a couple of cars where parts would get swapped around. Given that there were 6 seriies of variations, absolute originslty can be hard to achieve on the B20.
As a car which appealed to vintage rally and race guys even 50 years ago, these mods are often accepted as within the spirit of the game.if originality matters, this example seems to be a good starting point, although B20 freaks may prefer earlier cars.
Say what one will about the FIAT era of Lancia, we have FIAT to thank for Lancia’s continued existence after the ’60s at all. Cars like this, gorgeous and sophisticated as they were, were ultimately what nearly killed Lancia.
To paraphrase a line in one of Jamie Kitman’s columns, “Lancia may be the only car maker to nearly go out of business, twice, by paying too much attention to quality.”
For years these cars were under the radar, but over the last 25 years they have become more recognized for their excellence. This appears to be a premium example, and like many restored cars, you’re buying the restoration and getting the car for nothing. Not cheap, but find another this good.
When I was a go-fer for Bud Hand in the early 70’s, he introduced me to a guy who had found an abandoned Aurelia in an underground garage somewhere in LA. They are very much like an Alfa 1900, one of which Bud Hand owned.
Looks like something Michael Corleone’s wife would drive.