Lancia introduced its Aurelia series in 1950, beginning with the B10 saloon. In 1951, the company created the grand touring niche when it launched a beautiful, V6-powered 2+2 coupe, called the B20. The car burnished the reputations of chief engineer Vittorio Jano and engine builder Francesco de Virgilio as B20s began winning at the Mille Miglia, LeMans, Monte Carlo, and Targa Florio. Building on its success, Lancia added a spider to its line-up in 1955. This stunning car was a one-year-only design, likely penned by Adriano Rabonne at Pinin Farina. So compelling was its fluid form that Batista Farina is said to have owned a blue version, complete with hard top. Here at RM Sotheby’s, set for auction on May 20th at Villa Erba on Lake Como in Italy, is a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider “America” boasting fifty years of single-family ownership. The estimate is €700,000 to €900,000. Of course, Araknid78 supplied this exotic tip – thanks!

Only 240 Spiders were produced, including a prototype in 1954. One hundred eighty-one of these were “sinistra” – ie, left-hand drive – and designated with an “S”; the remaining were right-hand drive. The Spiders were true roadsters, equipped with side screens but no door handles, and a “panorama” windscreen. The “winged” bumpers also differentiated this car from the later convertible, though both cars shared Lancia’s trademark shield-shaped grille. In a nod to the US – the car’s target market – “America” was appended to the name. This car was purchased by the Piccolo family in the early 1970s, lightly restored in 1975, and used occasionally ever since. Showing wear commensurate with its age and use, this splendid car comes with its FIVA passport and a certificate of authenticity from Lancia. The rectangular surround at the bottom right would hold its European license plate.

The interior is complete with its Condor Electronik radio, three Veglia gauges, an auxiliary water temperature gauge, and the factory three-spoke steering wheel. The horn button is slightly crazed from age. The side curtains reside in the trunk, looking like they’ve seen rare use.

The jewel of an engine is an overhead valve, 60-degree V6 displacing 2.5 liters; the powerplant is paired with a four-speed manual transaxle. Euro-delivery cars made 118 hp, but on our shores, the figure was more like 110 hp. This car is equipped with a single Weber and dual-snorkel air filter. Performance was certainly satisfactory from the factory, but a Nardi kit can give you two Webers and a chrome air cleaner for a couple more ponies. That split coolant casting contains a thermostat that actuates the spring you see, opening and closing the car’s radiator shutters. Honest wear from driving is evident in the engine bay. These cars have appreciated strongly in the last ten years, reaching a zenith in the 2018 time frame when examples sold near $2 million. Current prices are in the $1.2 million range, which this estimate clearly contemplates. Of course, the later B24 convertible, with roll-up windows and a conventional windshield, can be had for much less, but the market believes this version is more elegant. What do you think?