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Lancia gave its chief designer, Vittorio Jano, a clean sheet of paper when it replaced the Aprilia which had been the company's mainstay since 1937. Jano, the man responsible for most pre-war Alfa Romeos, worked with a brilliant young engineer named Francesco de Virgilio. The result of their partnership, the Aurelia, was one of those rare cars which owed nothing to its predecessor.

When the Aurelia was unveiled it was, by common consent, the most superbly engineered saloon car there had ever been. A short wheelbase version, the B20, was third in the 1951 Mille Miglia and another was second in the 1952 event, splitting two Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'gullwing' coupes. Later that year, the Aurelia finished 1-2-3 in the Targa Florio, a remarkable achievement for a production saloon car.

With such a record in racing, the Aurelia cried out to have an open sports version in the catalogue and, in 1955, Lancia duly obliged. Pinin Farina styled a sleek two-seater, baptised 'Spyder America' in deference to its main target market, which was a triumph of simplicity and elegance characterised by its distinctive panoramic windscreen and stylish quarter bumpers. Since the Aurelia had unitary construction, Pinin Farina made the entire body/ chassis unit which was one of the first jobs awarded to their new manufacturing plant.

The Aurelia underwent constant development and there were six distinct series. From the fourth series on, a de Dion rear axle replaced the original trailing arms. All B24 Spyders had the de Dion layout and the 2541cc version of the engine which was tuned to give 118 bhp. Top speed was estimated to be 115 mph (184 kph), but more important was its superb handling and road holding which made it unbeatable on country roads.

A mere 240 examples of the two-seat Aurelia B24 Spyder America were made (in both left and right-hand drive forms) as production was limited by the capacity of the Pinin Farina factory - and fewer still exist today. The combination of rarity, engineering excellence and Pinin Farina's gorgeous body makes this superb car a blue chip investment.

Bonham's Sale of #1004

This example was tracked down by Silvano Cima in America 20 years ago and imported to Italy, where it underwent a total, no expense spared restoration by KCA of Milan. Strikingly finished in its original metallic green with natural leather upholstery, its appearance enhanced by polished Borrani wire wheels, the car also boasts the high performance Nardi kit. Italian registered and ASI homologated, this is probably the finest Spyder America we have offered to date.

At their Les Grandes Marques a Monaco in 2005, Bonhams sold #1156. The top bid was 210 000 EU ($264 000 USD).

Chassis & Sales

1954 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spyder America - sold for €233,227 The Spyder offered here is one of 240 B24 Spyder Americas built. In fact, it is one of only 59 right-hand drive examples, of which only 30 to 35 examples are still known to exist. Factory records indicate that 1045 was produced between May and June 1955 finished in grey with red leather interior. The current owner purchased the vehicle in 2007 from Belgium at which point 1045 was inspected by Anthony Hussey of the Lancia Motor Club who confirm... more
Gallery: 2008 RM Automobiles of London

1956 Lancia Aurelia B24S America Spyder - sold for $550,000 The example offered here is one of these rare survivors, having lived all its life in the forgiving California climate. In 1992, it was cosmetically restored by Lancia expert Franco DePiero in Italy. The owner at the time was president of the U.S. Lancia club and an avid vintage racer. He had his full-time mechanic perform the complete rebuild of the Lancia’s matching numbers drivetrain at his garage in Sears Point, California. During the r... more
Gallery: 2007 Monterey Preview

1954 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America - sold for $423,500 The current owner acquired the car in England and imported it to Costa Rica, where a complete restoration was undertaken. While the body was found to remain in very good condition, a 4,000-hour, concours-quality restoration was recently completed in preparation for its sale at Monterey, preceded by the car’s display at the nearby Quail Lodge. As restored, the Spyder is now handsomely finished in black with a Burnt Orange/Pumpkin leather inter... more
Gallery: 2011 Monterey Auction by RM

1958 Lancia Aurelia B24 Convertible B24S-1601 - sold for €202,531 Registered for the first time on 27 August 1958, this Lancia Aurelia Convertible changed hands in 1973, bought by a certain Vincenzo Giuliani from Saint-Brice-la-Forêt. Jean-Claude Bajol acquired the car from him during the 1980s, making him the third owner. The car was restored some time ago at the Chanabet workshop in Toulouse, and is presented in midnight blue with a black hardtop. The red leather interior displays a lovely patina, and the ... more
Gallery: 2012 Artcurial Motorcars à Rétromobile

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