Lancia Aurelia Saloon

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An unassuming yet understatedly elegant car, the Lancia Aurelia of 1950 represented a quiet revolution in car manufacture and innovation.

Launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show, the model had actually been designed during World War Two by Lancia’s chief engineer, Jano Vittorio, and his understudy, Francesco de Virgilio. It boasted the world’s first production V6 engine, largely designed by de Virgilio. With capacities that eventually ranged from 1.8- to 2.5-litres, it was of all-aluminium construction and used overhead valves operated via short pushrods from a single camshaft between the cylinder banks, rather than Lancia’s traditional overhead camshafts, with hemispherical combustion chambers.

The body was also of advanced monocoque design, with Lancia’s ‘sliding pillar’ independent suspension up front (as first seen on the Lambda). The semi-trailing-arm layout of the rear suspension was also a world first, as was the innovative gearbox/rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes, finned drums of fine manufacture and great beauty.

Although the Aurelia was built with a semi-unitary body, a platform for coach builders (the B50) was also offered. The initial B10 saloon was quickly followed by a fastback coupe, the revered B20. Penned by Pininfarina stylist Mario Boano, it was the very essence of bella figura and is not only one of the most influential car shapes of all time, but in 4th Series form is also considered by some to be the greatest aesthetic achievement of the industrial age.

The B24 Spider version of the Aurelia was also astoundingly beautiful, as reflected in its huge price tag today which is now knocking on the door of one million pounds (much to the distress of your cataloguer, who has lusted after one of these mystical machines since he was a child).

Through eight years and six series of development the Aurelia, in all its forms – berlina, coupe and spider – represented the zenith of Fifties car design, not only in terms of engineering but also of aesthetics. Indeed there are some who would claim that this accolade applies not just to the Fifties, but to the entire 20th Century.

At the risk of bringing things down to earth with a bump, however, what you see here is a motley assortment of Aurelia parts that have clearly seen much better days. As with the derelict Lancia Augusta March Special and the MG TA elsewhere in this catalogue, they were recently discovered in the grounds of a detached house in Kidderminster following the death of its owner.

We believe that they form the mortal remains on an unspecified Aurelia saloon with the registration number WMD 100, as shown on the aluminium boot lid that lies among them. Although there is a chasm in value between saloons, coupes and spiders, they do share a number of common mechanical parts. Sadly though, given the limited time available to prepare this catalogue, it has proved beyond not only our resources but also our expertise to ascertain precisely which model (or models) they may come from.

Being offered here at no reserve, we only hope that there are those among you who can shame our ignorance with your knowledge and make proper use of them in time to come.

Please note that the pictures shown on the website show only some of the parts included with this lot.