1951 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT

The Lancia Aurelia was practically unmatched when it first took its bow in four-door Berlina trim in 1950. Packed with technology and advanced thinking, Vittorio Jano’s masterpiece boasted a level of ingenuity, fit, and finish that was almost unparalleled. Built around a monocoque chassis, the Aurelia was powered by a brilliant 1,991 cc V-6 engine which drove the rear wheels via a clever transaxle. The recipe only improved the following year, when the Pinin Farina-styled B20 GT Coupé joined the model lineup. Borrowing the mechanical components from its more workaday sibling, the striking Coupé was not only handsome, it also soon proved itself in competition. Of the six distinct series that spanned the model’s production life, the earliest Series I examples are arguably the most sought-after today. Chassis B20-1340 is one such example, having been completed at the factory on 3 December 1951, finished in the appealing combination of Amaranto over a Grigio cloth interior. The car is understood to have spent its early life in its native Italy, prior to being imported to the United Kingdom in 1998, when it was noted on an accompanying historic V5 registration document as being finished in green. The Lancia was subsequently offered at auction in May of the following year, finding a long-term home with an enthusiast based in Midhurst, Sussex. In July 2016 the Aurelia changed hands once more, having been acquired by the current owner in a deal brokered by marque specialist, Thornley Kelham. Though listed in a 1989 ACI document as being fitted with engine number B20-1340, by 1999 the engine number is noted as being B20-1347. Following its acquisition, chassis B20-1340 was treated to a raft of restoration work at Powells of Ripon Ltd. An accompanying invoice dated December 2018 details more than £34,000 of work, including numerous engine and suspension components and almost £22,000 in bodywork repairs. A second invoice from the same company followed in October 2019, with a strip-down and inspection of the engine, honing of the cylinders, a regrind of the crankshaft, and a rebuild of the carburettors amounting to £31,418. In July 2019 the car was subject to a £12,172 retrim at GB Classic Trim, encompassing refinishing of the headlining, door cards, cantrails, flooring, and centre tunnel. A rally timer, auxiliary tachometer, roof-mounted air vent, bucket seats, and harnesses hint at a competition past and ensure it is fully prepared for participation in historic tours and rallies such as the Mille Miglia Storica, for which it in eminently eligible. Presenting today in its factory-correct Amaranto, this spectacular early B20 GT Coupé is a fine example of its type that benefits from a recent comprehensive restoration.