The clean, Gran Turismo lines of the early Series 2 B20 Aurelia. From coachwork to chassis, a complete classic. Note pronounced fins. Photo courtesy Geoffrey Goldberg.
By Pete Vack
Very special thanks to Geoff Goldberg and Nigel Trow
An article or three, about the Lancia Aurelia, one of the most significant and important cars of the twentieth century. This week, origins and engines.
“The Lancia B20: One of the most significant automobiles of the century of the automobile.”
Who said that?
Maybe it has been written or spoken at some time in the past, distant or otherwise.
Maybe it hasn’t.
So we’ll say it here, loud and clear. You can quote us: The Lancia Aurelia is one of the ten most significant automobiles of the twentieth century, and therefore of all time.
If a 1951 production car with a platform chassis, all independent suspension, four speed transaxle, inboard rear brakes, aluminum V-6 engine confined within the parameters of one of the most beautiful bodies ever envisioned doesn’t mean anything to you, you’re on the wrong website.
Let it also be known that the Aurelia B20, which is our focus here, is a most complex car, each one of the 3,871 coupes virtually hand built, and model lines are confusing. There is engineering excellence with constant changes and as you will see, nothing is as simple as it seems.
The Aurelia story begins with the untimely death at age 55 of the firm’s founder, Vincenzo Lancia, in February 1937. At his side at death, his capable and intelligent widow Adele took control of the firm and steered it through the war years. It is doubtful that this remarkable woman ever received the full credit due her. Mrs. Lancia kept the firm alive until she handed it over to her very able son Gianni.
The 1937-39 Series I Lusso Aprilia: 4WIRS, inboard rear brakes, unit frame body, V4 engine. Photo take at Museo di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. Photo courtesy Geoffrey Goldberg.