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.

image: http://www.supercars.net/graphics/1955_lancia_aurelia_b24_spider_america-thumb-1.gif

Bonham’s Sale of #1004This 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).

In Detail

submitted by	Richard Owen
type	Series Production Car
built at	Italy
coachbuilder	Pininfarina
production	240
engine	V6
position	Front Longitudinal
aspiration	Natural
block material	Aluminum Alloy
displacement	2541 cc / 155.1 in³
power	88.0 kw / 118 bhp @ 5300 rpm
specific output	46.44 bhp per litre
body / frame	Unit Steel
f suspension	Sliding Pillars
r suspension	Semi-Trailing Links
transmission	4-Speed Transaxle
top speed	~185.1 kph / 115.0 mph

Auction Sales History

1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America B24S-1138 – sold for $1,952,500 Exquisite, 100pt restoration by Lancia expert Tony Nicosia. Exciting period racing history with Lou Brero behind the wheel. Delivered new through Kjell Qvale’s legendary dealership. Matching numbers Spider America that has remained in the dry-western climate since new. Ready for top events such as Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance or Mille Miglia Storica.
Auction Source: 2015 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams

1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America – sold for $1,347,500 One of 181 Left-Hand-Drive Examples of a Total 240 Built. Authentic Restoration Completed in 2014. Single Ownership for Three Decades. Believed to be the Second-Oldest Remaining Example. Documented by Factory Chassis Logs.
Auction Source: 2014 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company

1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America B24S-1177 – sold for $1,100,000 Offered with rare hardtop. One of 181 left-hand drive B24 Spider Americas built. Previously in two long term Italian collections. Fitted with desirable options including wire wheels. La Dolce Vita encapsulated in a motorcar.
Auction Source: 2014 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams