Description
Lancia is one of the world’s oldest and most respected motor car manufacturers and the Aurelia is one of the most influential cars in motoring history.
Known for superb engineering and excellent performance the Aurelia was designed under the supervision of the legendary Vittorio Jano, the mastermind behind the all-conquering Alfa Romeo P2, 6C and 8C of the pre-war years. Jano’s arrival set the stage for Lancia’s burst of fame and glory on the international competition stage, in which the Aurelia would play a starring role.
Launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show this revolutionary new model was initially available as a four-door saloon, but soon spawned spider and convertible variants plus a beautiful two-door coupe, the B20 GT. The Aurelia was a ground-breaking design with an all-aluminium V6 engine (the world’s first production V6) set well back in the frame and Lancia’s famous independent sliding pillar front suspension was employed along with independent rear suspension. The gearbox and clutch were housed in a lightweight aluminium-cased transaxle which along with engine positioning gave an ideal 50/ 50 weight distribution. In addition, inboard rear brakes reduced un-sprung weight.
The Aurelia was also extremely successful in motorsport finishing second overall (to a Ferrari 340 America) at the 1951 Mille Miglia and achieving first in class at Le Mans the same year. The model also chalked up victories in the Targa Florio, Rome-Liege-Rome and Monte Carlo Rally.
Chassis 2389 is an early 3rd Series Aurelia completed on the 8th June 1953 and is believed to have been first owned by an elderly doctor in Milan. The doctor specified a Nardi steering wheel, Fiamm horns, Borrani bi-metal wheels and special dashboard instruments.
In 1965 the car was purchased from the doctor by British Lancia specialist Harry Manning who imported it into the UK. Manning then sold the Aurelia to Mike Galt who in turn sold it to Dave Scheldt of Lancia specialists Scheldt & Pettet. The car was then acquired in November 1967 by Mike Hill, an officer in the army.
In 1968 Harry Manning installed a rebuilt 4th Series engine and Hill used the car for a few years until he was posted to Germany and the Aurelia placed into storage until 1977 when it was sold to Alan Comley of Sevenoaks.
In July 1987 the Aurelia was purchased by Dr. Michael Powell of London who had Lancia specialist Tim Burrett rectify a number of minor faults and recommission the car for regular use. This work escalated into a major body and mechanical restoration carried out between 1988 and 1992. Photographs of the work are on file.
Glenn Gibbs restored the body and finished it in Lancia Warm Water Green and Lancia specialists Omicron carried out a full engine rebuild. The interior was retrimmed in beige West of England Cloth by S & H Motorsport.
On completion the Aurelia achieved a class concours win and in 2000 was displayed on the UK Lancia Motor Club stand at the NEC as part of the Aurelia 50th anniversary celebrations.
Omicron continued to maintain the car and fitted a stainless steel exhaust system in 1996 and rebuilt the gearbox in 2008. Omicron also carried out repairs to a door and wheelarch in 2008 and the underside received a coat of body Shutz and Waxoyl was applied to the wheelarches and door internals. The invoices generated during Powell’s twenty-nine-year ownership total over £78, 000.
The Aurelia provided much enjoyment and was driven from England to Sicily to participate in the Targa Florio historic rally. A Targa Florio sticker is still present on the windscreen.
The current British owner (a well-known British Bentley and Lancia collector based in Italy) acquired the Aurelia in 2017 and he too has diligently maintained the car in order to provide reliable continental motoring.
Shortly after purchase, the car was sent to specialists Thornley Kelham for a major service which included removing the transaxle to rebuild the rear brakes. Thornley Kelham also replaced the front wheel bearings, engine mounts, rear dampers and fanbelt.
Works carried out in 2022 included the installation of a new electric fuel pump and overhaul of the front suspension.
The car now has a correct specification 3rd Series engine installed. As with the owner’s other Aurelias, the engine was fully rebuilt by leading Italian Lancia specialist Rome-based Paulo Centazzo and was completed in early 2025. The rebuild included polishing the cylinder liners, hydraulic testing of the block and cylinder heads, new pistons to original specification, crankshaft re-grind, new main bearings, new timing chain and overhaul of the carburettor, water pump and radiator. In addition, a new vent valve (to factory specification) was also fitted. Finally, the braking system was serviced and all fluids replaced. The final invoice totalled 17, 202. 00 euro.
The car has driven reliably all over Europe, including a 2019 trip from London to Rome via the Champagne and Burgundy regions of France and features several sensible touring modifications including an electric fan and 12v accessories socket.
Currently Italian (and ASI) registered, this beautiful Aurelia remains in great order and comes with a thick history file containing correspondences, invoices and MOT certificates. In addition, a photograph album that documents its 1988-1992 restoration.
