Launched in 1950, the Aurelia began life as a saloon designed for well-heeled customers for whom a Fiat was too common and is widely acknowledged as the first production car with a V6 motor under the bonnet. A more sporting GT variant arrived the following year and the production run spanned seven years and six distinct series, this car being a 6th Series. The 6th series saw the adoption of a de Dion rear axle, along with a Panhard rod and leaf springs, 112bhp and can easily be distinguished by the quarter vent windows in the doors. From a total production of 3,861 B20 GT models, just 621 Sixth Series were made in 1957-1958 and of these just 196 were completed with the steering wheel positioned on the right side like the car offered here.
This is a fine example of Lancia’s desirable Sixth Series Aurelia B20 GT. The car has been owned for 30 years (with 72,000 miles on the clock) and has been properly maintained and enjoyed over the past three decades. In addition to routine maintenance, a comprehensive restoration of the Lancia took place in 2006 that took until 2014 to complete. The body was stripped back to bare metal, treated and repainted the tastefully chosen shade of Grigio Chiaro (silver) after any repairs necessary were carried out. All the major mechanical work, including overhauling the engine, gearbox, transmission, front and rear suspension and brakes before carrying out final assembly. A new wiring loom was sourced and installed, while the interior was refurbished with new brown vinyl upholstery and carpets.
The Lancia has been converted to floor-change, a common modification even in period, with Nardi conversion kits proving popular with Aurelia owners around the world, while the who fuel system was overhauled with the tank drained and flushed, new lines and the carburettors rebuilt. Since completion the Aurelia has been well serviced and maintained, with an extensive log of any work completed.
A letter on file from the Fiat Archivo Storico confirms it left Lancia’s Borgo San Paolo Plant on July 29, 1957 in Nero (black) with a Panno (beige) interior and confirms the engine currently in the car (5096) is the original. Car on historic plates.
