Lancia Aurelia (Italy, 1950-1951)

Lancia presented the very first series of the Aurelia in 1950 at the Turin Motor Show with a B10 sedan (berlina) version. Shortly after, in 1951, Lancia started offering the B21 upgraded version of the Aurelia, with a larger engine, and also the 2-door coupe version, dubbed B20 GT.

When Lancia stopped producing this model, 500 units of the first series Aurelias had been built overall.

The very first Aurelias were powered by a front-mounted V6 engine that was developed by Lancia engineer De Virgilio with a 1.8-liter displacement and a power output of 56 hp.
However, the Aurelia’s engines were enhanced to 1991 cc (2.0 L) displacement and then produced from 70 to 75 hp.
These cars achieved their top speed at 112 mi/h (180 km/h) and rear-wheel and right-hand driven, through a 4-speed manual transmission.

Steel unit body construction.   Platform (no data)   Suspension Series 1 Aurelia’s suspension consisted on a sliding pillar and a semi-elliptic leaf spring at the front and rear semi-trailing arms.   Steering Worm and sector.   Brakes Front drum brakes and rear inboard-mounted drum brakes.

The first series Aurelia could be purchased as a coupe, a 4-door sedan or a 2-door Cabriolet.
While Vittorio Jano conceived the original sedan, the B20 coupé was a work of designer Felice Mario Boano at Ghia design studios.
All the models’ bodies were built by Pininfarina design and manufacturing house.

An Aurelia B20 GT, with 91 hp only and a 2-liter engine, was driven by Giovanni Bracco and Umberto Maglioli at the 1951 Mille Miglia, which it finished second.
Later that year, the same car was driven by Lurani Bracco at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing first on its class and at number 12 overall.