Chassis No. B20S 1791

Engine No. B20N 3569

At the 1951 Turin Motor Show, Lancia introduced the B20 GT coupe variant of the groundbreaking Aurelia, featuring elegant Pinin Farina-designed bodywork that established the template for the modern 2+2 grand tourer. The B20's mechanical specification evolved throughout production, with engine displacement increasing to 2.5-liters with the Series III, the adoption of a De Dion rear suspension in the Series IV, and reaching its final and most refined form in the Series VI. The combination of sporting capability and refined luxury made the B20 equally at home on both racing circuits and city boulevards.

The Aurelia proved its capabilities dramatically in the 1951 Mille Miglia, where Giovanni Bracco and Umberto Maglioli drove their B20 GT to a remarkable second-place finish overall, competing against vehicles with more than twice their engine displacement. This achievement, followed by successes in events like the Carrera Panamericana and Targa Florio, cemented the Aurelia's sporting credentials. Today, these automobiles remain highly sought after as one of the earliest examples of the post-war generation of elegant Gran Turismos.

Built in 1958, chassis number 1791 comes from the sixth and final series of production and therefore benefits from all of the various upgrades implemented over the preceding series, including a more robust, split-case transaxle, de Dion rear suspension, a 112 horsepower 2.5-liter V6 engine, along with a more favorable seating position, side vent windows, improved sound insulation, and Jaeger instrumentation. According to its Lancia Classiche Certificato di Origine, the car was completed on 17 September 1958 finished in Grigio Chiaro (light grey) with a panno grigio (grey cloth) interior. While its early history remains undocumented, the car is believed to have resided numerous in California collections in the 1970s before passing to Steve Stern of Portola Valley, California. The car remained with Stern until 1984, when it entered the care of its next long-term owner through Bruce Trenery's Fantasy Junction dealership in Emeryville, California, joining a carefully curated collection of significant pre- and post-war sports cars. The Aurelia enjoyed a refurbishment around this time and remained sheltered in the important collection for a remarkable 44 years, selling to the consignor in 2018.

Under current ownership, this Aurelia has received a comprehensive restoration, carried out by Automotive Restorations, Inc. of Stratford, Connecticut. Work included thorough bodywork repairs and a refinish in dark blue, with the beautiful Pinin Farina exterior being detailed with re-chromed trim pieces, new weather stripping throughout, and the addition of a Talbot Berlin left-side mirror. The metric steel wheels received a fresh ivory finish in 2022 and now wear 165R400 Michelin tires, with a matching spare secured in the trunk.

The interior restoration featured split front seats and a rear bench newly trimmed in gray cloth with dark blue leather accents, complemented by matching door and side panels. The dashboard underwent complete refinishing to match the exterior finish, complemented by a new headliner, carpets, door sill covers, and heater hoses, while lap belts were added for front passengers. The beautiful wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel remains, positioned in front of the original Jaeger instruments, including a Jaeger 5,500-rpm tachometer with integrated clock and 220-km/h speedometer.

Mechanical attention was equally thorough. Briarcliff Classic & Imported in New York completed an overhaul of the 2.5-liter V6 in November 2022, complete with a rebuild of the Weber 40DCZ 5 carburetor and water pump, as well as a refinishing of various engine components. The work also extended to a new thermostat, valve cover gasket, distributor cap, points, spark plugs, and ignition wires. Additional improvements included fuel tank repairs, installation of Bilstein rear shock absorbers, and in 2023, steering box adjustment and brake system maintenance.

Today, the car is presented in spectacular condition and is offered with digital invoices detailing its extensive refurbishment. As the most evolved iteration of the first true GT, 1791 presents a rare opportunity to acquire and experience a tremendously influential Lancia on the world's most exclusive rallies and events.