Debuted at the 1950 Torino Motor Show, the Aurelia succeeded the Aprilia, Lancia’s first new postwar model. Designed under Lancia chief engineer Vittorio Jano, the Aurelia was truly revolutionary, combining high levels of performance, nimble handling, luxury, and style into one attractive and compact package. The Aurelia rewrote automotive history as the world’s first series-production automobile with V-6 power, the inspired brainchild of Lancia engineer Francesco De Virgilio. In addition to its sparkling performance, the Aurelia delivered excellent handling with near-perfect weight distribution afforded by its rear-mounted, four-speed transaxle. Sophisticated underpinnings included inboard-mounted rear brakes that reduced the Aurelia’s unsprung weight. First offered in 1950 in B10 berlina form and joined by the sporting yet elegant B20 GT coupe by 1951, the Aurelia created an immediate sensation. It remains highly significant as what many of today’s experts consider one of – if not the – world’s first “true” grand touring automobiles in concept and execution.

Predictably, high-level racing success came swiftly for the Aurelia. Among its achievements, an Aurelia B20 GT finished 2nd in the 1951 edition of the punishing Mille Miglia, piloted by driving legends Giovanni Bracco and Umberto Maglioli. Next, an Aurelia scored 1st in Class and 12th Overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1951. A stunning podium sweep at the 1952 Targa Florio was followed by another high-profile win in the grueling Liège-Rome-Liège Rally in 1953.

Production of the Aurelia continued until 1958 along six series with numerous available body styles. Following the elemental and gorgeous B24 Spider of 1955, Lancia released the better-equipped B24 Cabriolet, aimed directly at America’s rabid sports car market. Updates included a new windscreen and side windows with deflectors, a single-element front bumper, a folding top, and roll-up windows, plus instrument revisions. Both open models were powered by the 2,451 cc development of Lancia’s V-6 engine. In 1956–1957, the B24 Cabriolet was built in two phases – the first in 1955 with 150 built and the second with 371.

This exceedingly rare Aurelia B24S Cabriolet, chassis B24S-1324, is a highly desirable, late-production example with sporting coachwork by Pinin Farina. Sold new to a Bolognese owner on May 15, 1957, this B24S Cabriolet remained in Italy until January 2014, when it was acquired by Florida-based collector Leo Schigiel and exported to the US. Subsequently, the Aurelia was serviced and sorted both cosmetically and mechanically. Its show debut came at the March 2017 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. A wealth of documents accompanies this exceedingly rare and handsomely presented B24S Cabriolet, including copies of ACI ownership records, production data, correspondence, and parts and service invoices. For the collector seeking a beautifully designed, postwar Lancia – at home on the concours field as well as in all manner of driving tours – the search ends here.