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15/07/2010
Story and images by MURRAY HUBBARD
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It is said necessity is the mother of invention and that truism is no more apparent in the automobile world than this beautiful Pininfarina-designed 1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 series 4GT Coupe. When Lancia decided to produce the Aurelia they made a key decision that would impact on car makers the world over.
There was nothing new in this. Lancia, after all, developed the world's first monocoque body – chassis and body in one - for it's Lancia Lambda in 1922. Not only that the Lambda had a V4 engine with twin overhead camshafts, also first, and independent front suspension and brakes on every corner. It was a company that thrived on innovation.
With the Aurelia, Lancia decided it wanted a smoother engine than the vibration-prone V4 it had campaigned for years. Out of this need, the world's first production V6 was born and installed into the first Aurelia in 1950 and grew in size until the Aurelia finished it's run in 1958. The key to smoother running was the 60 degree angle on the two banks of cylinders. The engine was developed by Francesco de Virgilio, a Lancia engineer between 1943 and 1948. The V6 grew from 1.8 litres in 1950 to 2.5 litres and featured all-alloy pushrods with a camshaft between the banks of cylinders.
Usually a Weber or Solex carby was used. Lancia tested prototype engines between 1946 – 48 to ensure the engine was as smooth as possible. The Aurelia's rear suspension was also trend setting with a combination of transaxle with the transmission, clutch and differential and drum brakes mounted inboard. Topping off the innovations the Aurelia was also one of the first cars to be fitted with radial tyres instead of traditional crossplys.
Of all the Aurelia models there were two stand-out cars: Our featured B20 Series GT-2500 and the Aurelia B24 Spider, both built by Pininfarina, but the design came from Mario Boano. Boano was a highly influential designer with a CV that includes Karmann Ghia, Alfa 2500CC and 1900SS, Fiat 124 Sport, some Chryslers and Ferraris, including the Ferrari 250 GT Boano. Yep, a Ferrari named after it's designer.
So the smooth, sleek, streamlined shape of the 1954 Aurelia should come as no surprise. It is simply a wonderful looking car with a profile that is highlighted by the raking rear end. The front is dominated by the tall grille that extends past the bumper bar which is indented by a V-shape giving a car unique character.
The Aurelia was no slouch on the race track and in 1951 a 2.0 litre variant finished second at Mille Miglia, only a Ferrari America getting there quicker. Also in 1951 the car took first in it's class and 12th overall at LeMans. It was capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph. We took these images of this magnificent car at the Brisbane RACQ Motorfest in July 2010.
The Aurelia series was put out to pasture in 1958 with the Flaminia series taking over in 1957. The Flaminia exuded luxury and continued the Lancia credo of innovation and inate beauty. Lancia found itself in financial trouble in 1969 and was taken over by Fiat.
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