1958 Lancia Aurelia

Transmission: 4 gears, Manual gearbox

Engine capacity: 2.451 cc

Top speed: 175 km/h

Manufacturer: Metropole Classics BV Meubellaan 1 6651KV DRUTEN, NL 0031653328817 http://www.metropole.nl [email protected]

As the first Lancia to be completely redesigned after the Second World War, the Aurelia had to be something entirely new – and it certainly was. Starting with the beautifully designed B10 in 1950 and ending with the stylish and refined B24 convertible in 1958, the most striking aspect of the new Aurelia was the introduction of the first V6 engine in series production. Lancia engineers continued to constantly improve the formula, with a new Aurelia variant almost every year and continuous improvements on each subsequent model. Overall, every successive version of the Aurelia produced over the more than eight years offered more performance and sportier styling than the previous one.

The fourth series Aurelia, introduced in 1954, underwent a more thorough restyling than the preceding years and also introduced the production of left-hand drive cars; from 1954 through 1958, all left-hand drive examples were designated with "S" (for sinistra), an attempt to clearly indicate their export specification. The 1955 B24 Spider America was an exclusive model for the American market and was succeeded in 1956 by the B24S convertible. Lancia enthusiasts generally regard the convertible as more elegant and practical than the earlier Spider, partly because it is more comfortable to drive in bad weather. The split bumper was replaced by a one-piece chrome bumper, and the car received roll-up windows and larger doors with handles. Only 521 B24S convertibles were produced, which remain highly sought after to this day.

This B24S convertible, from the collection of Raymond Boniface, is an Aurelia from the "sixth series"—number 319 of the 521 examples built—and was completed on February 4, 1958. This Lancia is finished in Avorio with an entirely new Pelle Rossa interior and presumably still retains largely the original paint and upholstery. The 2.5-liter overhead-valve V6 engine with Weber carburetor delivers 118 hp to the rear wheels from the factory via a four-speed gearbox. Although the original parts have been replaced by a later exhaust system and a gearbox from that era, production information obtained by Dr. Boniface from Italian archives after his purchase reveals that this B24S has otherwise remained a very original example. A set of 15-inch ten-spoke wheels from that period is currently fitted with newer Michelin X radial tires.

This Lancia was purchased by Dr. Boniface in 1976 and enjoyed for many years. The car received the Lion Award at the Concours d’Elegance of America in Plymouth, Michigan, in 2016. This beautiful B24S convertible is now being offered with a very rare removable hardtop, a spare wheel, a Riganti jack, and the personal addition of Dr. Boniface to the equipment of this Lancia: a 1963 US Army folding shovel, mounted in the trunk.

This vehicle has Italian registration.