Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider

Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider

The Lancia Aurelia holds a special place in automotive history as the car that introduced the world's first production V6 engine. Designed by the brilliant Vittorio Jano, the 60-degree V6 was a masterpiece of smooth, compact engineering that would inspire every V6 that followed. The B24 Spider (and later the B24S Convertible) was the most desirable body variant, designed by Pinin Farina with a svelte, windswept silhouette that epitomized 1950s Italian elegance. The Spider featured a wraparound windscreen, minimal chrome, and a purity of line that made it one of the decade's most beautiful cars. But the Aurelia was much more than a pretty face. The transaxle layout (gearbox at the rear for better weight distribution), semi-trailing arm rear suspension, inboard rear brakes, and sophisticated chassis design made it one of the most advanced production cars of its era. An Aurelia B20 GT Coupe won the Targa Florio in 1952, and privateer Aurelias were competitive in many European races. The B24 Spider appeared famously in the opening sequence of the film 'Il Sorpasso' (1962), cementing its status as an icon of la dolce vita. Just 761 B24 Spiders/Convertibles were built, making them highly prized today.