1954 Lancia B20 GT Series IV

Graciously Lent by Charles Mallory

• Full Nardi kit with floor shift , twin Weber carbs, hood scoop, and steering wheel

• Formerly owned by Roger Werner of ESPN fame, and Speed and Motor Trend channels

• Series IV was the first to have a De Dion rear axle with independent semi-elliptical leaf springs, making it less prone to oversteer

The Aurelia was a superb example of Italian mid-century engineering and style. It was powered by a V6 2.5 litre engine with de Dion Independent rear suspension and elegant coachwork by Pinin Farina.

The Lancia company had always been known for sophisticated designs and in the 1950s they surpassed themselves in producing not only a superb GT car, the B20 Aurelia seen here, but also a revolutionary Grand Prix car which famously was involved in a spectacular incident during the Monaco Grand Prix which deposited their world champion driver Alberto Ascari in the harbor of Monte Carlo during the 1955 Grand Prix. Just a few days later Ascari was killed in an inexplicable incident at Monza.

In 1954 the grand Prix driver Louis Chiron won the Monte Carlo Rally outright amid considerable controversy about whether his Lancia met the regulations. Other notable victories were scored in the Liege-Rome-Liege, a particularly arduous event, won by Johny Claes a well-known band leader and Grand Prix driver.

Sadly, a Lancia Aurelia was also involved in the fatal accident during practice for the 1952 Monaco Grand Prix when Luigi Fagioli crashed exiting the tunnel.

Specifications:

Engine: 2451cc OHV 60° V6

Power: 116.6 hp @ 5000 rpm, torque 134 ft lbs

Transmission: 4-speed manual

Weight: 2498 lbs