1952 Lancia Aurelia B53 Giardinetta

  • One of just two Giardinetta remaining

  • Unique body by coach maker Viotti

  • Advanced Lancia engineering, with pioneering V6 engine and transaxle setup

With a reputation for successful and innovative automobiles, since the company was established, Lancia was always known to build vehicles at the forefront of both technology and design boundaries. This Aurelia Giardinetta by Viotti is no different, a coach-built ‘woody’ station wagon for the adventurous and tasteful Italian family. While the Aurelia is arguably Lancia’s most popular model of all time, only about 50 Giardinetta wagons were produced, and this car on display is possibly one of two that still exist.

The Aurelia Giardinetta serves as proof that the woody wagon trend outgrew the United States and influenced the global automobile community. The Aurelia was Lancia’s first vehicle built after World War II, and they were creative in ensuring that the car sold well. Along with numerous body styles built by Lancia, the company also sold bare chassis of the Aurelia, allowing popular design houses like Bertone and Pininfarina to build a unique car without disassembling an existing body. If Lancia hadn’t made the decision to sell bare chassis Aurelia’s, this Giardinetta likely would never have advanced past a napkin sketch. Giardinetta today represents the generic name for a station wagon in Italy, though the term was coined and trademarked by company founder Vittorio Viotti in 1946.

Unlike other woodies on display in this exhibition that serve a utilitarian purpose, this Aurelia was purely built for its aesthetic, with clear inspiration from American station wagons. With a shortage of steel in the late 1940s and early 50s, the faux-wood panels were an economical and easy choice for Viotti. During this period, the woody wagon stood as a status symbol amongst wealthy Italian families, a rare, unique, and useful station wagon ready for the next ski trip to the Alps. With its transaxle setup – meaning the transmission was mounted in the rear of the car – it could presumably handle well in the snow also.

Immediately after entering production, the Aurelia quickly became popular amongst the Italian elite due to its attractive looks, along with country-crossing comfort paired with a pioneering V6 engine that provided strong performance. With success on both the racetrack and the road, the Giardinetta by Viotti offered customers another option to enjoy the platform. After a thorough restoration, this Giardinetta won first place in the Lancia Post-War class at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Specifications:

Engine: 2.0 Liter V6

Horsepower: 90hp @ 5000 RPM

Torque: 101 ft./lbs. @ 3500 RPM

Transmission: 4-Speed Manual, Transaxle Layout

Weight: 2700 lbs.

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1951 Fiat 500C Giardiniera

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1957 Morgan 4/4 Series II