1955 Lancia Aurelia B20GT

POA

1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT 4th Series

Chassis number B203515
Complete matching numbers
Lancia Certificate of Origin.
Documented History.
Documented Restoration.
Great event eligibility including the Mille Miglia.

Produced in May 1955 and finished in Bleu with Panni Grigio interior.

Originally delivered to Italy, exported to Rhodesia in 1962 and registered to Mr. Eric Deacon. Mr. Deacon was a prominent member and participant of club rallies and competed with the car against such competition as a Bristol 401, Riley Pathfinder and assorted Jags etc. In 1970 the Aurelia was purchased by Mr. Bill Brown and subsequently 5 years later on to Mr. Stuart Weekes who had been “lusting” after the car having first set eyes on it years previously. In 1982 Mr. Weekes emigrated and drove the car from Harare to Durban SA. In the early 90’s Mr. Weeks again moved with his family, this time on to New Zealand and reluctantly sold the car to Mr. David Crookes. Mr. Crookes stated “At the time I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted one driving around our local village. Owned by Stuart Weekes, the local Nissan dealer principal whom I knew quite well since we ran Nissans on the farm then”.

Once acquired Mr. Crookes stored the B20 for 15 years before commencing the restoration process. The car was stripped to a bare shell. The monocoque was beautifully preserved due to the kind southern African climate:

Restoration Work:
lower mudguards and sills were replaced and completely resprayed.
The motor was completely overhauled as was the carburettor and the cooling system.
Complete gearbox and diff overhaul
All brake cylinders were relined with stainless steel and new beveled bearings were fitted to the rear hubs.
New bearings and seals for the gearbox and diff.
Fuel tank chemically cleaned and zinc lined.
Electric fuel pump was fitted.
Car totally rewired.
Interior fully re-trimmed  in grey leather and coarse weave fabric on seat faces (All the rubber mats had been well preserved).
Five new Michelin X165 X 400 tyres fitted.
Original air horn was restored.
All chrome work re-chromed and all light lenses were re-silvered, thus completing a thorough rebuild.
All the body rubbers have been replaced
Spares obtained from OMICRON in the UK.
The spare wheel is a new Michelin X 400x165 as are the other four wheels, all brand new.
Since the rebuild, the car has covered less than 1000k’s.


Specification.
Engine: 6 cylinder V6 (60 degree) 2451 cc OHV developing 118 BHP @ 5300 RPM. Aluminium cylinder heads and block w/cast iron cylinder liners. Single Weber twin choke carb.

Transmission: Transaxle incorporated with differential located at rear of car. 4 speed w/ synchromesh on 2,3 and 4.  Floor mounted selection lever (Factory fitted).  Rear mounted clutch.

Suspension: Independent front w/ vertical action sliding pillars and adjustable shock absorbers fed by central oil reservoir. DeDion rear end with tubular beam mounted on semi - elliptical leaf springs.

Brakes: Massive finned drum brakes on all four wheels, mounted inboard at rear.

Fuel System: 78 litter tank with reserve control located under passenger seat (now bypassed).

Wheel size: 165 x 400 rolled edge rims.

Body: 2 door come of unit construction and beautiful aerodynamic lines. All up weight - 1060 kg.

From launch the Aurelia’s had considerable competition success. In the 1951 Mille Miglia a 2-litre Aurelia, driven by Giovanni Bracco and Umberto Maglioli, finished second, beaten only by a Ferrari 340 America. The same year it took first in class and 12th overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Modified Aurelias took the first three places in the 1952 Targa Florio with Felice Bonetto as the winner and another win on Lièges-Rome-Lièges of 1953. The fifth edition of the Coppa della Toscana netted 1-2-3 victory for the Lancia Aurelia GT 2500 of Scuderia Lancia.
One of the most important wins came in 1954 at the Monty Carlo Rally. An Aurelia GT co-driven by Louis Chiron and Ciro Basadonna took the top step of the podium, which was the first of Lancia’s many overall victories at the legendary rally held on the roads above the principality.
The Lancia B20 Aurelia has a lauded reputation characterised by outstanding engineering, performance and design beauty. As quoted from Motor Magazine, “was one of the genuine masterpieces in the history of automotive design”.
This B20 has a wonderful file documenting her life, containing many personal notes,  correspondence and pictures. Also present are the original owner’s manual and a workshop book.


Now located with us in the UK and available for viewing by appointment.