CHASSIS NO: B24S-1177 - One of only 181 LHD B24S Spider Americas produced, Verified matching numbers example per Registro Aurelia Italiano, Excellent documents include Production Record Letter, Offered with rare hardtop and iconic wire wheels, Previously in two long-term Italian collections, Recent September 2016 service, tune-up, and detailing, Eligible for a multitude of the most important events worldwide, Includes Lancia Registro Storico, ACI and Italian Transport papers. Chassis No: B24S-1177/Engine No: B24 1239. 2,451 cc OHV V-6 engine, single Weber 40 DCZ5 twin-choke carburetor, 118 HP at 5,300 rpm, four-speed manual transaxle, independent sliding-pillar front suspension, De Dion rear axle with leaf springs and shock absorbers, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes _ inboard rear; wheelbase: 96.5". SHIPPING NOTE: WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS CAN PLAY AN ASSISTIVE ROLE IN FACILITATING SHIPPING/TRANSPORT AT THE BUYER'S EXPENSE. VIEW MORE PICTURES

Founded by successful Italian racer Vincenzo Lancia in November 1906, the company bearing his name quickly forged an enviable reputation for sophistication and excellent, race-winning performance. Long renowned for advanced engineering far beyond that of its competitors and industry-leading styling prowess, the heritage of Lancia S.p.A. and its racing and road cars continues to captivate legions of sports car enthusiasts today. In particular, the Aurelia was Lancia_s first new postwar model and its signature road car of the 1950s. Today, it continues to rightly enjoy status as a true milestone.
Designed by Gianni Lancia, Vincenzo_s son, and legendary engineer Vittorio Jano, Lancia's Aurelia stands as the world_s first series-production automobile ever to be powered by a V-6 engine design. The inspired brainchild of Francesco de Virgilio, this incredibly sophisticated engine was an all-alloy unit with pushrod-actuated overhead valves and efficient hemispherical combustion chambers. From the beginning, power output of Lancia_s V-6 was _ and remains _ quite impressive, with plenty of built-in scope for continued development. The Aurelia was equally sophisticated underneath and it continues to be highly prized by true driving enthusiasts for its excellent road manners, due in large part to the near-perfect weight distribution afforded by its rear-mounted transaxle. Introduced at the 1950 Turin Motor Show, the Aurelia was first available in B10 Berlina (sedan) form, followed by the sporting yet elegant 2.0-litre B20 GT 2+2 coupe, which debuted at Turin in 1951 and remains what many experts consider the world_s first _true_ Grand Touring car.
Competition success for the new Lancia was immediate and brilliant, with the Aurelia B20 GT earning an outstanding victory tally throughout its front-line racing career in period. Just three days after its release for sale, the B20 GT won the demanding Giro di Sicilia, translated as the _Lap around Sicily._ The B20 GT went on to score an electrifying podium sweep in the GT 2.0 class at the XVIII Mille Miglia in April 1951, followed by first in the S2.0 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12th overall there against far more powerful opposition. Other high-profile class victories included the 1952 Targa Florio, the 1953 Liege-Rome-Liege Rally, a podium sweep at the 1953 Carrera Panamericana, and a win at the demanding Monte Carlo Rally in 1954.
In time-honored Lancia tradition, the Aurelia and its variants were carefully and relentlessly developed and improved along six distinct series. Two sizes of the V-6 engine were offered, initially displacing 1,991 cc (1951-53) and from Series 3 through the final Series 6 generation, 2,451 cc and 118 horsepower (1953-58). By 1954 and Series 4, the stunning Pininfarina-designed B24 Spider, also named _America_, was introduced. Featuring a shortened version of the successful B20 chassis, the B24 Spider rode upon a 96.5-inch wheelbase length and featured a floor-mounted gear change lever as standard fitment. Universally ranked _ then and now _ as one of the most beautiful and sensational of all designs ever created by the Pininfarina design house in Turin, the B24 Spider featured Lancia_s signature grille element, airfoil-style split front bumpers, a low-profile hood scoop, impeccable, gently flowing overall bodylines, a wraparound windscreen, and windowless doors.
Elemental and adventurous yet sophisticated, the Aurelia B24 Spider was exceptionally agile with its De Dion rear suspension arrangement and quite fast, being capable of reaching a top speed of 115 mph. Production of the pure, original B24 Spider continued through 1956 with just 240 built in all before the revised and more numerous B24 Convertible arrived for 1957-1958 with 510 produced. Despite their low production number, many of the first-generation B24 Spiders survive today, a fitting testament to their enduring desirability and unbeatable status as a true automotive masterpiece on every level.
Of the only 240 first-generation Aurelia B24 Spiders manufactured during their brief production run, 181 were built and delivered new in left-hand drive _S_ configuration - meaning sinistra, Italian for 'left'. Bearing Chassis 1177, this wonderful example of those 181 LHD cars entered production on October 10, 1955 and it was tested at the factory on November 7, 1955. It was recorded as being completed on November 9, 1955 and delivered new that day to its Italian home market in the unusual original color combination of Grigio (grey) over Pelle Verde (green leather) upholstery. It was purchased by the first recorded owner Dario Fasano of Torino, and remained with him for more than 30 years in the Italian _motor city,_ as recorded on copies of period Italian road registration and licensing documents. The Spider passed to its second owner Alberto Garnerone, also of Torino, in October 1987. Shortly before it was acquired by its second steward, the car was entrusted to noted Lancia restorers KCA of Milan. In the time that has elapsed since this restoration was completed, the Lancia is said and believed to have covered just some 2,000 kilometres and as now offered, it remains an ideal candidate for such important classic touring events as the current Mille Miglia as well as a plethora of other desirable events world wide.
Beautifully finished in stylish black over tan leather livery, the Spider rides on highly desirable wire-spoke wheels mounting brand new Michelin tires. It is further accompanied by an elegant hardtop, which is universally accepted as one of the few such tops that can possibly improve upon the exquisite form of the car to which it is mounted. A recent comprehensive and professional service included a brake service, oil and filter change, installation of a new battery, carburetor rebuild, fitment of new tires, a compression test _ with excellent results _ and a thorough detailing, with extensive testing performed thereafter. The Spider_s wipers, gauges, lights, signals, and switches are all reported by the expert Consignor to work properly. Exceptionally, the underside of the car displays parts of what appears to be the original factory-applied undercoating. A great deal of research time and correspondence with the Lancia Aurelia Club in Italy produced a Production Record Letter from the Registro Aurelia Italiano in Milano, which confirms that this car, Chassis Number 1177, retains its original body, engine, rear differential, and front suspension.
As offered, this B24S is complete with a tonneau cover, side curtains in storage bag, a jack, spare tire, and emergency triangle. Exceptional documents and memorabilia include the aforementioned historical data from the Lancia Registro Storico, Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) and Italian transport papers and validating badges, plus two important Aurelia books, Italian plates, and mounted plaques. In summary, this exceptional B24S Spider is perfectly suited for the committed driver-enthusiast seeking a well-sorted example of one of the finest and most beautiful Italian sports cars of the postwar era. Incredibly desirable and eligible for nearly any important automotive event in the world, this 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider truly checks all the boxes for collectors as a race-bred design and engineering masterpiece with fully known history from new and exceptional documentation.