1954 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT 2500 Series IV Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Pininfarina
Registration no. 5 CMY
Chassis no. B20-3271
Engine no. B20-3874

Introduced in 1907, Vincenzo Lancia's first car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention, that would remain associated with the marque, well into the modern era. Lancia recommenced production after WW2 with the Aprilia and its smaller cousin the Ardea, but waiting in the wings was yet another groundbreaking design: the Aurelia. Lancia's classic Aurelia, the first car ever to employ a V6 engine, was launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show; the result of extensive collaboration between Ghia designer, Felice Mario Boano, Carrozzeria Pininfarina and an engineering team led by the foremost motor engineer of the period, Vittorio Jano, formerly with Alfa Romeo.

Designed in wartime by Francesco de Virgilio, the 1,754cc 60-degree V6 was of all-aluminium construction and used overhead valves operated via short pushrods instead of Lancia's traditional overhead camshafts. An advanced unitary construction design, the Aurelia retained Lancia's 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension, first seen on the Lambda, but used a novel semi-trailing-arm layout at the rear, another world first. The transmission too, was unusual, comprising a two-piece propshaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle, on which were mounted the inboard brakes.

The B10 saloon was joined the following year by the Pininfarina-styled B20 coupé, a fastback '2+2' on a shortened wheelbase.....which, with its combination of sports car performance and saloon car practicality, can be said to have introduced the Gran Turismo concept to the world. The Aurelia engine had been increased to 1,991cc in 1951 and it was this unit in up-rated form that went into the B20. Lighter and higher geared than the saloon, the B20 was good for a top speed of over 100mph. Stunning the motor racing world, a mildly race-developed B20 driven by Giovanni Bracco finished 2nd in the 1951 Mille Miglia, beaten only by Luigi Villoresi's 4.1-litre works Ferrari! It is worth noting the nimble Aurelia was actually faster than the Ferrari over the mountain passes North of Florence.

Thanks to its excellent chassis, lightweight body and torquey V6 engine, the B20 enjoyed competition successes across multiple motorsport disciplines, including the Monte Carlo Rally, Le Mans and the Mille Miglia (where for the Storica event, this car is eligible). Indeed, Formula 1 World Champions Juan Manuel Fangio and Mike Hawthorn both drove Aurelias in period.

Introduced in 1953, the 3rd and subsequent series B20s were powered by a 2,451cc, 118bhp version of the pushrod V6, while 4th-series onwards cars had De Dion rear suspension instead of the original semi-trailing-arm arrangement. The Lancia factory publication, The History of Lancia 1906-1989, states that 1,231 2.0-litre B20 GTs were produced (Series I and II) plus a further 1,880 2½-litre cars (Series III to VI).

An engineering tour de force clothed in sublime coachwork by Italy's foremost carrozzeria, the Aurelia B20 represents for many the zenith of Lancia's post-war production. In 2020, the prestigious Concorso Italiano(held during Monterey Collectors' Car Week) celebrated the 70th birthday of "one of the most influential car designs in history".

This car, 'B20-3271', commenced construction on 23rd July 1954 and was completed on 23rd September that same year. The Pininfarina body ('002303') was first delivered, finished in green with a hazel brown cloth interior and equipped with a Nardi floor change and steering wheel. The B20GT was first registered to Lancia GB of Alperton, Middlesex on 23rd November 1954 and retains its original registration, '5 CMY' (original buff logbook on file). It is believed to be one of only six B20 Series IV Aurelias delivered to the UK. Total UK sales of Series I-VI coupés totalled just 25: a measure of just how expensive the Aurelia was when compared to comparable models from Jaguar and Aston Martin.

'5 CMY' was delivered new on 1st December 1954 to A B Blanch & Co of Wiltshire, UK. and subsequently owned by Blanch Lely of Wiltshire (from 11th January 1964), A McArthur, Beacon Motors, David Hayne, John Glen, and Austin Watts, all in the Bristol locale.

In 1986, the Lancia was purchased by Maserati 250F specialist and historic racer, David Sankey, who undertook a documented, complete restoration, with Aurelia specialist Tim Burrett rebuilding the engine, incorporating Nardi high-lift camshafts. The car remained in his ownership for 17 years. On 1st December 2003, the Aurelia was purchased at Bonhams' auction at Olympia, London by noted Lancia aficionado, Catherine Janssens. Maintenance and servicing continued to be entrusted to Tim Burrett.

A FIVA ID and FIA Regularité passport were issued, and the car participated in the Rallye Neige et Glace in 2004 and 2005 (3rd overall). It also took part in the 2007 Legend Boucles de Spa and Winter Marathon and the 2009 Rallye Monte Carlo Historique. In October 2010 the car was sold at a London, UK auction to Brian Classick & Co, passing on 22nd December 2011 to the current owners. In 2013, '5 CMY' was repainted in the original Lancia colour, amaranto, by multiple award-winning concours restorers, Haslams of Bolton, UK. The car has been maintained by marque specialists, R&D Automotive Limited of Manchester, with parts supplied by Omicron Engineering Limited, including an MSD ignition conversion for ease of starting and the fitment of a battery isolator.

The following items are included in the sale: FCA Heritage Classiche certification, folder and plaque, documented history file, original 'bench-seating' frame, jack bag and an embroidered Lancia fitted indoor car cover.

As a model of very limited production, the Lancia Aurelia B20GT is a rare car, while original UK-delivered examples like this versatile, Series IV are rarer still. '5 CMY' is offered from a discerning, UK-owned, private collection of multiple concours-winning, Italian thoroughbred and GT cars. Freshly inspected and serviced by the marque specialists, who have maintained it over the last decade, it comes with an FCA Heritage Classiche certification (completed in 7/18), a FIVA passport and FIA Historic Regularité documentation, and is ready to be enjoyed on multiple tours, rallies or concours events worldwide.