Lancia, 1957, Aurelia GT 2500 B20 VI serie

Lancia “Aurelia GT 2500 B20”, Pininfarina, 1957

Presented at the 1951 Turin Motor Show, the Aurelia B20 was produced by Lancia in 6 series until 1958, and was undoubtedly one of the most popular and best-known Italian grand tourers in the world, not least for having inaugurated the successful 2+2 formula (2 plus 2 seats) hitherto unknown. The 6-cylinder V-cylinder engine was derived from that of the B10 saloon presented in 1950. The beautiful bodywork, which undoubtedly influenced the design of many other sports cars of the period, was built by Pinin Farina and respected the Lancia concept of elegance and discretion, as well as being of great quality. It was offered to the public at the significant price of 2.6 million lire. Pinin Farina was also authorised by Lancia to produce ‘special models’ at the request of customers, to be sold through its own sales network. The sporty ‘double-driving’ B20 also had a long and successful racing life, both with ‘competition’ and ‘special’ versions prepared by the company, and with production cars that owners drove in races as in everyday life. Worthy of mention is the B20's racing debut at the 1951 Mille Miglia: first in the class up to 2000 cc and second overall behind Gigi Villoresi's 4-litre Ferrari. The Museum's car, a true ‘instant classic’, is a VI series and has an air intake on the bonnet that denotes the presence of the Nardi upgrading kit, an engine and gearbox elaboration that was very popular at the time among private drivers.

Curiosity: in a Lancia Aurelia B20, Umberto Marzotto participated in the Gold Cup in ‘53. The Marzotto brothers: Giannino, Paolo, Umberto and Vittorio were very well known in the 1950s, a time when they raced beating champions such as Fangio, Villoresi, Castellotti and Taruffi. Known for their elegance, they embodied the perfect Gentleman Driver that earned Giannino the nickname ‘Double-breasted driver’. Queen of the Dolce Vita, a Lancia Aurelia B24 cabriolet (American), is the star of Dino Risi's 1962 film Il sorpasso with Gassman and Trintignant. Actor Gary Cooper was also an admirer of the Lancia Aurelia B20.

2017 Motor Show 2017, Lancia Aurelia B20
2024 1000 Miglia by Mailander Exhibition