Introduced at the 1955 Brussels Motor Show, the Lancia Aurelia Spider America employed a sporting chassis that was more than 200 millimetres shorter than the standard fourth-series B20 GT on which it was based. And although awash with charm and beautiful curves, the Spider certainly offered substance to match its Pinin Farina style. It gained the Aurelia’s advanced mechanicals in the form of front independent suspension, inboard rear brakes, a four-speed transaxle, and a pioneering new aluminium V-6 engine.

The elegant Aurelia Spider America was built solely in 1955, resulting in a finite production run of only 240 cars. The majority were left-hand drive (identified as B24S), whereas chassis number B24-1009 offered here is one of a mere 59 configured in right-hand-drive form. Furthermore, a sequential build sequence pinpoints this as the ninth example completed.

Per factory records, construction of this car started on 7 April ahead of completion on 18 May, by which time it was finished by Pinin Farina in black over a light tan interior. It is believed that only one other right-hand-drive Spider America gained the same exterior paint. Despite its layout, with Italy transitioning nationwide to driving on the right-hand side of the road in the mid-1920s, chassis B24-1009 was sold new in its home country. Many motorists still opted for right-hand drive to enjoy a clearer view ahead on the winding roads.

First owned by Dr Cirino Rao, a long-time member of the Italian Lancia owners’ club, the car was later sold to Mr Veniero Molari in Turin, and in 1979 the Aurelia was acquired by Mr Rainer Schulte-Bulmke. Evidently a marque enthusiast, he already owned Spider chassis B24-1007. While that car required restoration, it had come to be fitted with the original V-6 belonging to this example. As such, by November 1988, Mr Schulte-Bulmke had swapped the motors over to reunite chassis number B24-1009 with its correct engine.

The car having remained in Italy throughout its life, after 32 years of ownership Mr Schulte-Bulmke sold the Lancia. It was bought in 2011 by Thornley Kelham, the classic car specialist famous for producing its reimagined and enhanced Aurelia ‘Outlaw’. At Thornley Kelham, the Spider was submitted for a bare-metal restoration. The workshop noted that, to its expert knowledge, the car had never previously been apart, was mechanically well-maintained, and had only received minor bodywork repairs. Prioritising preservation over a two-year process, Thornley Kelham rebuilt the suspension and transaxle, reupholstered the interior, and paired B24-1009 with a correct-type Pinin Farina hardtop roof. Testament to the finished car, it finished runner-up in its “Wind in Your Hair” class at Salon Privé in 2015 ahead of being displayed at the Zoute Concours in 2016.

Purchased in 2017 by the consigning owner, only the car’s fifth keeper, the car visited marque specialist B&F Touring in Germany for tuning. It now heads to auction finished in its factory colour scheme and is accompanied by its colour-matching hardtop roof.

Rare, beautiful, benefitting from a good quality, still very fresh restoration, and with a known ownership history, this Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America would make for a glamorous cruiser that is primed for further participation in display and driving events.