Chassis No. B24S-1291

Engine No. 1420

Transmission No. 410

The open two-seater version of Lancia's groundbreaking Aurelia, influenced heavily by the flourishing American sports car market of the 1950s, emerged in 1954 as the Spider. One of Pinin Farina's finest post-war masterpieces, its soft, flowing proportions were adorned with delicate split front and rear bumperettes, a hood scoop, and a low wraparound windscreen-clearly drawing inspiration from Pinin Farina's open Ferraris of the period.

The 1956 introduction of the second-series Aurelia saw the Spider replaced by the B24 Convertible. Where the original Spider had been an uncompromisingly open car with a low wraparound windscreen, vestigial bumperettes, and no roll-up glass, the second series addressed every perceived shortcoming. The wraparound windscreen gave way to a more conventionally angled pane with framed vent windows, the doors were taller and featured crank windows along with external handles and individual locks, the headlamps grew in diameter alongside a larger hood air intake, and the dashboard gained a locking glovebox and a dual-instrument binnacle. Additionally, the Convertible gained a proper folding soft top for weather protection. While produced in greater numbers than its Spider predecessor car-521 in total between 1956 and 1958-the Convertible is generally favored by Lancia enthusiasts who actively drive their vehicles as the all-round more practical choice, particularly in inclement weather.

According to its Registro Lancia Certificato di Identità, chassis B24S-1291 was among the final second-series Aurelia B24 S examples completed (concluding with chassis number 1331), constructed in December 1956 and "returned to the garage" on 6 February 1957 before its Certificato d'Origine was issued on 15 April 1957. First registered that June to Pietro Randi of Lugo di Romagna and carrying Ravenna plate "RA 30166," the Aurelia remained only briefly with its first owner before passing on 31 July 1957 to Giuseppe Triulzi of Milan, at which point it received Milan registration "MI 354377."

By 25 October 1962, the car had entered the ownership of Giuseppe Angelantoni of Massa Martana, Umbria, later adopting Perugia plate "PG 057305." The Aurelia would remain with the Angelantoni family for decades, passing to Cesare Angelantoni in 1991. During this long stewardship, the car is understood to have benefited from a comprehensive restoration by KCA of Milan in 1990, the results of which it still gracefully wears today. Chassis 1291 was purchased on 22 May 2014 by its current caretaker, in whose care the mechanics were comprehensively rebuilt in June 2018 by Sergio Monti, a noted Lancia specialist based in Sesto San Giovanni.

Importantly, the Lancia's accompanying Registro Lancia documentation records it as a matching-numbers example, retaining its original chassis, engine, transmission, and front axle. It is further noted as retaining its wonderfully evocative original color scheme of Rosso Lancia Montebello over pelle naturale, and is accompanied by a rare original hardtop matching the exterior livery. Comprehensively documented with its original Italian Libretto green booklet and copies of its ACI Cronologico, this refined open-air Lancia is ready to delight its next custodian whether on the concours lawn or on a spirited long-distance tour.