Recently while out and about in my Plymouth, I noticed an unusual car cruising up and down the Main Street of Yea, where I live. I noticed it stopping so I walked over to check it out.
It was a car that I had no idea about and I actually have never seen one before.
Brian and Tjitske, the proud owners, were so kind to show me the car and have a chat about its features and history. I even got a ride in the back seat!! It’s such an amazingly advanced and unusual car for its age. Totally different to my ’58 Plymouth. They had actually noticed my car parked in the street also. Its amazing how enthusiasts have similar minds!
Anyway, I was able to get some quick pics of this rare car to share here. Brian had a fact sheet on the car and its history. Read more below….
“1956 Lancia Aurelia B12 Sedan
The Italian made Lancia Aurelia was the worlds first production car to use a V6 engine configuration. Various manufacturers had discarded the concept because they could not prevent unacceptable engine vibrations.
In 1954 Francesco di Vergilio, a famed Lancia engine designer, was able to develop a crankshaft configuration, firing order and cylinder bank angle such that the engine was inherently vibration free.
The engine design in this car is the basis for all modern V6 engines since then.
The 1954 B10 Aurelia had a 1750cc OHV engine and this car, the second series B12, has a 2255cc OHV engine. Nevertheless, it is the B20 coupe version which is more recognised and which had a brilliant rally record over its ten year, six series production run.
This sedan is able to carry six passengers and has a maximum speed of just under 160km/h. In its day, it could out-perform most other passenger cars although it was priced in the luxury car bracket. However, they were very popular with the landed gentry who were enjoying the fifties wool boom at that time.
The body is a pillar less, monocoque construction and has a rear mounted, four-speed transaxle, another production ‘first’, with 30cm inboard drum brakes and a De Dion rear suspension.
The front suspension is independent using sliding pillars as first seen on the Lancia Lambda of the 1920’s. The front brakes are also 30cm diameter and although unassisted, are capable of repeated hard applications without fade.
The main body shell is steel, bolt-on panels are aluminium and the bumpers are of brass.
This car was privately imported from Italy in the mid fifties and spent most of the next 10 years in the Red Hill district of the Mornington Peninsula. Its market garden owner used it for towing a produce trailer on his regular trips to the Victoria Market in Melbourne. It has been in continuous registration since importation and carries its original registration number.
This car is the only one currently running in Australia although there are a couple more undergoing restoration at present. Overall, only 2200 RHD models were produced. The car has had several trips to QLD and NSW to attend various rallies and is in regular use.
It has been owned by the present owner for 45+ years and is visually original. The engine was completely rebuilt and the body has also had a complete restoration.”
