1958 Lancia Aurelia B24S Cabriolet Coachwork by Pinin Farina Chassis no. B24S 1577 Race developed V6 engine, superlative handling and sensational Pinin Farina styling: these are the ingredients of a sportscar classic and the Lancia Aurelia B24 has them all. The B24 represents the ultimate development of one of the most influential designs to emerge from Italy post-WW2 - the classic Aurelia. First car ever to employ a V6 engine, the Aurelia was launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show. 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 prop-shaft and combined gearbox/ rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes, though for once this was not an entirely new departure The B10 saloon was joined the following year by the landmark, Pinin Farina-styled B20 coupé, a fastback ‘2+2' on a shortened wheelbase which, with its combination of sportscar 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 coupé was good for a top speed of over 100mph. Introduced in 1953, the 3rd and subsequent series B20s were powered by a 2,451cc, 118bhp version of the pushrod V6, and this unit was adopted for the B24 Spyder launched in 1955, by which time the Aurelia had gained a leaf-sprung De Dion back axle. Capitalising on the Spyder's success, Lancia introduced a more luxurious B24 convertible in 1956, soon after Spyder production had ceased. Again the work of Pinin Farina, the B24 Convertible looked superficially very similar but in fact was a total redesign that shared no panels with its predecessor. Easily recognisable differences were many: deeper doors with external handles and wind-up windows, flatter windscreen with quarter-lights, and one-piece bumpers to name but three. There was also, of course, a proper convertible hood providing decent weather protection. The B24 Convertible was built on the same short-wheelbase chassis as the Spyder and used a slightly less powerful version of the 2,451cc V6 engine producing 110bhp. Top speed was also marginally reduced, to 107mph. The Convertible was even more successful, 521 being sold between 1956 and 1958, as opposed to 240 Spyders. This superb B24 Convertible has enjoyed just two owners from new prior to the present: the first up to 30th March 1959 and the second from then until 24th November 1982 when it was acquired by the current owner. The body was completely restored in 1992 by Garage de Vandoeuvres in Geneva and the engine rebuilt by Tecnica in Paris that same year. The vehicle comes with circa 60 photographs of the restoration process together with a substantial file of invoices. Finished in red with black leather interior, it is presented in very good condition and reported as running well. Offered with French Carte Grise and Contrôle Technique. Un moteur dérivé de la course, une tenue de route exceptionnelle et un design superbe: voici les qualités typiques d'une voiture de sport et la Lancia Aurelia B24 en est l'exemple même. La B24 est la dernière évolution de la Aurelia lancée en 1950 au Salon de l'Automobile de Turin, première voiture de série à être équippée d'un moteur V6. En 1953, les Aurelia B20 3ème série reçûrent un V6 2,541cm3 de 118 ch. qui fût également utilisé dans le B24 Spyder lancé en 1955. S'appuyant sur le succés du Spyder, Lancia mît sur le marché en 1956 (aprés l'arret de la production du Spyder) un cabriolet B24. Plus civilisé que le Spyder, le cabriolet obtînt également un plus grand succés avec 521 modèles vendus entre 1956 et 1958 contre 240 pour le Spyder. Ce superbe cabriolet B24 n'a eu que deux propriétaires avant l'actuel vendeur: le premier jusqu'au 30 mars 1959 et le second jusqu'au 24 novembre 1982, date à laquelle l'actuel propriétaire l'a aquis. La carrosserie fût entièrement restaurée en 1992 par le Garage de Vandoeuvres à Genève et le moteur refait par Tecnica à Paris cette même année. La voiture est livrée avec un dossier sur la restauration (photos et factures). De couleur rouge avec une sellerie noire, elle est présentée en trés bon état à tout point de vue. Cette B24 vient avec sa Carte Grise et son Contrôle Technique. Estimate: €100,000 to 120,000 (CHF160,000-190,000)