1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America
- Engine
- Aluminium V6 with four-speed transaxle
- Colour
- Black over light tan interior
Chassis B24-1009 is a right-hand-drive 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America, bodied by Pinin Farina and finished originally in black over tan. One of only 59 right-hand-drive examples from a total run of 240 cars, and the ninth completed, it retains its matching-numbers aluminium V-6 after a deliberate engine reunification in 1988. A bare-metal restoration by Thornley Kelham was completed around 2013–2015, and the car subsequently placed second in class at Salon Privé 2015 and appeared at Zoute Concours 2016.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold £426,875 (≈ $534K)
- 1979 → 2011Acquisition unknownRainer Schulte-Bulmkepartial documentation
An enthusiast of the marque who also held a related Spider chassis; by late 1988 he had exchanged engines between the two cars to return the correct V-6 to this chassis. Retained the car for roughly 32 years while it remained in Italy.
- 2011 → 2017Private saleThornley Kelhampartial documentation
A classic car dealer known for Aurelia-based projects; conducted a full bare-metal restoration over approximately two years, rebuilding suspension and transaxle, refurbishing the interior, and sourcing a period-correct hardtop.
- 2017 →Private saleConsigning ownerpartial documentation
Fifth keeper of the car; had the vehicle assessed and tuned by German Lancia specialist B&F Touring during their ownership.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryDr Cirino Raopartial documentation
First registered owner; a longtime participant in the Italian Lancia owners' club. Car was sold new in Italy despite right-hand-drive configuration.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownVeniero Molaripartial documentation
Based in Turin; acquired the car from the first owner, further details not stated.
Competition
- 2015Salon Privé 20152nd in 'Wind in Your Hair' class
Entered following completion of the Thornley Kelham restoration; judged in a concours-style class for open-top cars.
- 2016Zoute Concours 2016
Displayed at the Belgian coastal concours event the year after the Salon Privé appearance; no result recorded in the prose.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1988Mechanical
The original V-6 engine, which had been installed in sister chassis B24-1007, was transferred back to this car, reuniting it with its correct matching-numbers powerplant.
Work arranged by owner Rainer Schulte-Bulmke, who held both cars.
- —RestorationThornley Kelham
Bare-metal restoration carried out over approximately two years; the car was found to have never previously been disassembled and to be mechanically sound with only minor prior bodywork repairs. Suspension and transaxle were rebuilt, the interior was reupholstered, and a period-correct Pinin Farina hardtop was sourced to accompany the car.
Work conducted during Thornley Kelham's ownership from 2011; completed by 2015 when the car appeared at Salon Privé.
- —ServiceB&F Touring
Engine and general tuning work carried out by a German Lancia marque specialist following acquisition by the consigning owner.
Performed after 2017 during the current owner's tenure.
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