1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America
- Engine
- 2.45L OHV all-alloy V6, single Weber 40 carburetor, 118 bhp at 5,300 rpm
- Colour
- Black over red leather
The 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider America (chassis 1144) is one of only 181 left-hand-drive examples produced, bodied by Pinin Farina and powered by a 2,451cc alloy V6. Delivered new to San Diego, California, the car passed through a small number of owners before a five-year, no-expense-spared restoration costing approximately AU$250,000 was completed in 2010 in Australia. It retains its original steel wheels, carpets, seat covers, and California registration documentation.
Ownership
- 2021-08-13Auction saleEstimate US$1,100,000 – US$1,300,000
- 1955 → 1968Factory deliveryOriginal San Diego, California ownerpartial documentation
First registered owner, based in San Diego. Took delivery of the car new from the US market and held it for roughly twelve years.
- 1968 → 2002Acquisition unknownJames S. Lockhartfull documentation
Split his time between Hollywood Hills, California and Belfair, Washington. Maintained the car largely in original condition aside from a respray to Rosso Capri; retained it until his death. Original California title in his name accompanies the car.
- 2002 → 2003InheritancePebble Beach-based friend of Lockhartpartial documentation
Received the car following Lockhart's passing and held it only briefly before selling.
- 2003-10-01 → 2013Private saleBryan Meredithfull documentation
Based in Victoria, Australia. Commissioned an extensive ground-up restoration costing approximately AU$250,000, carried out over five years and completed around 2010, with work shared between Art on Wheels in Ringwood and Pur-Sang Automobiles in South Melbourne.
- 2013 →Private saleCanadian collectorpartial documentation
Added the car to an established collection of classic European sports cars; consignor at this sale.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2004RestorationArt on Wheels; Pur-Sang Automobiles
A thorough, ground-up restoration was begun approximately a year after Bryan Meredith's acquisition. The project ran for five years and accumulated roughly AU$250,000 in invoices. Coachwork and body restoration was carried out by Art on Wheels in Ringwood, Victoria; mechanical overhaul and rebuilding was handled by Pur-Sang Automobiles in South Melbourne at a cost of AU$30,000. Centre-lug knock-off wire wheels were added (cost approximately €16,200); the original five steel wheels were retained alongside the car.
Restoration completed in 2010; finished in black with red leather interior. Full invoice documentation retained in a three-inch binder accompanying the car.
- —Bodywork
Car was repainted from its original grey finish to Rosso Capri at some point during James Lockhart's ownership; no other significant changes were made.
Exact date of respray unknown; occurred between 1968 and 2002.
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