1952 Lancia Aurelia B53 Cabriolet Carrozzeria Speciale by Pinin Farina

B53-1083roadItaly

Engine: Over-bored B12 unit (replacement for original 2.0L V6)
Colour: Light blue

A 1952 Lancia Aurelia B53 Cabriolet with bespoke coachwork by Pinin Farina, this car is believed to be a one-off 'Carrozzeria Speciale' body on one of fewer than 90 B53 platform chassis produced. Departing the factory in October 1952, it combines the 2,000cc V6 engine with a notably modern, elegant open-top design. After several UK owners and a period of mechanical irregularity, it underwent a comprehensive professional restoration between 2006 and 2008, emerging in light blue with its original dark red leather interior preserved.

Ownership

2019-10-11Auction sale
Estimate €140,000 – €170,000
Bonhams catalogue lot →
→ 2005-04-01Acquisition unknown
Ron Francis
partial documentation
UK-based owner who replaced a worn B20 engine with an over-bored B12 unit; the car was bright red during his tenure.
2005-04-01 →Private sale
Current vendor
full documentation
Commissioned a full restoration by Omicron Engineering between 2006 and 2008, during which the car was refinished in light blue and fitted with a new hood, while the believed-original dark red leather interior was preserved.
Date unknown
Mr O'Rourke
partial documentation
London-based owner during the 1990s who had the car repainted, changing it from its original dark red colour.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—
Engine rebuild
The original or fitted B20 engine, found in very poor condition, was removed and replaced with an over-bored B12 unit.
Work carried out during Ron Francis's ownership; precise date unknown.
—Restoration
Omicron Engineering
Comprehensive restoration undertaken over approximately two years; bodywork refinished in light blue while the dark red leather interior, believed original, was retained. A new dark blue hood was also fitted.
Restoration commissioned by the current owner and carried out between 2006 and 2008 by Lancia specialists Omicron Engineering.

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