Lancia Aurelia B20GT Series 6 Coupe by Pininfarina RH
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Car producer : |
Lancia |
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Model: |
Aurelia B20GT Series 6 Coupe by Pininfarina RH |
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Year: |
1957-1958 |
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Type: |
Coupe |
The Lancia Aurelia is a car that was produced by the Italian manufacturer Lancia. Designed by Vittorio Jano, the Aurelia was launched in 1950 and production lasted until the summer of 1958.
The Aurelia used the first production V6 engine, a 60° design developed by Francesco de Virgilio who was, between 1943 and 1948 a Lancia engineer, and who worked under Jano. During production, capacity grew from 1.8 L to 2.5 L. Prototype engines used a bore and stroke of 68 mm x 72 mm for 1569 cc; these were tested between 1946 and 1948. It was an all-alloy pushrod design with a single camshaft between the cylinder banks. A hemispherical combustion chamber and in-line valves were used. A single Solex or Weber carburettor completed the engine. Some uprated 1991 cc models were fitted with twin carburettors.
At the rear was an innovative combination transaxle with the gearbox, clutch, differential, and inboard-mounted drum brakes. The front suspension was a sliding pillar design, with rear semi-trailing arms replaced by a de Dion tube in the Fourth series. The Aurelia was also first car to be fitted with radial tires as standard equipment.
Power was down to 112 hp (84 kW) for the 1957 sixth series, with increased torque to offset the greater weight of the later car. The sixth series coupés had vent windows, and typically a chrome strip down the bonnet. They were the most touring oriented of the B20 series.
Remarkably smooth and refined, these later 6th series cars benefit from all of the many modifications introduced by Lancia during the B20 production cycle. These include enhancements to trim, suspension, gearbox and, of particular note, the prop shaft and clutch, which are less likely to get out of balance, a weakness of the earlier cars. Buying a late car is therefore a shrewd choice.
