1951 Lancia Aurelia 2 litres V6 Barchetta Prototipo.

[williamcorke]

Who knows anything about this car?  I don't recall seeing it in any books... Is it a later confection?  Whatever the origin, it would probably be a great drive.

Car was listed for sale here:
http://www.motorbase.com/classifieds/viewad.ehtml?a=1359621035;page=4;pager=1
But doesn't seem to be available any more.

[Kevin MacBride]

Nice looking...but I thought all Aurelias up to 55ish were RHD, and that all 2.0 versions were certainly RHD. So the basis for this car must be later than '51.

[Sebastien]

It is certainly made on the basis of a B10S, left hand drive berlina, which was available from 1951.
Should be fun to drive, if a light aluminum body, on a shortened platform!
Similar creations are advertised from time to time in Belgium, mostly on Alfa 1900 basis. They seem to originate from Argentina.

[DavidLaver]

Just about anyone who goes to visit Ron Francis comes away thinking "one of those small capacity Aurelia engines nobody seems to want, and the short ratio gearbox nobody seems to want, and reface some dials from a Triumph or something, how hard could it be..."

[GG]

It would be nice if one of the fabricators out there would get serious and do an Aurelia Zagato, as it once was. That would be a welcome addition.....

On another note, the 2 liter motors David refers to really do have their own charm. They spin much easier, smoother, and generate significantly less heat. Just a nice motor. Not as sure about the 1.8 motors, they might just be a bit too small....

On the subject of specials.... one of the most interesting ones I ever saw was the original prototype 538 motor (1.569, c. 1946) put into an Aprilia sedan as was done by the factory some 60+ years earlier. It was surprisingly charming - had lots of torque and was very smooth. I keep dreaming (encouraging?) a run of 20 specials like that for sale.... but it won't ever happen, sadly.

That would be neat to have....

[Richard Fridd]

B20 Aerodinamico Barchetta for sale on page 196 of C+SC this issue and on www.exclusiveandclassic.com but can't get the link to work here. Richard