An extremely rare example, documented participant in the 1953 Mille Miglia race
Superb Lancia engineering
The Aurelia combined comfort, luxury and driving pleasure
One of 877 Series I examples produced between 1952 and 1953
Born with competitive intent, the Lancia Aurelia B22 harmonises very well a sober, elegant, almost luxurious car body, with a power unit with significant performance (the maximum speed exceeds 160 km/h)
With the ASI Passport with the “Gold” plaque
This historically significant Lancia comes with the original of the Italian Carta di Circolazione regularly stamped
Raced in the Mille Miglia with Mr. Count Giuseppe Leopardi Dittaiuti as driver, a descendant of the poet Giacomo Leopardi, considered the greatest Italian poet of the nineteenth century
Lancia was established in 1906, in Turin, Italy, by the famous racing driver Vincenzo Lancia.
His company soon became known for elegant design and impressive technical innovations, a prime example of which was the Lambda of 1922, which is now regarded as one of the great pre-war engineering masterpieces.
Lancia has been always well known because of their advanced technology which was resulting in a high priced car in comparison to the competition.
Unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1950 and produced until 1958, the Lancia Aurelia is worthy of Lancia’s avant-garde reputation.
It is noted for using the first production V6 engine. Establishing a post-war Lancia tradition.
The car was named after a Roman road: the Via Aurelia, leading from Rome to Pisa.
The Aurelia was designed under the direction of engineer Vittorio Jano.
The Lancia Aurelia was available in several versions: a sedan version (B10, B12, B15, B21, B22), a sporty version, the B20 GT, which will obtain many racing successes, the glamorous and very popular B24 Spider and Convertible, as well as special chassis (B50 to B60).
Born with competitive intent, the Lancia Aurelia B22 harmonises very well a sober, elegant, almost luxurious car body, with a power unit with significant performance (the maximum speed exceeds 160 km/h).
In the 1951 Mille Miglia, the 2 Litre Aurelia, driven by Giovanni Bracco and Umberto Maglioli, finished 2nd beaten just by the Ferrari America.
The same year it took first in class and 12th overall at Le Mans.
Modified Aurelias took the first three places on 1952’s Targa Florio with Felice Bonetto as the winner and another win on Lièges-Rome-Lièges of 1953.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
On the 31st of October 1952 this gorgeous Lancia was delivered to its first Italian owner, in Turin.
The lancia was registered under the name of the daughter of Mr. Paolo Ignazio Maria Thaon, Count Thaon di Revel.
Count Thaon was an Italian politician and fencer.
He was Mayor of Torino (1929–35) and Italian Minister of Finance (1935–43) in the Mussolini Cabinet.
After the war, he was president of the organising committee of the 1956 Winter Olympics at Cortina d’Ampezzo.
He competed at the Olympics in 1920 in épée fencing, winning a gold medal in the team event.
In 1953, this specific example raced in the Mille Miglia with Mr. Count Giuseppe Leopardi Dittaiuti as driver.
Mr. Count Giuseppe Leopardi Dittaiuti was descendant of the poet Giacomo Leopardi, considered the greatest Italian poet of the nineteenth century.
Subsequently it was sold the 16th of July 1954 in Rome to a Mr. Fausto Pitotti.
Notably, the car remained under the care of the same Italian family for seven decades, from 1954 to 2024, and has survived in remarkably original condition.
The car remains registered in the same Italian family until 2024.
A copy of the first Italian registration in Turin and the original of the Italian Carta di Circolazione regularly stamped, is in the history file of the car.
This Lancia displays the Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI) Gold Plate on its grille. This gold plate is validated by former ASI President to the highest degree A, and it marks this Lancia as being as original as it was when manufactured.
The ASI Certificate of Identity is in Italy is the highest recognition that a classic car can receive.
CONDITION EXTERIOR
This Lancia shows beautiful patina.
One can see that this is a car in a unique condition which shows the building quality of the past.
The paint shows here and there signs of use as well as the aluminium and chrome parts.
The nice details of the hand painted original Mille Miglia race number is off-course amazing.
The original looks are beautiful for the car and we hope that the new owner will keep this original fabulous looks.
The glass, exterior emblems, lighting, exterior lenses, and turn indicators are all in a nice condition.
CONDITION INTERIOR
It is finished with the typical woolen Lancia grey cloth interiors.
The interior is stylish and full of extremely nice details.
The bakelite steering wheel is showing the period of the production of the car but more important is the condition of the interior.
The condition is as it should be for this car which means that the interior is looking as the exterior.
Perfect for the original condition of this car.
There is plenty of head, leg and foot room (and no transmission tunnel – just a skinny tube for the prop), while the cabin is easy to enter via the wide opening of those pillarless doors.
They latch with a deliciously solid and satisfying click against catches on the sills and the roof.
DRIVING EXPERIENCE
To start it, you turn the key and press it in. When the engine runs the sounds is wonderful and racy like the driving experience.
The car is rather fast and handles as a sports car.
The biggest pleasure is the lightness of the whole experience.
You think about a corner, a shift of direction, and it just flows there. That magic Aurelia “directability” is there as it flows into corners.
One looks for corners, places with curves, places just to experience the dynamics of the car yet again.
The Aurelia is responsive and intelligently high-geared with refined mid-range torque.
The V6 is flexible and silky.
This is a special example of a special car. Not just one of the great Lancias, but one of the greatest saloons of its time.
Possessing a wonderful rare elegance, Aurelia B22s are rarely available for purchase, and this extremely rare example, Mille Miglia eligible, warrants serious consideration.
Have you always wanted to take part in the prestigious Mille Miglia?
Then this could be a very suitable candidate as rare cars which took part in the race in period as this example, have a guaranteed entry.
This Lancia is impatiently waiting in our showroom for a new “caretaker” to take her on the next Mille Miglia as well in other prestigious events.
