The Aurelia was designed under the direction of engineer Vittorio Jano. Its engine, one of the first production V6 engines, a 60° design developed by Francesco de Virgilio, 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 1,569 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. Carburation was by a single Solex or Weber. Some uprated 1,991 cc models were fitted with twin carburettors.
The Aurelia featured an innovative combination transaxle integrating the gearbox, clutch, and 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 the first car to be fitted with radial tires as standard equipment.
Specifications The B21 engine technical specifications are as follows:
Bore × stroke: 72.0 mm × 81.5 mm
Displacement: 1991 cc
Dry weight: 150 kg
Firing order: 1L-4R-3L-6R-5L-2R
Carburetors: Solex 30 AAI, 23 and 24 mm venturis
Power: 75 PS gross at 4,500 rpm
The first Aurelias were the B10 berlinas (sedans). They used a 1754 cc version of the V6 which produced 56 hp. The B21 was released in 1951 with a larger 1991 cc 70 hp engine. A two-door B20 GT coupé appeared that same year. It had a shorter wheelbase and a Ghia-designed, Pinin Farina-built body. The same 1991 cc engine produced 75 hp in the B20. In all, 500 first series Aurelias were produced.
The second series Aurelia coupé pushed power up to 80 hp from the 1991 cc V6 with a higher compression ratio and repositioned valves. Other changes included better brakes and minor styling tweaks, such as chromed bumpers instead of the aluminium ones used in the earlier car. A new dashboard featured two larger instrument gauges. The suspension was unchanged from the first series. A new B22 sedan was released in 1952 with dual Weber carburetors and a hotter camshaft for 90 hp.
The third series appeared in 1953 with a larger 2451 cc version of the engine. The rear of the car lost the tail fins of the earlier series.
The fourth series introduced the new de Dion tube rear suspension. The engine was changed from white metal bearings to shell bearings. An open car, the B24 Spider, was introduced at this time (1954 to 1955) and was well received. It was similar to the B20 coupé mechanically, with an eight-inch (203 mm) shorter wheelbase than the coupé. Fourth-series Aurelias were the first B20 Aurelias to be available in left-hand drive.
The fifth series coupé, appearing in 1956, was more luxurious. It had a different transaxle (split case), which was more robust and similar to that used in the later Flaminias. The driveshaft was also revised to reduce vibration. Alongside the fifth series coupés was a revised open car, the B24 convertible. This differed from the earlier B24 Spider, having roll-up windows, a better seating position, and a windscreen with vent windows. Mechanically, the B24 convertible was similar to the coupé of the same series.
The sixth series, in 1957, produced 112 hp with increased torque to offset the car’s greater weight. The sixth-series coupés had vent windows and typically a chrome strip down the bonnet. The sixth-series B24 convertible was very similar to the fifth, with some minor differences in trim. Most notably, the fuel tank was in the boot, not behind the seats as it was in the fourth- and fifth-series open cars.
Models The Lancia Aurelia Cabriolet (B50/B52) was produced in a small number, around 265, by cabriolet-specialist Pinin Farina. The B24 Spider, produced from 1954–1955, had 240 examples built, featuring a panoramic windscreen, distinctive two-part chrome bumpers, removable side screens, soft top, and Pinin Farina styling. The B24 Convertible, produced from 1956 to 1958, had 521 cars built.
In motorsport, a 2-litre Aurelia finished second, driven by Giovanni Bracco and Umberto Maglioli, in the 1951 Mille Miglia. The same year it took first in class and 12th overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Modified Aurelias took the first three places in the 1952 Targa Florio. According to Wikipedia, an Aurelia GT co-driven by Louis Chiron and Ciro Basadonna won the 1954 Monte Carlo Rally (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancia_Aurelia).
The Lancia Aurelia is prominent in The Calculus Affair, one of The Adventures of Tintin, in the story's car chase scene. Dino Risi's 1962 movie The Easy Life features the Lancia Aurelia.