Lancia Aurelia GT-B20

Thursday 15 October 2009
The Lancia Aurelia is considered by many to be the first true Gran Turismo automobile. Designed by Vittorio Jano, the Aurelia was launched in 1950 and production lasted through the summer of 1958. The Aurelia used the first production V6 engine, a 60° design( developed by Francesco de Virgilio; between 1943, and 1948 a Lancia engineer who worked under Jano,) which grew from 1.8 L to 2.5 L. Prototype engines used a bore and stroke of,68mmx72mm for 1569cc,these were tested from 1946 to 1948. It was an all-alloy pushrod design with a single camshaft between the cylinder banks. A hemispherical combustion chamber and inline valves were used. A single Solex or Weber carburetor completed the engine.Some uprated 1991cc models were fitted with twin carburetors. 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.

Technical data:
- engine: V6
- capacity: 2500 cc
- horsepower: 118 HP
- gearbox: 4+1
- top speed: 180 km/h