Lancia Aurelia B51 Berlina

Vehicle Overview

The Lancia Aurelia B51 Berlina, a noteworthy model in Lancia’s storied history, was introduced in 1950 as a successor to the Aprilia, the pride of Vincenzo Lancia. Designed by Vittorio Jano and featuring the innovative engineering of Francesco De Virgilio, the Aurelia B10 was a revolutionary vehicle with beautiful flowing lines and a 1.75-liter V6 engine. Lancia followed its tradition of providing platforms for external coachbuilders, introducing the B50 and B51 platforms alongside the B10. The B50 platform was tailored for lighter, more streamlined vehicles, often resulting in magnificent roadsters designed by esteemed coachbuilders such as PininFarina, Stabilimenti Farina, and Viotti. Occasionally, the B50 also supported the creation of elegant coupés, though these were less common due to the preferences of the wealthy clientele of that era. In contrast, the B51 platform was designed for heavier, more robust vehicles. It was primarily used for “Giardiniera” cars (station wagons), state limousines, and professional vehicles. The B51’s more substantial chassis could support these larger bodies, but the small engine’s performance was limited when paired with the heavier designs. Additionally, the high prices charged by coachbuilders for these custom bodies, often twice the cost of a standard sedan, contributed to the limited success of cars built on the B51 platform. Of the 99 B51 platforms produced, around 50 were used for Viotti Giardinetta station wagons, leaving a very small number of sedans built on this chassis. Among the rare B51s, one stands out due to its unique provenance. This particular B51 is one of nine vehicles that comprised a special order placed by the Vercelli-based Lancia dealership Bocca with PininFarina. Each car in this order had the same basic design but varied in many details. Bocca’s order revived a tradition from the 1930s, and the resulting cars embodied a combination of luxury and style that is quintessentially Lancia. This Lancia Aurelia B51 Berlina, with its magnetic beauty and historical significance, exemplifies the unique blend of engineering excellence and bespoke craftsmanship that Lancia and its coachbuilding partners were renowned for.