Lancia Motor Club

That's a really nice car Ade. You have done well I am sure and I am also sure you will really enjoy the particular characteristics of a good B12 which hasn't been messed around. The rigidity of the body, the original Lancia soundproofing, the torque of the engine, the big brakes and the overall gearing make for a very usable package in todays traffic. And its the right colour combination as well!
The only thing I would be just a little nervous of is the fact that the engine has done so few miles in the last 46 years but you will know all about that and you will keep a close eye on water and oil levels I am sure.
I have yet to meet a B12 owner who hasn't really enjoyed his car.
Chris

Very nice.   ;)

Congratulations Ade!

Lovely looking B12 with a brilliant provenance, wishing you many safe and happy miles in THE car of the Aurelia range.

Stuff it full of one of the anti-rust waxes and rain will hold no fear.

P

Excellent Ade! Congratulations !

Looks very nice, especially with the correct hose clamps on the engine to radiator water pipe.
(Distributor cap is from a Flaminia however, as is the coil I think.... ;))

We all look forward to your running and driving reports.

Any pictures of the interior?

The Aurelia cognescenti have been biting their collective tongues for quite a few decades, but you know the truth eventually leaks out.

Loving the running in instructions, you can almost detect the love lavished on this B12 even from this distance!

Mine is a long way from being fully appreciated, but some day!

P

Lovely car Ade

Immaculate and I can appreciate your dilemma..... Did you trailer it to that nice muddy farm track in the photo?

Well done Ade, that is a really lovely car and was obviously meant to be . Enjoy

You are a very fortunate man Ade!! Your perseverance has paid off and your reward seems well deserved.

                                       Andy

It looks fabulous. Congratulations.
Regards, John.

Congratulations Ade,
Absolutely beautiful, I honestly don't know how anyone could resist driving it, 2000 miles in 46 years ???

Brian
8227 8)

That really does look mint!
congratulations  :)

Delightful, and thats just the cat!

It must seem almost Tutankamen like, the B12 slowly revealing its secrets to those who might dare to pry, and then  be delighted at whats found.

No doubt more will be unearthed over time, enjoy!

P

Congratulations. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever". I am looking forward to seeing it at the sliding pillar rally.

Magnificent! Brian will agree Berlinas are beautiful. Watch the cat though. I list a decent early Beta interior to claw stropping.

Congratulations, Ade! It looks as though the secret is out now; the B12 is the best of the Aurelias.
I've had mine for nearly 45 years and it never fails to delight. They thrive on use and are more than capable of use in today's traffic but given an open road they come into their element....rain, hail or shine!
Happy B12 motoring.
Brian

Very nice - Look forward to seeing it in June !

I rather liked the tartan ......

We can easily cruise at 130 kph all day in ours and then accelerate from there if necessary. And so quiet with all the original soundproofing, wind deflectors and doors that shut properly.
Lancia only sold 2,400 of them I think but good ones seem to be very sought after in Italy now and come up rarely.
Chris

Chris, Ade,

A better photo of my B12 after its body restoration.
Happy B12 motoring to you all!

Ade,

Your original interior is very nice!
Do you know the name for the color ?
Is it Nocciola (Hazelnut)?
Makes a change compared to the more usual grey (pane grigio)!

Regarding comfortable cruising speed: I can cruise my B12 at an indicated 140 km/h (87 mph) all day. However when I check it with a GPS app, I am only doing a real 120 km/h (75 mph)! I have no explanation why the speedometer is so optimistic. However I find those 120 km/h quite sufficient, and feel safe and relaxed at that speed. As it is also the legal speed limit in Switzerland on motorways, I am not hindering traffic flow :)

If I am not mistaken there is an old agreement between European car makers to let their speedometers show 10 % too much. With all the cars I have owned this has in any case been so.

If you caught speeding here in France they immediately knock off 10% to allow for speedo error.

Is this the data sheet from FCA - acquired via their website ?

Ade,
Thank you for the confirmation of the Nocciola - it must be very rare, as all the dark B12 I remember are with the panno grigio cloth - apart from the special Bao Dai B12, now at "The Automobile", that has original leather interior, separate front seats, and a floor shift!
Yours is a very late (1955) B12, last one was B12-2380.
Mine is a very early (1954) (LHD) B12S, car B12S-1058. I seem to remember some detail differences between early and late cars, for example the tank fill cover in the boot has a different catch.
I also see from the photos you posted that your car does not have the mounting points for a luggage rack - all other B12 I know have them.
You and your family will enjoy the B12 - it is a fabulous touring car!

I think all B12s had a one-piece propeller shaft supported by two bearings as per the photograph. (Never been out in the wet?)
Lancia had on-going problems with Aurelia propshaft vibration and tried all sorts of variations in various derivatives in an effort to cure it. Mine was so out of balance when I first bought it that rear view vision was impossible through the mirror and the glove box lid  would pop open!
We had Dott. Ing. Pianta at Castlemaine several years ago as guest-of-honour and he said, whilst in my B12, that Veglia never really sorted out the speedo gearing in the B12s. Mine reads nearly 20% fast; both indicated speed and distance.
I resisted filling in the roof-rack fittings when restoring the body and they are quite a conversation piece!
A bit of minor fettling on the B12 before this weekend and then off on a 1800km trip to Canberra and back. AutoItalia....hundreds of Italian cars, motorbikes, etc. on the lawns of the old Parliament House there . 

Hmmm....if only we could order them still....It looks like my S1 Appia's bigger and more sophisticated brother, the interior cloth is gorgeous shame mine is not like that
Clarkey

This is an incredible car. Museum quality and a good museum at that. I'd make my passengers show very recent dry cleaning tickets before I allowed them to sit on those seats.

Incredible quality and originality, am sure you're as pleased as punch, every photo revealing even nicer detail than the last, quite a contrast to mine!

P

You've made the tyres dusty! Looks gorgeous. That's a nice line from the roof into the boot.

Just caught up with this thread and green with envy! I got close to buying a B10 long ago and always regretted not doing so. Of all the Fulvias I've owned the saloons were always the most practical and endearing to use so not surprised by the comments re the B12.

Gorgeous car Ade, look forward to seeing it on the SPR.

Robin.

Beautiful car, and she does contrast well in black against the yellow in the background.

I agree with you about the oil seed rape.  My father farmed in Lincolnshire and I am sure it used to come into flower in early May.

Just fantastic, but what about the sleeves on the leaf springs :o ?!

P

Have those gaiters on my Sport 1600. Still going strong after 100,000 miles but not as clean.....

It really is fantastic - and great that it's fallen into the right hands to keep it that way.

Ade, fascinating pictures of the bottom of your car!

I did not know that those louvred panels each side of the engine ever existed!
I checked the parts book, and they are in Tav. 62, pos. 22 and 23, Grembiale destro e sinistro completo (a richiesta) - so it was an option - does it appear on a period price list, I wonder?
There is one type for the LHD, and one for the RHD car! With two small closing plates, pos. 19. and the necessary screws, pos. 73!
Grembiale could be translated "Apron".
I wonder who ever specified this option on the purchase of a B12 berlina.... and how many of those are still existing today..!

I shall from now on check all B12 to see if I can find another one so equiped!  ;)

Well done!

PS: The gaiters on the rear leaf springs are also interesting - I have the same on my Lambda, now I know who produced them!

Hi Ade, are we going to see this car in the flesh at the AGM ?

Ade, achingly fabulous........and thats just the rapeseed field as for the B12, words fail me!

P

Provoked by Sabastien's finding I searched the parts catalogue from January 1954 to see what that might reveal. The louvered panels are not there, so they must have been introduced with the B12. Comparing the two "tavole" I found various interesting differences. The most striking is that on the earlier cars the front bumper seems to be mounted on a bolt with a spring at the back. Has anyone ever noticed if the front bumper on a B10 can be pushed backwards? Of course they might have rusted too much. Incidentally there ar no springs on our B20, so presumably they only went on to the berlina models.

I thought about starting a new thread entitled 'The long search for an Aurelia B12 number 2' as it took me 3 to 4 years to find ours but as there are so few around I reconsidered and decided to add to this thread.
I am on my own here this week and so its a good opportunity to get on with some car related things so I have started refitting our B20 S1 which has been stripped and repainted its original black colour. This car has never been rusty and so is a pleasure to work on. We have owned and driven it for well over 20 years and being an early car it has a character all of its own.
Anyway, whilst Jacky is away I have taken the  the opportunity to get the front seats in our Fulvia GTE 'daily driver' restitched and refoamed locally. The seat covers themselves are like new.
(The same guy is refurbishing our Ercole leather saddle type seat which is a work of art but that's another story.)
Therefore my current daily driver for the last week has been the B12 and what a capable car it is whether on the Autostrada, in the hills or just cruising around. Its quiet, comfortable and refined with great brakes and I really enjoy driving it.
Chris

Is that a side exit exhaust...?

Or the cat with a bandage on its tail

Hoping to see lots more pictures whilst J is away !

Yes, its a side exhaust on one side only using a 2 into 1 under the floor and its quiet!
It was on this car when we bought it in Europe in the early 1990s. At that time the car itself  was pretty complete but had a B12 2.3l engine (which on opening it up was actually 2.5l!) with a nice pair of Weber 36s on top and a 'longer' transaxle as it was purportedly being readied for La Carrera Panamerica!
Money changed hands to three people in the end - one for the car as it stood, the second for the original engine and the third for some paperwork, the original front axle and the original transaxle.
What particularly attracted me to it was the apparent absence of any corrosion anywhere and at that time I was trying to obtain one each of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th series B20s for future restoration. 1st Series were very few and far between (as they are today) and this car looked like it could be put on the road at minimal extra cost which is what happened and until 3 years ago when the Fulvia GTE arrived it was our daily driver over here in the fine weather.
Over the 25 years or so of ownership I have refitted the original engine (having rebuilt it with new pistons etc) but then a couple of valve springs broke on the M3 and I lunched a piston comprehensively. After that I changed all the valve springs. I have also had the mainshaft in the transaxle fracture - no idea why - but I have grown to like driving it very much as it is so tactile being so light, quiet and nimble. When the Fulvia arrived I decided to have the body stripped and taken back to its original black and this exercise has taken well over 18 months. The end result is superb and I am just beginning to refit the car which is a pleasure as there is no new metal apart from one door skin which had filler in it from a bump and the rhs sill which was the incorrect shape from the same bump by the A post. I have had a complete correct fabric covered wire loom made as this seemed wise so I will fit that and as all the trim is aluminium apart from the headlamp rims, its just needs polishing to bring it back.
Early B20's, particularly S1  now seem to have been discovered by the cognoscenti according to one or two dealers I regularly chat to and so I am looking forward very much to driving it again soon. The only negative is that I think we are going to want to have the car fully retrimmed as it was done in the 80s but not very well.
Chris 

Where do you buy sheets of filter foam? Or is foam foam...............?

Your secret is safe with me......

Ciao su e- bay pubblicita' autoradio condor   per b12   vedi foto .

The only time I have seen a radio fitted to a B12 - very nice!
It is not the same as the advertisement shown by Andrea.

I have a radio for mine, a period version (with buttons) but not a Condor ( whats the make on Sebastiens photo?), not seen a B12 Condor radio like that for sale on the net.


None quite the same on this search.


http://www.subito.it/annunci-italia/vendita/usato/?q=autoradio+condor


P

Incomincia a comprare la pubblicita' su e -bay poi la radio uscira'...........

I think the Condor Automatic that Ade is looking for came out in 1958, so it was fitted to late B20s, and Convertibiles, and sometimes retrofitted to older Aurelias.

The radio in the picture I took of the B12 interior should also be a Condor, but of an earlier model, of which I can find no reference on the web. I assume it is of the same age as that B12, which was a very original car in Sicily. What I found amazing then was the front plate, which had exactly the same finish as the dashboard.

I have an Autovox radio for my B12. It is in two parts; a tuner section which fits in the dashboard and a power supply section which I think is fitted in the alcove up in the bulkhead where the handbrake cross arm goes.
It has push buttons and a three band selector switch. The wiper switch has to be moved to the spare hole under the dashboard beside the heater fan switch, etc to allow the two knobs for the radio to be accommodated.
It has the matching 'filigree' surround, matching knobs etc. Trouble is, it uses a vibrator power supply, vacuum tube valves, but it works. I haven't fitted it because I don't want to punch a hole in the body for an aerial.
If you want an old-style modern radio have a look at the audiolabs website where they have a good range of modern radios with optional 'period' knobs, escutcheons etc.

http://vintagecarradio.co.uk sell refurbished period radios and also period radios upgraded with FM and I-pod sockets. They aren't cheap though.

Slightly off topic - the radio for the 1952 B20 was an Autovox, and predates this discussion by about 6 years. Its restoration was interesting: first, three vintage radio restorers in the US wouldn't touch it. Finally found a vintage radio buff in Trieste willing to take it on! He had to hunt hard, but found a power diagram somewhere, and a power source on Ebay, then proceeded to rebuild in detail. Shipped this 30 lb object back, no joy in that either. Lots of detail in his writeup of the restoration:

https://www.depoi.net/en/2017/restoration-autovox-car-radio-lancia-aurelia-b20 (https://www.depoi.net/en/2017/restoration-autovox-car-radio-lancia-aurelia-b20)

The radio I had for my B50 Cabriolet was one of the Square type. It was for a B20, but the B50 had a much shorter slot for it to fit in, so I had it converted to modern internals with FM and a fly lead for a external mobile phone connection (The cost is long forgotten.... but I know it wasn't cheap!)

The radio that is currently in the B12 is a modern retro style Blaupunkt, it has the filigree finish of the dash, but it also has a surround, so does not fit as nicely as the ones in Sebastien's or my original radio photos. (The one in my photo does have the  filigree finish, but it is rather worn!!) and doesn't have the lovely matching buttons. I wonder how many of these original B12 radios were made, considering there were (at least) two different styles there can't be that many around.

The B12 already has an aerial mounted on the wing, so I don't have to worry about drilling a hole, but I did have this dilemma on the B50. In the end a very kind LMC member (sorry I can't remember who  :-[) gave me an aerial for under body mounting, this might be just what you need for your B12 Brian.

http://www.chromelondon.com/underbody-chassis-aerial-antenna-new--universal-3598-p.asp

The B12 is featured in an article in the December 2017 Classic & Sports Car magazine.
Written by Martin Buckley, who really enjoyed driving it, his summing up reads:- "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."

Inspired by Ade and after a shorter search I have also acquired (nice but not as concours as Ade's) from Italy. We drove it home last weekend, and now in the process of registering and giving it good mechanical review and service.

I concur with Martin Buckley's statement that it is a great saloon, with great driving appeal.

Here is our car at the summit of Col de Mont Cenis. We have called her Aurora!!!!

Congratulations again Tim, looking forward to updates and photos as you find your way around your B12, do enjoy and welcome to the "club"!

P

Well done Tim. These cars ooze class.

Two stunning cars. Such understated elegance....so far removed the CAD designs of today.

My copy of this months C&C landed this evening. Apparently I have to do the ironing before I can read it....

Guy

Excellent news Tim, I am sure it will continue to give you huge pleasure!!

I'm just wondering how the neighbours will react to the now desperately needed rather large extension that will be needed to the garage!!!!

                                          Andy

You are right Andy.... I need to sell a few (but which???? I love them all)

I think you need to invest in a storage facility Tim then keep adding to the collection. There must still be some gems that you need to own. After all, they are investments as well as objects of desire.

When is the collection Being opened to the public ;D

Brian
8227

In at number three of this months top features in Classic and Sports Car.........

http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/seven-unmissable-classic-car-articles-december-issue-csc?utm_medium=EMAIL&utm_campaign=&utm_content=CLAS%20ENews%20Digest%209th%20November%20(1)::Hyperlink_20171109_102333045&utm_source=20171109

Lovely piece, but then I'm a tad biased!

Great pics of the B12 on the move, looks a lot more elegant, and all I can say about the leaning on the corners was that it was down to poorly cambered roads!

Martin clearly delights in his older Lancias, long may it continue and thank you Ade for getting the B12 into the spotlight again.

P

Ade, was being facetious, having owned DS/Cx's and 2CVs for a period of nearly 10 years off and on,  am well aware of what body roll/soft ride is,  and in relative terms the B12 doesn't look too bad, but it was of its day and thats how they were set up.


P

Off topic but I loved Dyanes back in the day and loved their roll but I never was in a position to see how the steering coped. It seems to develop a lot of toe-out on extreme angles from your excellent photo.

Back on topic I thought my B12 lent into roundabouts and exits a lot so am comforted that this is a characteristic and that I can put a rebuild of the sliding pillar on the back burner. I was mightly impressed with the handling especially on fast corners, but it does feel like it wants to understeer on slow tight ones. Maybe I should be using more throttle - but it was early days in getting to know the car.

On a slightly different tack, I subscribe to the other Classic car magazine as normally I enjoy its selection of cars and find the articles of more interest, but having enjoyed nearly as much the Rolls Royce Phantom II Continental article, I've now subscribed to Classic and Sports car too!

P

Tim - Once you get the measure of it I'd have a chat with Tim Burrett about the handling, tyre pressures, toe in / out, damper settings, driving style.  Maybe have him try it for an opinion.

I was tempted to put a Photoshopped ticket on the screen for parking in Portofino. Very nice though. If only............

Where are all the people?

Season's greetings to all us lucky B12 owners!
For too long the B12 has been ignored; thank goodness that Ade's magnificent example has thrown the spotlight on this great car.
Happy Lancia motoring in 2018 to all.
Brian Long.

Thats fantastic. Years ago, my son and I drove from Torino down to Sienna, and he picked this "spot of green" to stop and see nature. Trapped for a while in a sea of vespas, we managed to find some green, some blue water, and a lot of people, no interesting cars! Beautiful spot, must have been lovely off season.

Continuing the theme.... Happy Xmas and a merry new year from B12-2122 aka Aurora. Now 459 UYY

They're beautiful cars. They look imposing enough to have been used for high-ranking government officials. Were they ever?

Just magnificent gentlemen, thank you for those uplifting photos, sorry to say I can't post up a pic of mine as it still needs some paint, etc etc!


P

Thank you Frank. We are just trying to motivate you over the line. You have done the easy bit (bet it didn't feel like it!) putting it together will take super human effort but you are more than up to the challenge. In bocca al lupo!!!

Well a quick google yeilded the fact that one was used by Bao Dia the last Emperor of Vietnam while in exile in France!

Bought by The Automobile magazine and they did a few articles and write ups on it, not sure if they still have it.


P

Tim I am plenty motivated, just my body/paint man isn't! I have boxes of spares etc, my mechanic on standby and the strength and tenacity of one of those comic super heroes, as of yet to no avail!

Which reminds me of a mate of mine who did Italian for 3 years at school and when at an Italian restaurant in London, thought he'd impress the waitress with a line or two, alas his memory and or pronunciation weren't up to scratch and instead of saying he was as hungry as a wolf, said he was as randy as wolf, we couldn't understand why she never took the rest of our order!!!!!


P

Continuing the B12 greetings theme, Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year to all from B12 - 1755 which is now 580UYO and  its owners.

Another one ...

Happy Christmas and a merry new year from Switzerland and B12S-1058

Looks like the same colour as my Appia, whatever the colour is called  ???

Stop it! I haven't the money or the space for another Lancia.

As the Borg say.......resistance is futile............ ;D


P

The Classic & Sportsocar article has now been published online:-

https://www.classicandsportscar.com/features/seductive-saloon-lancia-aurelia-b12?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_28/08/2021&utm_term=Lancia+Aurelia+B12+link&utm_id=101463&sfmc_id=0034K00000B46UfQAJ

Nice article - but then I am biased!!

But you need to find the correct radio......

Great, which months edition was this originally in?

P

Very nice!
Made me want one  ;D

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223588371468?hash=item340ee7cc0c:g:K2gAAOSw5KVdLMMZ

Answer earlier in thread

P

That's the one, December 2017

Just a belated update, whilst sorting through and cleaning a variety of parts, one of which was the original radio, when finally clean, it turned out to be a Condor, not quite the same as in advert nor Ades, but a Condor nevertheless!

P

Is it like this as in mine - Autotune back in the 50's.

I had it converted to FM but still the auto tune bit works. Magic bit of string....

Yes it was a 2 box device with a powersupply box with valves etc behind the dash.

No Tim, had subtle "Condor" inscribed just above the pushbuttons and under the tuning window, so subtle you couldn't read it under the 1950s Portuguese grime. Yes, secondary power supply box too, I dread the thought of opening them and trying to refurbish!

P

As can be seen, needs quite a bit of work, can anyone recommend an Italian/Condor parts source?

Note the automatic aerial reference on the label.

P

Label pic

P

Are you definitely taking to Ardennes? 

Yes.