In the interim, via the forum, internet and interactions with other individuals and companies, I'd been amassing information, contacts and supplies.
As the B12 was progressing, albeit slowly towards being ready for paint, I'd browsed the Thornley Kelham site and spotted this fabulous series III B20 in the correct colour, Amaranto.
https://www.thornleykelham.com/gallery/lancia-aurelia-b20gt-series-3-2/I inquired off them as to how they'd sourced the Amaranto colour. They very helpfully came back to say after a spectrum analysis and further research, this was indeed the exact colour as used in the 50s on Lancia Aurelias.
As this was done in about 2016, they dug out the tints list used to make up the colour required using the Standox system. They even gave me the address of their paint supplier so I could order it .
There then followed another truly facial episode in the B12's story.
Firstly they asked their delivery guys to deliver it to NI, sorry we don't deliver to NI any more due to onerous new regulations implemented after Brexit.
I tried further delivery companies, one said they would but only after I'd applied for an import license in my name and filled out several forms and then paid them roughly a quarter of the value of the paint to cross the North Channel!
I did explore other avenues, and enquired of a local paint shop who informed me that there was a Standox supplier in Belfast, another small celebration took place in my home!!!!
P