1951 B20 in Carerra Panamericana colours with rally history

[Parisien]

Saw this car mentioned in a classic car magazine as being sold out of Girardos showroom to a Swiss buyer, anyone shed any more light on the car in question?

P

[Sliding Pillar]

A very well known car!
http://www.thornleykelham.com/1950-ferrari-195s/view/1951-mille-miglia-lancia-aurelia-b20gt-series-1#ad-image-13
http://www.girardo.com/sold/sold-1951-lancia-aurelia-b20-gt-series-1/

[DavidLaver]

My favourite photo from both sets.  The showroom ones make it look more like a toy than real.

http://www.thornleykelham.com/1950-ferrari-195s/view/1951-mille-miglia-lancia-aurelia-b20gt-series-1#ad-image-32

Seeing it out on the road in this photo makes me feel a little better about it being restored rather than put on a plinth "as found" in a museum.  Its tricky, but I still think I'd rather this particular one had not been restored...

http://www.thornleykelham.com/1950-ferrari-195s/view/1951-mille-miglia-lancia-aurelia-b20gt-series-1#ad-image-0

[Parisien]

Excellent, anyone know how much of a premium this B20 historic rally car would be compared to an excellent B20 of the same series restored?

P

[the.cern]

I am not sure that the car in image 2 (and possibly image 3) is the Panamericana vehicle. The roofline looks standard to me although the 3rd wiper is in place!!!!

[chriswgawne]

Very recently the nice well known bi-colore red/black 1st Series B20 Pininfarina Speciale car sold at auction for around £175k. This ex Basso car sold for considerably more than that.
Chris

[GG]

Bracco's car is first seen in the 1951 MM as #332. It then went to Le Mans as #33, and afterwards had its roof lowered for the 6 Ore di Pescara, run in August, 1951. See pg. 108 and 119 in the (other) book. That is why the T/K photos show it both with the original roof from MM and Le Mans, and its later lowered roof. 

[DavidLaver]

I think "B20 historic rally car" rather understates this particular car's history.  It is (or was...depending how you view the modifications over time and the extent of restoration...) THE car that came second in the '51 Mille Miglia, AND the Le Mans class winner, AND a two time Panamericana entry.

[the.cern]

Bracco's car is first seen in the 1951 MM as #332. It then went to Le Mans as #33, and afterwards had its roof lowered for the 6 Ore di Pescara, run in August, 1951. See pg. 108 and 119 in the (other) book. That is why the T/K photos show it both with the original roof from MM and Le Mans, and its later lowered roof. 

Thank you for clarifying that Geoff. I must say I thought it odd that such a mistake would be made in the first place and even more odd that it had not been corrected .... unless, as in this case, it wasn't a mistake at all!!!

                               Andy

[chriswgawne]

When I first saw the Bracco car shortly after it arrived in the UK, once I had established to my own satisfaction that it was genuine ( there were several who said it wasn't for ages), I really felt slightly in awe of it. Probably because for years and years Aurelia enthusiasts home and abroad who were far more knowledgeable than me had convinced me that no Aurelia factory competition cars existed.
And then to follow its  restoration at TK and also supply some parts for the car was a real treat and privilege.
For many years I have felt the early 2 litre B20s were under appreciated in terms of their driveability, agility, lightness and finesse so to see this car come alive again and to be reminded of its successful competition history has been a bonus.
Chris

[ITSA]

A couple more pictures here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/136533511@N06/23170273025/in/pool-lancia/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/136533511@N06/22541739824/in/pool-lancia/