The long search for an Aurelia B12

[simonandjuliet]

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

[Sliding Pillar]

No, I got it from another source.

[Sebastien]

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!

[Sliding Pillar]

Sebastien, I have seen one B12 painted Bleu Lancia that had a beige interior, but I don't know if it was original.
I can take a picture if the fuel filler flap later in the week.
Another difference for the late cars is the three piece prop shaft, see picture of my car below.

Interestingly although all books say that the B12 was made in 1954 or 1955, in fact the last few were only finished during the first week of 1956, see the production record for B12 2376 (5th from last made) below. This car has nearly finished restoration and is in the UK.

[Brian Long]

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 . 

[lancianut666]

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

[stanley sweet]

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.

[Sliding Pillar]

Thanks for the comments about the interior, I shall be covering it with a loose throw when it is used, especially in the back where my son sits, and he will not be allowed to eat anything whilst in the car!

I was looking at the original photos from the Autocar road test report taken in 1956 (Sorry, can't reproduce them as they are subject to copyright) and couldn't see any trace of the screw holes for a roof rack. I couldn't see them either in some photos taken in the early seventies. The reason for this is that it never had them. According to the parts book, Tav 60 No 46, they were discontinued from chassis number 2151.

I checked the speedo, it over reads by about 15% which means if the mileage is also 15% higher, the car has only done about 62,000 miles from new.
The photo below is of the boot with the tools. I have most items (Including the wheel brace which isn't in the photo) but a few are still needed to make the set complete.

[Parisien]

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

[Sliding Pillar]

Nice day for a quick drive, the Oil seed rape comes out earlier every year.

[stanley sweet]

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

[Dilambdaman]

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.

[Charles T]

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.

[Sliding Pillar]

I borrowed a friends ramp today, just to make sure the underside was nice and clean  and to do the grease points.
A good excuse to take some more photos. What I really like about this car is that it is totally correct, all the original bits are present and correct, check out the louvered panels either side of the sump.

[Parisien]

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

P