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0 V SERIE, 1956
nascita della automobile da Many consider the birth of grand touring cars to have co-
la Lancia Aurelia B20, nell'A- incided with that of the Lancia Aurelia B20 in April 1951. Al-
altro essere d'accordo nella though one can certainly agree with this in principle, it is
tuttavia, a non pensare alla impossible to avoid remarking that, in the context of this
esto fine, del primo V6 mon- particular category of cars, the first V6 assembled on a B20
spetto alla berlina d'origine, was clearly inadequate. It is true that, compared with the
ai due litri di cubatura, ma sedan from which it originated, the engine capacity had
CV) rimaneva decisamente been increased (from 1.75 to two liters), but the power de-
distanza da percorrere velo- veloped by the engine (75 HP) was still too low to allow
dire che, il concetto di gran long distances to be covered at speed. It can be argued
urelia B20, passò solo perché that linking the grand touring concept with the Aurelia
do di inimmaginabili ristret- B20 is acceptable in the light of the period in which it was
hiarito questo, è importan- created, one of considerable hardship across Europe. Hav-
ne non velocissima, la prima ing clarified this, it is important to underline that the first
ncora oggi esiste una dispu- B20, albeit not a really fast car, was extremely elegant. To-
linea. Il telaio era di qualità day, there is still some debate over the true identity of the
tribuzione dei pesi data dal person who created its lines. The chassis was of excellent
lassiche sospensioni Lancia quality, while the gearbox ensured perfect distribution of
oche altre confort di marcia weights to the rear and the classic Lancia suspension sys-
sin da subito che l'aumento tem provided a largely unparalleled combination of driv-
arebbe stata solo questione ing comfort and road holding. It was evident from the
del 1956, alla nascita della V outset that it would only be a matter of time before the
in vendita, la Lancia Aurelia power rating was increased. Indeed, by Spring 1956, which
e le caratteristiche richieste brought the first V Series cars (like the B20 offered for sale),
smo con il motore portato a the Lancia Aurelia had all the characteristics required of a
a, capace di 110 CV per quasi grand touring car: it was now driven by a 2.5-liter engine
AUTO E MOTO CLASSICHE
Classic motor vehicles
