Lancia - Lancia Aurelia
The Lancia Aurelia, designed by Vitorio Jano was introduced in 195O with what we now call the First Series. The all new Aurelia had an V6 engine with a combined gearbox and rear axle called a transaxle at the rear. The all alloy engines started off at 1750cc with the Second Series Aurelias having 2 litres, and the 2.5 litre capacity introduced for the Third Series Aurelia. The 4th series was redesignedto have a DeDion system at the rear. Later Lancia Aurelia models up to the 6th series gradually got heavier and more luxurious, so many today like the 4th Series which has the biggest engine capacity fitted in the lightest chassis, with a car which didn't have the swing axles! Lancia also produced couple of open topped Aurelias, the B24S, along with the more spartan B24 Spyder aimed at the American market.
The tyre size for the Lancia Aurelia was the millimetric 165R400, which Blockley produces a superb 165HR400 example of, and remember that these millimetric 165HR400 are tube type as per original. These period correct and steel belted Blockley tyres have the original taller diameter, and provide the best handling possible, in wet or dry. See full details of this Aurellia tyre at the link below:
Note that in more recent times non original but correct looking wheels have been made for the Lancias that take a conventional tyre, due to the expense and low speed rating etc of the only tyre that was available (Michelin).
