Back to back: Lancia Aurelia B24S Spider or B24S Convertible?

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It may seem like a small difference to the not so trained eye, but the two Aurelias seen here form world’s apart for the Lancisti. On top we see a lovely 1956 B24S Convertible in baby blue that is offered for sale next weekend with Bonhams auctioneers in their ‘Les grandes marques a Monaco’ sale. (see it here), while there's a B24S Spider below it. 

The B24S Convertible was the successor of the Spider and they were both designed by Pininfarina. It does not feauture the lovely waraparound windscreen but is even said to share not a single body panel with it. Recognisable differences, apart from the flatter windscreen with quarter-lights, are its deeper doors with external handles and wind-up windows and one-piece bumpers. There was now also a proper convertible hood providing decent weather protection. It’s slightly less powerful (110bhp) from the 2½-litre V6 engine. ‘More civilised than the uncompromising Spider, the Convertible was also more successful, 521 being sold between 1956 and 1958 as opposed to 240 Spiders.’, writes the auctioneer.

The light blue car with tan interior they offer for sale comes with history running back tow 1961 when the car was registered in Bologna, Italy. It changed hands again in 1968, passing to a gentleman in the nearby town of Ferrara where it has remained ever since: with one owner until 1984 and then with the current vendor. It’s still on its Italian plates and has an ASI certificate. The price estimate is € 280- to 320,000.

Does that seem steep to you? Than hold your breath for the Lancia that RM Sotheby’s offers one day later. This is the uncompromising B24S Spider in its full splendour. And the estimate is set at €800.000 to €1.000.000. The dark blue with tan interior is not its original colour as it was completed on 14 October 1955 in Grigio (grey) over black leather. The auctioneer adds: “It stayed in the famous Gnutti collection in Brescia for many years until 2016. Today, it is beautifully presented in midnight blue with a biscuit tan interior and black carpets, accented by a wooden steering wheel bearing the Lancia logo at its centre; beige-finished wheels; and blackwall tires, creating a handsome and sporting appearance. The car comes with its side screen, jack and wheel wrench, as well as an old FIVA passport and an ASI certificate. It would be a superb entrant in any number of vintage rallies all over the world. See more of it here.

Now what do you think? Is the rarer and purer Spider really worth three times as much?

(Words editor, pictures Bonhams / RM Sotheby's)

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