One of the most influential designs to emerge from post-WW2 Italy, the classic Aurelia was actually the very first motor car ever to employ a V6 engine.

Designed in wartime by Francesco de Virgilio and launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show, the Aurelia was powered by a 1754cc 60-degree V6 of all-aluminium construction that used overhead valves operated by short push-rods instead of Lancia’s traditional overhead camshafts.

An advanced, unitary-construction design, the Aurelia retained Lancia’s ‘sliding pillar’ independent front suspension, first seen on the Lambda, but used a novel, semi-trailing arm layout at the rear, another world first.

The transmission, too, was unusual, comprising a two-piece prop-shaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle, on which were mounted the inboard brakes, though this was not an entirely new departure.

The original B10 was soon joined by the landmark, Pininfarina-styled B20 coupe, a fastback 2+2 on a shortened wheelbase, which combined sports car perfo...