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THE ITALIAN COACHBUILDER SITE

Lancia Aurelia B52 Coupé Vignale — chassis B52-1015

1952Coachwork by Vignale

THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE

Model dossier

Manufacturer
Lancia
Base model
Aurelia B52
Coachbuilt version
1952 Vignale Coupé; exact chassis B52-1015
Coachbuilder
Vignale
Production period
1952
Body style
Coupé
Chassis
B52-1015
Engine
V6 OHV
Type
One-off
Production
1

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CAR

Coachbuilding, design & conversions

PRICE & SALES RECORD

Vehicle value

Original price
Not documented
Latest recorded sale
Not documented

01 / THE STORY

History & context

The Lancia Aurelia B52 Special Vignale stands as a rare and exquisite testament to the artistry of automotive design, conceived under the masterful eye of Giovanni Michelotti. With only two specimens ever produced—chassis B52?-1015 and B52?-1026—this exclusive creation draws inspiration from the iconic Ferrari 212 Inter, epitomizing the pinnacle of Italian automotive elegance. The production run of the Lancia Aurelia B52 was brief, spanning from 1952 to 1953, with just 98 cars bearing the B52 designation ever gracing the roads. Among these limited numbers, Vignale contributed a mere five examples, each distinguished by subtle variations in coachwork and trim details. Of these, only two were coupes, each embodying a unique narrative of luxury and refinement. Chassis number B52-1015, resplendent in a striking red-orange two-tone color scheme, carries a special connection to Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida, adding a touch of celebrity allure to its already distinguished pedigree, this specimen is part of the Milano Classiche collection. Meanwhile, chassis number B52-1026 embarked on a journey of bespoke luxury, commissioned by Count Christian Orssich de Slavetich, a close confidant of King Peter II of Yugoslavia. Dispatched to Carrozzeria Vignale from the Lancia factory, chassis B52-1026 underwent a transformation under Michelotti’s visionary direction, resulting in an exceptional body design that exuded grace and sophistication. Registered in Zurich on August 17, 1954, by the discerning Count, this automotive masterpiece traversed the roads of Switzerland with an air of regal elegance. Today, the legacy of the Lancia Aurelia B52 Special Vignale endures as a symbol of automotive excellence and exclusivity, cherished by enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its scarcity, coupled with its association with luminaries of the era, ensures its place as a revered artifact of Italian automotive heritage, embodying the timeless allure of luxury and craftsmanship.

02 / TECHNICAL IDENTITY

Specifications & construction

Production & construction

Production
1
Production type
One-off
Chassis construction
Platform chassis for coachbuilt body

Engine & performance

Engine configuration
V6 OHV
Displacement
1,990.97 cc
Power (hp)
69.5 hp
Transmission
4-speed manual
Drive
Rear-wheel drive
Specification notes
B52 technical fields describe the chassis/mechanical baseline only. Vignale-body dimensions, weight and top speed remain unstructured because they are coachwork-dependent.

Dimensions & accommodation

Wheelbase
2,910 mm

Design & manufacture

Designer · Documented
Giovanni Michelotti
Manufacturer · Documented
Lancia
Coachbuilder / Body Builder · Documented
Vignale

04 / INDIVIDUAL HISTORY

Chassis & provenance

Ownership & provenance

Ownership & history · Legacy attribution
Aristocrat-Owned · VIP Owned
Ownership association · Legacy attribution
Christian Orssich de Slavetich
Ownership association · Legacy attribution
Gina Lollobrigida
Ownership scope
These associations may concern individual examples of a model. They do not establish ownership of every chassis. Legacy attributions remain subject to historical verification.
Chassis B52-1015
Chassis number
B52-1015
Year
1952

06 / EVENTS & AWARDS

Events & awards

Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance B52-1015 · Documented
Date
1995
Chassis
B52-1015

RM records B52-1026 as a class winner at the 1995 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance following its KCA restoration.

Essen Motor Show B52-1015 · Documented
Date
2012
Chassis
B52-1015

RM Sotheby's exact-chassis history names B52-1015 Best of Show – Coupé at the 2012 Essen Motor Show.

08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE

Archive

References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.

ReferenceSource type
ACI Storico — Concorso di Eleganza Città di Trieste 2022, Lancia Aurelia B52 Vignale www.clubacistorico.it Institutional concours dossier
Lancia Aurelia B52 technical chassis reference it.wikipedia.org Specialist historical chassis reference
RM Sotheby's — 1952 Lancia Aurelia B52 Coupe by Vignale rmsothebys.com Auction house exact vehicle dossier

10 / CONNECTED HISTORY

Timeline

Chronological history2 dated records
  1. B52-1015 · Event

    Essen Motor Show

THE CONVERSATION

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