THE VEHICLE AT A GLANCE
Model dossier
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 producedchassis B52?-1015 and B52?-1026this 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.
07 / THE VEHICLE IN DETAIL
Photo gallery 15 photographs
Show 9 more photographs Show fewer photographs
08 / FROM THE ARCHIVE
Archive
References held in the vehicle dossier. Their inclusion does not establish that every historical claim has been independently verified.
| Reference | Source 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 |












THE CONVERSATION
Comments 0
Share a memory, a period photograph or a documented detail about this car.