Exploring the production timeline of the Lancia Aurelia GT

14 June, 2015

data-animation-override>
“Between 1951 and 1958, Lancia produced six recognizable series of the Aurelia B20 GT”

1951

Aurelia B20 GT S1. The first Lancia to carry the Aurelia name was the B10 saloon, a replacement for the Aprilia. Powered by an all-alloy 1754cc V6 engine, the B10 debuted in 1950. The two-door B20 GT appeared the following year, powered by a 1991cc, 56kW version of the B10’s V6. Production: 500

1952

Aurelia B20 GT S2. With its 1991cc V6 now producing 60kW due to a higher engine compression ratio and revised valves, the S2 GT also featured improved brakes, new chromed bumpers, and a revised dashboard. Production: 731

1953

Aurelia B20 GT S3. The V6 was now enlarged to 2451cc, while outwardly the vestigial tail fins that featured on the earlier cars disappeared, and a larger rear window was fitted. Production: 720

1954–’55

Aurelia B20 GT S4. A new de Dion rear suspension was introduced, and the car was now available in left-hand drive for the first time — the B20S (‘S’ for sinistra, or left). Although an Italian-built car, until then most Aurelia GTs were right-hand drive. This also applied to many contemporary Maserati and Ferrari cars, and is generally believed to have something to do with most racing circuits being taken clockwise. The V6 engine was now fitted with more modern Vandervell engine bearings. For the first time, an open version of the GT became available — the B24 Spider (1954–’55). Production: 745 (B20) / 255 (B20S)

1956

Aurelia B20 GT S5. A new split-case transaxle was fitted along with a revised driveshaft with rubber-doughnut–type universal joints and larger drum brakes. Lowered compression and a softer camshaft saw power reduced to 82kW as the car gained a more luxurious character. The B24 Spider was replaced with the B24 convertible. Production: 119 (B20) / 180 (B20S)

1957–’58

Aurelia B20 GT S6. The V6 engine now produced 84kW, plus more torque to offset increased overall weight. Vent windows were fitted along with a chromed strip down the bonnet. The fuel tank was relocated from behind the seats to the boot on later S6 cars. Production: 196 (B20) / 425 (B20S)

Total Aurelia GT production: 3871

Range Rover CSK — the original SUV

5 June, 2026

The Range Rover, thanks to Charles Spencer King, went into production in 1970 boasting an iconic shape that would last until 1996. The vehicle that would create the SUV moniker came about because Rover decided it was time to add a bigger four-wheel-drive vehicle, one with a 100-inch wheelbase, to the model range. Land Rover made a 109-inch wheelbase model but the standard vehicle had a 88-inch wheelbase.
The new model would be more suitable for road use than the existing Land Rover, which was considered to be predominantly for rural use. To make sure it could cope on any road it came standard with the Rover 3.5-litre V8 engine. The body design was originally sketched by King and went into production with only a few minor touch-ups by the Rover styling team.
According to King, “The idea was to combine the comfort and on-road ability of a Rover saloon with the off-road ability of a Land Rover. Nobody was doing it.”

Ford’s Mustang – the endlessly hip American dream machine

28 May, 2026

Fifty or so years ago, the only place in New Zealand to see a Ford Mustang was on the racetrack. In a local market severely constrained by a lack of new motor vehicles, the new North American Ford was a dreamy icon boosted by considerable motorsport success.
Import licences for cars were limited, and if Kiwis travelled abroad, the amount of currency they could take with them was restricted. What’s more, those funds could not be used to buy a car for importation back home. Yet it was OK to spend the money on heavy drinking at a London pub, Gucci shoes, sable fur coats, and excessive stays at the Hôtel Martinez at Cannes in France.
However, any rare Mustang that landed on our shores would not be destined to pose around Auckland’s then trendy Queen Street on a Friday night but would more likely be found in the care of well-known racing drivers on the starting grid at local motor racing tracks.