Lancia D24 – 0005 – Barchetta 1953-54

With Vitorio Florio on board as heaed of experimental design, Lancia had sped out of post-war gloom with the Aurelia that brimmed with technical advancements (60 degree V6, all independant suspension, inboard brakes and transaxle gearbox).  This advanced production model was naturally well-suited to competition and took a succession of impressive results (second overall in the Mille Miglia and a resounding 1-2-3 on the Targa Florio in 1952).

The D24 marked the most important moment of the Lancia post-war history. It is a purposed-built racecar with very advanced ingredients : V6 3.3 litre engine with overhead camshaft and 256 HP, a sophisticated transaxle gearboc with synchromeshed 2-3-4, chrome-molybdenum seel tubular space frame chassis with short wheelbase, independant front wishbone suspension, quarter-elliptic springing to rear.

The D24 proved instantly successful and caused considerable success in all major events in 1953/54. Amongst others, the D24 won in 1953 the Carrera Panamericana (1-2-3 with Fangio, Taruffi and Castellotti and in 1954 the Giro di Sicilia (Taruffi), the Mille Miglia ( Ascari), the Targa Florio (Taruffi), the Porto Grand Prix ( 1-2 with Villoresi and Castellotti), the Bolzano-Mendola Race (Castellotti), the Grand San Bernadino Race (Castellotti), the Bologna Raticosa Race (Castellotti) and the Catania Etna Race (Taruffi).

Very regrettably, the death of Ascari (testing a Ferrari) and the increasing financial difficulties led to the sad moment in july 1955 when the Lancia Racing Department with most of the cars was handed to Ferrari.

This particular, D24 – 0005, Winner of the 1954 Targa Florio, the 1954 Giro di Sicilia and the 1954 Porto Grand Prix 1954, is the only D24 in private hands, forming part of the European Collection. Having been given by Lancia to Eva Peron in 1955, the car was purchased and returned to Europe by Italian colector Count Zanon, in the eighties. In 2000-2001 Specialist Sean Danather restored the car to original body.

Wallpapers: Lancia D24 – 0005 – Barchetta 1953-54