1955 Lancia Florida

The Aurelia is a car produced by Lancia from 1950 to 1958, available in sedan, coupé, and convertible versions. More specifically, bare chassis for the construction of "custom-built" models by various coachbuilders were produced from 1950 to 1956. In 1954, with the introduction of the "second series" of the Aurelia sedan featuring a 2.3-liter engine, the production of chassis (B52, B53) intended for coachbuilders was concluded. However, in the subsequent two years (1955–1956), Lancia's production records indicate that 14 chassis equipped with the 2266 cc engine were still built. This very limited production is distinguished by the designations B55 and B56, which, like the earlier B52 and B53, denote different chassis, distinguished solely by the final gear ratio adopted. Essentially, these B55 and B56 chassis (B55S and B56S for left-hand drive) were employed either for Lancia’s internal use or as the foundation for some unique creations by Pinin Farina. These include a B55 chassis (with a shortened wheelbase) used to produce the final coupé of the PF200 series, a B56 chassis configured as a limousine bodywork, and 4 or 5 B56 chassis used for the "Florida" series bodies. Notably, one chassis from this series was sold to Ghia, who built a coupé on it. Finally, a mystery surrounds the "Florida 2" model unveiled in autumn 1957, which may have been developed using one of these rare chassis.

Pinin Farina created a “Florida” two-door prototype and, later in 1955, presented this example (chassis no. B56S-1006) at the Turin and Geneva Motor Shows, where it was purchased directly from the Pinin Farina stand by Kjell Qvale, the main Lancia dealer in the United States. Based on the Aurelia B56S chassis, this car is one of four examples in the four-door configuration and the only one with left-hand drive. The sedan features rear suicide doors, in line with Lancia tradition, and a pillarless design, as well as many striking design elements, such as flat sides with a single crease running just above the wheel wells, headlights integrated into the grille, an inset rear windshield, and flying buttresses. The car changed hands several times before 1993, when Jules M. Heumann, chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, acquired it and owned it until 1996. In 2000, the car became part of another prestigious collection, that of Mr. Corrado Lopresto. This example won Best in Class at the 2010 Villa d’Este Concours, as well as at Turin and Ludwigsburg, where it also received a special jury prize for its design. The significance of this car goes beyond its breathtaking lines. It represents a turning point in automotive design history. Until the 1970s, this car influenced global automotive production. The previous monolithic design trend, characterized by rounded, compact shapes as if carved from a solid block, was replaced by an architecture composed of interlocking panels. The void in the roof structure enhances its expressive power.