1953 Turin Motor Lancia Ghia Show Car at the McPherson College Car Show in Kansas. Could there be two?

By the Editor

Last week Bob Dinkins (you will learn more about Bob below) sent us a few photos from the College Automotive Restoration Students Car Show held at McPherson College in Kansas, on May 3rd. Dinkins asked if we’d be interested in a few photos of a rare Lancia. Of course!

We recalled that there was a similar car shown in VeloceToday. But when, where? Ah, speak, memory.

We checked the highly useful VeloceToday database (you can too!) buy typing in “Lancia Ghia” and came with an article by Paul Sable, a retired University Professor and now a full time Car Guy and concours judge. And an expert on Ghia. Paul attended the Lugano Concours in 2024 and photographed another Ghia Lancia at the event. And although a Ghia fan, Paul was not aware of this one.

That’s because there were only two made. So, when Dinkins photographed the other Ghia B52 last week, we were able to put the two together.

Both cars were built on the B52 Aurelia chassis; the white and blue example is B521055, and the Lugano car is B521061. In the Aurelia history, first was the B10 berlina, at 1574cc, then the B21 with 1991cc, followed by the B20GT coupe, and then the B52, with a 1991cc V-6 and slightly longer wheelbase. Why the B52s were named “B Juniors” is a good question. Only 98 were constructed and sent to various coachbuilders for demanding customers. Some of the most beautiful and evocative Lancias were on the B52 chassis, and included many by Pinin Farina, Bertone, Vignale and others. Ghia bodied these two, reportedly designed by Boano.

1952 Lancia 2000 B52 Aurelia “B Junior” chassis B521055. Photo by Bob Dinkins

Nicely restored Aurelia engine. Photo by Bob Dinkins

Italian cars built before 1953 often had right hand drive. Photo by Bob Dinkins

The sister car, a 1953 Lancia B32 Junior by Ghia as seen at Lugano Concours in 2024. Chassis B521061. Photo by Paul Sable

Paul Sable: Interestingly, I am a Ghia expert and never knew this car existed! Photo by Paul Sable

Who is Bob Dinkins

Bob is passionate about cars, both real and scale, woodworking, technology, art and family. Bob is from the Kansas City area, in Olathe Kansas. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Art, and has used artistic skills in a variety of successful businesses and hobbies.

Since the first car he owned in 1969, a 1940 Nash LaFayette, he has owned 52 different cars and currently drives a 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2008 Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder.

Bob with his Porsche Boxster.

During his career Bob has owned several different companies, mostly in the corporate field specializing in online training development. Since retirement Bob has gotten deeply involved with woodworking, creating furniture such as tables and cabinets. His most recent project has been buying and selling old hood ornaments which that he mounts on wood and adds LED lights when it’s appropriate.

These are unique…take a closer look. Dinkins photo.

He also volunteers at the Kansas City Automotive Museum and is a 20-year member of Car Guys, a Kansas City enthusiast club. Being in Kansas City, we asked Bob if he knew the late Michael Lynch. “Yes, Michael Lynch was very active in our group and made some fantastic presentations. His automotive knowledge always stunned everyone,” said Bob. More photos from various events can be seen on his website.

And he builds Pochers

“I started out collecting Danbury Mint and Franklin Mint when I wanted model cars, but it wasn’t long before I wanted to build them myself again. Like most model builders, I started out with the basics: AMT and Revell plastic models and the like. But about 15 years ago I realized I was looking for more detail, higher quality and more challenge. In short, I got the bug to try a Pocher kit. I’ve known about Pocher kits for a long time but never had the time or money to try one. Pocher kits were one of the first ones that included lots of detail, like real wire wheels, leather seats, and lots of working parts.”

Stunning work on the Pocher Alfas. Dinkins photo.

VeloceToday will present Bob’s article on building Pochers in a future edition…

They are historians, authors, editors, photographers, columnists, journalists, judges, drivers, restorers, artisans, collectors and constructors. They hail from the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Germany, France, Belgium and Italy. Here are the names of thirty-three whose contributions made the year 2024 one to remember.

Jeff Allison, Gary Axon, Giles Chapman, Bob Cullinan, Rodney Diggens, Joseph Duray, Brandes Elitch, Graham Gauld, Greg Glassner, Bob Harrington, Joe Hurwich, Stefan Ivanov, Vince Johnson, Jackie Jouret, Allen R. Kuhn, Dale LaFollette, James Lanoway, Frederic Levaux, Bernard Linck, Roberto Motta, Herb Miska, Chris Nugent, Willem Oosthoek, Paul Sable, Charley Seavey, Jonathan Sharp, Jim Sitz, Roy Smith, Sean Smith, Pete Vack, Hugues Vanhoolandt, Paul Wilson, Robert Young

Photo courtesy Nigel Matthews.

Story and photos by Paul Sable

After attending as a judge over 200 concours during the past 30 years, including 20 years at Pebble, 28 at Amelia plus a host of others, I have come to know many American and European cars. So, since I was invited to attend the 3rd Lugano Concours (held 17 May 2024) in Switzerland as a judge (with the added benefit of being a spectator at Villa d’Este), I accepted the invitation.

I was really looking forward to seeing some unique and perhaps rare cars that I have never seen before. Plus my wife and I have never been to Switzerland, and Villa d’Este was a real treat. Here is an overview of this unique and enjoyable concours event, which has never been the subject of an article in VeloceToday.

Vintage Bus for the Judges.

The Lugano event was spectacular. The quantity of cars (under 70) was delightful, which were displayed in connecting plazas in the beautiful city of Lugano. I was truly moved by a few things:
• The beautiful plazas with shops, restaurants and the display of cars, all on red carpets.
• It was truly a community event (no tickets or fees) with families and car enthusiasts seeing fan cars and having fun. A very informal and enjoyable affair.
• The quality of the cars was excellent with the classes well represented.
• Our hosts treated the judges royally and, in fact, had a period bus to transport us to the many events they had scheduled. The spectators, vendors, administration and participants were all very friendly and enthusiastic.
• But for me, seeing and experiencing cars I have never seen before and, in fact, a few I never knew existed, was a highlight. My favorite car that I failed to take a picture of was a 1937 Mercedes Benz 500 K, built by Graber and all original and in the same family since new. The elderly gentleman was delightful to talk to and he drove his car to the show. Seeing three custom coach work Lancias was amazing and the Ferrari Class was superb.

Let’s go to a Concours! Some fellow Judges (all interestingly from Pennsylvania) were Judge Tim McNair and his wife Amy and Judges Mike Tillson and Susan Tatios.

Of 30 judges (at least 10 from the US) judging 10 classes, this was one concours that they all enjoyed and they also were impressed with the diversity and quality of cars. The show was fun and that is how I would describe the entire weekend.

I judged the cars by Graber class, which were fantastic and some are highlighted in the photos. The Swiss Graber is not as well known as Ghia, Pininfarina, etc. but did great and exciting coachwork. They also had a Mercedes Benz Gullwing class with 6 of the best MB 300SL’s I have ever seen, all years, all colors and all top quality.

Allow me to share with you some of the unique cars that I favored due to their rarity, uniqueness, or coachbuilders.

1953 Lancia B32 Junior by Ghia.

Interestingly, I am a Ghia expert and never knew this car existed!

1954 Fiat 1100 TV by Carrozzeria Canta resembles a miniature Studebaker.

Another view of the Canta Fiat.

1953 Lancia Aurelia B52 Vignale Coupe

1953 Lancia Aurelia B52 Vignale Coupe again.

1963 Alvis TE-21 Graber Super Coupe.

1955 Giulietta Sprint Cabriolet Prototype, 1961 Giulietta ‘Goccia’ by Michelotti.

1938 Fiat 1500 Coupe Touring Superleggera.

1939 Alfa 6C 2300 by Graber.

1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300.

1953 Fixed Head Bentley MK VI coupe by Graber.

1934 Packard 1001 by Graber.

1933 Bugatti Type 55.

1927 Isotta Fraschini 8AS Fleetwood Coachworks

Lancia Aurelia B52 Vignale Cabriolet.

Lancia Aurelia B52 Vignale Cabriolet, take two.

1952 Ferrari 212 Ghia.

1952 Lancia B52 by Bertone.

Please welcome Paul Sable, a retired University Professor and now a full time Car Guy. He has been a Chief Judge or Honorary Chief Judge at 80 Concours events around the world. He is currently writing a book with Geoffrey Hacker about hand made cars of the 40s and 50s, and is an acknowledged expert on Ghia.