Featured: The Lancia Aurelia Outlaw European CSL Triples The Horsepower And Sheds Steel For Hand-Formed Aluminum

The Lancia Aurelia Outlaw European CSL Triples The Horsepower And Sheds Steel For Hand-Formed Aluminum

By Petrolicious
November 17, 2021

Where do you take your 1950s Italian grand tourer if you want to chop its top, triple its horsepower, and re-body it in aluminum? Some high-performance hole-in-the-wall garage tucked away in the Motor Valley? How about the Cotswolds in the English countryside?

The latter is where a company called Thornley Kelham has been building the definitive Outlaw restomod versions of the Lancia B20 GT Coupé for the past few years in the town of Cirencester, and the latest iteration to emerge from the paint shop turned restoration and classic motorsport hub is the lightest, fastest, and meanest yet.

Of the nine total Aurelia Outlaws that Thornley Kelham will produce before turning its attention to similar projects with other classics that will become part of the the company’s “Europeans” collection, the final three Aurelias will be specced as European CSL versions, the main features of which are hand-formed aluminum bodywork and an Alfa Romeo engine transplant.

Using a tuned 3.2-liter Busso V6 sourced from more modern Alfa Romeo models like the 156, the CSL sends over 300hp through its five-speed transaxle and limited-slip diff, which is nearly three times the car’s original output, and a significant increase above previous Thornley Kelham Aurelia Outlaws, which mostly used enlarged 2.8-liter Lancia Flaminia V6s producing around 220hp in top spec. Torque has increased from the Flaminia-powered cars’ 160lb-ft output, to around 250lb-ft in the CSL.

In addition to that peachy increase in power is the fact that the CSL is also much lighter thanks to the its metallurgical diet of aluminum in place of steel, weighing in at a feathery 1,100kg (~2425lbs), or 75kg (~165lbs) less than one of the company’s steel-bodied Outlaws. That’s complete with roll cage and air-conditioning, and plenty of leather and alcantara. 

The previous Outlaw builds already marked an overhauling of the Aurelia’s chassis and suspension with modifications for modern damping, more negative camber, and a specially designed independent rear suspension setup that includes inboard disc brakes. The CSL takes another step by giving owners the option to spec their limited-slip, their gear ratios, rack and pinion steering ratio, and even power steering. This is in addition to further tweaks to the already modernized suspension setup.

Like all of Thornley Kelham’s Aurelia Outlaws, the CSLs will feature the shaved rain gutters and distinctive low roofline inspired by the B20 GT driven by Giovanni Bracco in the 1951 Carrera Panamericana, with the exterior also sharing the trademark custom mirrors, hood catches, and Jaguar D-Type style wheels. Also like past Aurelia Outlaws, the CSL eschews its bumpers and much of its moulding for a sleeker look, while the remaining brightwork is plated in a bright nickel finish.

Considering Thornley Kelham makes a point out of looking for the most tired Aurelias to start with—they claim 5,000 hours of work is needed to build an Outlaw—we think these restomods are pretty near faultless outside of the stubbornest purist point of view, and we are keen to get some seat time in one of these new CSL versions, but we want to know what do you think about these reimagined Lancia GTs? The original car was a watershed moment for a market segment that barely existed, so is it sacrilegious to mess with something that was such a revelation in its day? They aren’t making any more of these cars, but Thornley Kelham isn’t making more than three of these CSLs, either.

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abbyconley2003
abbyconley2003
2 years ago

Those are really nice vehicles. It’s a goal of mine to drive one someday. https://www.towingbelleville.com/

Ana Lili
Ana Lili
2 years ago

Beautiful and attractive supercars 1v1 battle

ebizaa
ebizaa
2 years ago

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Valarie Everett
Valarie Everett
2 years ago

The previous Outlaw builds already marked an overhauling of the Aurelia’s chassis and suspension with modifications for modern damping, more negative camber home renovations.

wardner
wardner
2 years ago

Thank you for visiting here. five guys menu prices uk

Rosa Mannelli
Rosa Mannelli
2 years ago
Horea Kaii
Horea Kaii
2 years ago

I love car models that look like this because it kind of takes you back to time.

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Ameliaq21
Ameliaq21
2 years ago

Thanks to visit Here. chick-fil-a breakfast menu

Nicole Siemens
Nicole Siemens
2 years ago

Wonderful car. Foundation repair

Nicole Siemens
Nicole Siemens
2 years ago
arkm Tony
arkm Tony
2 years ago

Elegant and stylish car. One of the best.
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Anyhony Mark
Anyhony Mark
2 years ago

visit our site Still one of the best European cars.

Chad C.
Chad C.
3 years ago

Torn 50/50 on this one. While I appreciate that only the most rough examples are used as donors, people with the skill to make this could just as easily put a tube chassis underneath it and restore the derelict car as best they could. Would this car be less a Lancia if its chassis were also made in-house? With the mentioned liberties taken with the suspension and even the wheels, I don’t think so. It could also lose another 165+ pounds in doing so… The original V6 That came with this car is a large part of its significance. If a builder replaced the Fuhrmann Four Cam in a “reimagined” RSK Spider with a 16V 944s motor they would be beaten. I appreciate the lineage between each of the V6s, both the Aurelia and the Alfa sharing what I’m pretty sure is a 60 degree V angle, and of course there were many Busso V6s paired with a rear transaxle and a De Dion rear suspension like many of the Aurelias. But it could be said that this car is akin to a book that only tells the end of a story. This car examined from above and below along with a Flaminia and an Alfa GTV6 parked next to it show a progression that’s rewarding to discover.

The other 50% of me:

Just look at it…

Kaspar Keil
Kaspar Keil
2 years ago
Reply to  Chad C.

At least for me its pretty simple.. is it one the road or in the scrap heap?

xiberok673
xiberok673
3 years ago

I simply think its a disgrace they swapped the motor For this one or the others Aurelias. I realize the Busso is a stunning motor, no shortcoming with it, yet its still an efficiently manufactured thing, while the Aurelias V6 has the most uncommon differentiation of being the very first V6, which implies the Busso owes its reality to that exceptional motor. https://www.kneepillow.com.au/

Jean-Noël Fermaud
Jean-Noël Fermaud
3 years ago

I just think it’s a shame they replaced the engine… For this one or the others Aurelias. I know the Busso is an amazing engine, no fault with it, but it’s still a mass produced item, while the Aurelia’s V6 has the most special distinction of being the first V6 ever, which means the Busso owes its existence to that special engine.

I don’t have any problem with changing the engine if the engine has little to no significance for the vehicle (think Fiat Panda engine). But this one is truly special. Hopefully the engine in those Aurelias was already dead, but even there I think they should’ve tried to restore it. Anyways, that’s my take 🙂 otherwise, it’s a lovely, lovely car !

air-cooled
air-cooled
3 years ago

1100kgs and 300hp

I would honesty take this over many “hypercars” which are more pose value than real driving pleasure on a country backroad… and that colour, the interior, the wheels… all perfect.

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