Conrero

[Richard Fridd]

From www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C389740#

[Sebastien]

Lancia Barchetta B20 Sport Spyder./Conrero, Engine 2500cc, The car was restored finally and is in mint condition. Chassis number B20- 3076 ,Motor number B20- 2726

Drove the old MilleMiglia        . Ask for a proof! Which year, which driver?

B20-3076 is a 1954 RHD (!)  B20
An argentinian contraption, for sale for years, using pieces from a LHD B10S, and who knows what else!

[JohnMillham]

Whatever its history, I'd love it! Must get an extra lottery ticket or two this week!
 Regards, John

[Dikappa]

Looks a tad toooo new...  I would suspect it's a reconstruction....  Maybe I've got an engine and an axle lying around somwhere too....

[DavidLaver]

I'll love to see Chugga have a go at building something like this or an Aprilia barchetta.  He makes the "normal" stuff look too easy.

David

[Sebastien]

When I analyse why this "for sale" advertisement angers me so much I realise it is not the car itself:

That car is a nice evocation of the best period in sports car racing, the fifties. It uses a good Ferrari racing barchetta shape, and an Aurelia engine.

What really angers me is those shameless traders that invent histories to go with their wares, just to get hopefully a lot of money in the end.

One thing however might foil them: the registration offices.

Here in Switzerland, for old cars, for example an imported Lambda, the registration office requires a FIVA card before it even starts looking at the car. And believe me, the FIVA experts are reasonably competent, and know where they can get marque and car specialists to assist them.
Even an argentinian Pur Sang Bugatti replica is very difficult to register normally in CH. It is not an original Bugatti, nor does it comply with modern laws.

I have no idea what price is requested for this "Conrero" barchetta, I am sure it is "too much".

Maybe one of the reasons that poor nice evocation car has been for sale for years.

[chriswgawne]

Each time I have seen a Conrero Aurelia based car for sale (is it always the same actual car maybe? There was a silver one for sale for years a few years ago.), I have thought it is a good looking shape and I have then wondered how it would drive. I have then tried to find out when and where it was constructed without success even with the wonders of the Internet.
Were they built in the 50's, is it a modified Aurelia floorpan and did they compete in period? Is there such a thing as a genuine Conrero? And is this one therefore a 'copy' Conrero?

As an aside, the selling dealer, Tony Erker often has interesting cars for sale and seemed to have a good source of old Greek Lancia's in varying condition a few months ago. Currently he is advertising a 4th series B20 project which is missing its engine and transaxle. This car is actually a 2nd Series B20 and apparently is now sold.

[Sebastien]

Chris, here is what I know.

In april 2010 a firm called "Reklus" in Argentina was offering a Lancia Aurelia barchetta 1953 for sale.

To get some idea of their work go to:
http://www.rekluscars.com/english.html

The craftmanship on the aluminium body looks good!
However I do not know how they manufacture their chassis!

They have done quite a few fake Maserati 300S with 3500 or Sebring chassis.
Their "normal" product is an Alfa 1900 barchetta - using Alfa 1900 berlina floorpans.
They also have done a fake Lancia D50 for the Fangio museum.

Their cars always seem to start their european life in Belgium: easier importation procedure maybe.

The belgian dealer that advertises them from time to time:
http://www.mecanicimport.com

[peteracs]

Hi Sebastien

Looking at their website, they do offer 'replica' building, fake to me would tend to imply some sort of criminal intention which, from their point of view, I do not believe they intend. At least from what I see on the website which is admittedly rather limited.

Peter

[Sebastien]

Hello Peter,

OK, they do not build fakes, just their idea of the cars the customers want.
It is a commercial venture.
However, when they appear on a field in Europe looking just like a Maserati 300S, or a Cisitalia 202 do you think their owner points out the difference? Enough said....

Some more reading:
http://www.thebrander.com/article.php?o=91

And even a film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ehu8ZC_syo

[chriswgawne]

Hello Sebastien,
Is this 'Conrero B20' based upon an 'original' Conrero car from the 50's and if so, how many did Conrero originally make I wonder? Everything I have ever read about them seems to suggest they tuned Aurelias in period and most of their activity was with Alfas.
Chris

[Sliding Pillar]

This car was offered for sale at Coys Essen sale in 2002, it was painted silver then, and did not sell.
http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/1341123046

[Sebastien]

Hello Chris,

I have never heard of a Conrero special with Aurelia engine.

I think the tuning potential of the Alfa 4 cylinders made them much easier engines to develop than Aurelias.
Also I remember that in Italy the Sports categories had a 2 litre limit.

I also checked the book: La "Sport" e i suoi artigiani, which covers the period 1937 - 1965: 4 pages cover Conrero - no mention of a Conrero with Aurelia engine.
The well known Conrero 2000 with Supersonic body by Savonuzzi however used an Aurelia transaxle and rear suspension.

Regarding the so called Conrero barchettas, the following exchange is a good read:
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfa-romeo-cars-sale-wanted/195801-1957-1900-conrero-barchetta-e-bay.html

[chriswgawne]

Well Ade,
Theres a surprise - the Essen car is the same car B20 3076 as the one for sale now!

[chriswgawne]

Just seen your latest post sebastien.
So I wonder why this car is described as a Conrero and when it was constructed?