Lancia D20

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The Lancia D20 was the first racing car that Lancia built in the early 1950s and used in sports car races .

Development and technology

The D20 was the first of the successful Lancia racing cars in 1953. The D23 and the D24 followed . The D20 was a coupe with a tubular frame, a Pininfarina body and internal drum brakes. The car had a 3-liter V6 engine that developed 217 hp. For the 24-hour race in Le Mans , the engine's output was increased to 260 hp using a Roots blower . The biggest problem for the pilots was the high temperatures in the cockpit, which resulted in the installation of an air cap on the roof.

Racing history

Six vehicles were built at Lancia, with chassis numbers 0001 to 0006. The D20 made its racing debut at the 1953 Mille Miglia , where four vehicles competed . The cars were driven by Clemente Biondetti and Felice Bonetto . Umberto Maglioli and Piero Taruffi . Bonetto was third and Biondetti eighth, while Maglioli and Taruffi were out. The second deployment took place in the Targa Florio , which Umberto Maglioli won. It was to be the only race victory for a D20 Coupé. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans , the D20s were too slow on the straights and all four were also eliminated due to defects. The D20 was last used at the 1000 km race at the Nürburgring in August 1953. The chassis 0001 driven by Giovanni Bracco and Eugenio Castellotti failed again due to a defect. After this race, the D20 were converted into spiders and given the type designation D23.

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