The European CSL is the ultimate Outlaw Lancia

17th November 2021

Ethan Jupp

Fans of restomodded Lancias rejoice, Thornley Kelham has revealed the best variant yet of its Aurelia Outlaw restomod. Meet the European CSL, a lighter, more powerful Outlaw, of which just three are being made to round out the Outlaw series.

“The Aurelia ‘Outlaw project has now reached its ultimate evolution, with just three remaining cars to be built, each with a new set of meticulously developed upgrades,” said Simon Thornley, co-founder of Thornley Kelham.

The Outlaw European CSLs will present a saving of 75kg thanks in part to the hand-crafted steel bodywork being swapped out for lightweight aluminium. In total, the CSL weighs in at around 1,100kg. New also is the Busso 3.2-litre V6, which takes power up from just over 220PS (162kW), to over 300PS (221kW). For context, the original Aurelia had around 120PS (88kW)…

In terms of handling, the final three iterations of Outlaw will get a limited-slip differential, revised front suspension, optional power steering and fully uprated rear suspension. That’s on top of the modern disc brakes, new pedal box, rack and pinion steering and uprated suspension already found on the earlier run of non-CSL Outlaws. On the inside, it’s business as usual. That’s to say, the sky, or rather the plumpness of your bank account, is the limit.

As for what’s next? Well, while the European CSLs mark the end of the Outlaw project, they are also the beginning of a new venture. ‘The Europeans’ will be a run of classic commissions beyond Aurelias that follow a similar ethos of rejuvenating and enhancing.

“The European CSL is the first of a new line-up of projects we have developed to launch in the coming years that will be badged as ‘The Europeans’ by Thornley Kelham. As with the Aurelia commissions, these will be built around iconic performance cars, developed with fresh designs, upgraded performance and a meticulous eye for detail.”

What classic would you want to see Thornley Kelham enhance with the ethos of the Aurelia Outlaw? The possibilities are almost endless...