Vehicle Description
To many, a list of the greatest car manufacturers of Italy may
struggle to reach past Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and perhaps
Maserati. But pose that same question to a full-blooded Petrol
Head, and Lancia would likely be the first word out of their mouth.
Founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia, the company that bore his name
went on to produce some of the most thoughtfully engineered and
stylish automobiles the world has seen. Standard Lancia's were
generally more conservative than a comparable Alfa or Maserati,
however Lancia cars are often compared with the likes of
Mercedes-Benz for their level of build quality and engineering
excellence. In practice, Lancia combined the best of both worlds -
building automobiles that combined sophisticated engineering and
brisk performance wrapped in gorgeous, unmistakably Italian
bodywork. Their engineering prowess was reflected on the race track
and special stage, where they have enjoyed tremendous success. From
the 1960s to the 1990s, rallying was Lancia's venue of choice where
they hold a record ten World Constructor's Championships. Aside
from their quality, Lancia has always been known as a great
innovator, responsible for many important firsts such as
independent front suspension, the now ubiquitous V6 engine, and the
first production car designed to use radial tires; the latter two
debuting with the brilliant Aurelia. In 1957, the firm introduced
the Aurelia's equally outstanding replacement, the Flaminia.
Offered as a four-door Berlina as well as short-wheelbase Coupe and
Cabriolet, the Flaminia continued the theme of sophistication and
style set by the Aurelia, with four-wheel independent suspension,
four-wheel disc brakes mounted inboard at the rear, rear-mounted
transaxle, and that gorgeous all-alloy V6 up front. Aside from the
factory produced Berlina, a variety of the great Italian
coachbuilders lent their hand to the Flaminia; namely Pininfarina,
Carrozzeria Touring and Zagato. In 1959, the Sport was added to the
lineup, which featured a lightweight aluminum body designed and
built by Zagato in Milan. The curvaceous lines initially included
covered headlights, the prominent Zagato "double bubble" roof, and
pop-out door handles. A 2.5-liter V-6 was at first only available
in single Solex carburetor, 118 bhp guise and, later, in
three-carburetor or 3C specification, good for an estimated 138
bhp. After the first 99 examples were built, road legislation
changes in Italy prohibited the production of vehicles with covered
headlights, which prompted a second series of the Sport, featuring
open headlights and a revised dashboard. Over the years, the
Flaminia Sport Zagato was gradually upgraded with a
three-carburetor engine setup and, later, a 2.8-liter engine. In
1964, the Super Sport with revised styling replaced the Sport.
Production ceased in 1967, by which time 593 Flaminia's were
clothed by Zagato, making any Zagato-built Flaminia a notable
collector's piece. The Flaminia Sport offered here, chassis
824.001337, was sold new to Giovanni Tavella S.p.A., a Milan-based
company, owned by Enrico Tavella, Luca Zagato's uncle. According to
the original Italian libretto and ACI road registration records,
Giovanni Tavella S.p.A. retained the Flaminia until 1983, at which
point ownership was transferred directly to Luca Zagato. Under his
ownership, the Lancia was restored, with much of the work
reportedly carried out by Zagato's workshop in Terrazzano di Rho.
It is believed that also at this time the original engine was
exchanged for the current unit. The Lancia would remain within the
Zagato family's ownership until 2020, when it was sold to the
current owner, a connoisseur with a passion for finely engineered
sports and GT cars. This car's dark silver paint color is perfectly
suited to the crisp Zagato lines. Bodywork and paint are in fine
order, with good crisp shut lines and clean reflections.
Brightwork, including the chrome bumpers and delicate alloy body
moldings is all very well-presented. The car rides on proper
Michelin X radials mounted to factory original steel wheels shod
with correct hubcaps and trim rings. and a set of proper Carello
headlamps lights the way. The interior is particularly appealing,
trimmed in black leather upholstery piped in gray on the seats with
black carpet bound in light gray, as well as gray trim to the door
panels and luggage area. Plenty of chrome trim and accents create a
real sense of occasion when sliding behind the wheel. The dash,
instruments, and switchgear all appear to be in very well-preserved
original condition. The two-passenger cabin is exemplary Italian:
Simple, elegant, and finely detailed with a perfectly judged
luster. The centerpiece of this Flaminia is the fabulous 2.5 liter
V6. The engine compartment is tidy and well detailed, with proper
wrinkle-finish valve covers, a correct original air cleaner, and
correct hoses, fittings, and clamps. This Lancia Flaminia is first
and foremost a driver's car, the V6 is strong and runs great, the
chassis is solid and tight, and the driving experience is sublime.
In addition to important original registration documents, the
original sales documentation, including the receipt of a deposit
and the subsequent balance, is also on file, verifying its unique
ownership history tied to the Zagato family. The Flaminia is also
accompanied by an owner's manual and jack. These exceedingly rare
cars very seldom come onto the market; this is a great opportunity
for a discerning collector to acquire one of Zagato's most
accomplished creations. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7650-1960-lancia-flaminia-sport-zagato/
