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/
