Lot 251: 1964 Lancia Flaminia Berlina

Although Lancia's competition programme during the early Fifties brought much fame to the company there was little fortune, and in 1955 Gianni Lancia and his mother sold out to millionaire Carlo Pesenti. A major modernisation programme was undertaken and the first model under Pesenti's ownership was the 1957 Flaminia. The Lancia Flaminia was, during the 1960s, the firm's top of the range grand touring model, representing a worthy successor to the Aurelia which it had replaced and indeed from which it had inherited many design features. The new model featured unequal-length wishbone independent front suspension, a de Dion axle with inboard brakes at the rear, a transaxle type gearbox and a superb 2,458cc V6 engine derived from that of the Aurelia. In 1961 engine power was boosted from 102 to 110bhp and in 1962 its capacity was increased to 2.8 litres, power rising to 146bhp and maximum speed to 130mph. A three carburettor high performance option was also available. A variety of coachbuilt bodies were available on the Flaminia chassis, a saloon (and a coupé alternative from 1958) with styling by Pininfarina and a handsome coupé model by Touring,The initial four-door Berlina, with mold-breaking Pininfarina styling, evolved from the Florida show cars, combining the best of American trends with the ultimate in high class European engineering and good taste. Though a few early cars had drums, Lancia soon adopted the latest Dunlop disc brakes, mounted inboard at the rear, adding to the Flaminia's reputation as a highly agile saloon.The fine example we offer here today is finished in the appropriate and elegant combination of 'blu ministeriale' or midnight blue with a contrasting grey cloth interior. It is totally unrestored boasting original paint, chrome and interior fittings including correct rubber mats. Chassis 813.00-1852 has covered minimal mileage from new. It was the Italian Rolls Royce of its period and remains vastly under-appreciated today. Admittedly more pleasant to drive than a Jaguar MK2 or concurrent Rolls Royce these hand finished motorcars are becoming eminently more collectible as enthusiasts wake up to there long hidden attributes.Offered with original black Forli registration plates, A.S.I homologation and Italian Libretto.De couleur bleu ministériale et bleu nuit avec un intérieur gris, cette voiture possde sa peinture d'origine. Chassis 813.00-1852 n'a couvert que trés peu de kilomtre, elle est mise en vente avec ses plaques noires d'immatriculation d'origine, son Libretto Italian et son homologation I.S.A.