Lot 203: 1961 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 was 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 mould-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 drum brakes, 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 are proud to offer is finished in the appropriate and elegant combination of eggshell over blu ministeriale, or midnight blue, with a black leather interior. It underwent a sympathetic restoration some seven years ago, but it is still presented in very good order today. Just 638 of these elegant salons were built in the second series of production. The Lancia Flaminia Berlina was the Italian Rolls-Royce of its period and remains vastly under-appreciated today. L'essemplare che possiamo qui ammirare e rifinita nel elegante beige sopra 'blu minesteriale' com gli interni in cuoio nero. Nel 2000 l'auto stata restaurata e ancora oggi si presenta in condizioni magesteriale.