Lot 31: Lancia Flaminia Coupe

Despite surrendering the ruinously expensive D50 Grand Prix project to rival Ferrari at the end of the 1955 season, the Lancia family was still forced to sell up. Taking a majority shareholding, Italian industrialist Carlo Pesenti lost little time in appointing Antonio Fessia to replace the Ferrari-bound Vittorio Jano as chief engineer. Debuting at the 1957 Geneva Salon, the Flaminia saloon represented a conscious move upmarket. Based around a monocoque bodyshell equipped with unequal-length wishbone independent front suspension, a well-located De Dion back axle and hydraulic four-wheel drum brakes (albeit discs were soon adopted), the newcomer was powered by a second generation 2.5 litre OHV V6 engine allied to a rear-mounted four-speed transaxle. Enjoying near 50:50 weight distribution, the four-door won widespread acclaim for its ride / handling balance and smooth power delivery. The work of Battista 'Pinin' Farina - then at the height of his powers - and derived from the Lancia Florida show car, its crisp, clean lines were to have a profound effect on automotive styling. Introduced some two years later, the Flaminia Coupe was another Pininfarina masterpiece (though, this time indebted to the Florida II show car). Sitting on a shortened version of its saloon sibling's floorpan (2750mm vs. 2870mm) the svelte two-door also benefited from more horsepower (119hp vs. 102hp) and a higher 170km/h top speed. Not dissimilar in appeal to a Ferrari 250 GTE, the 2+2 seater Lancia proved decidedly popular among Italy's high-fliers and celebrities. Only in production from 1959-1967, just 5,236 Flaminia Coupes are thought to have been made. Finished in silver grey with beige leather upholstery, this particular left-hand drive example is described by the vendor as being in "good overall condition for its age" (though, he notes that the paintwork is "a bit cracked in places"). Reportedly imported from Italy during 2000, 'FAS 817' is further understood to have remained with one UK keeper until earlier this year. Said to have been treated to "approximately £5,000 worth of cosmetic repairs, recommissioning and brake system refurbishment by Lancia specialists Richard Thorne and 'Former Glory' between 2001 and 2002", more recent work has apparently seen the Flaminia gain "retrimmed front seats and a new clutch (2008)". Summed-up by the seller as "a rare, elegant and powerful touring car", this appealing Lancia is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until March 2009.