As V6 Alfa Romeo owners, you can bet that we harbor a substantial appreciation for the development work completed by Lancia as they persevered to introduce the world's first V6 engine in 1950. It was Francesco De Virgilio of Lancia who, from 1943 until the release of the Aurelia in 1950, worked to solve the fundamental issue of balance in a V6 engine by pioneering the correct crankshaft design for the application. He was able to balance the V6 engine to such a degree that two of the main crankshaft balancing terms canceled each other out, leaving the rest of the unbalanced forces to be attenuated by the engine mounts. For those interested in reading further on the Lancia V6, we recommend checking out this website by Geoff Goldberg, V6 Lancia expert.
Continuing with the Alfa Romeo connection, the Flaminia featured a DeDion rear suspension with a rear-mounted transaxle, just like the setup found in the Alfa Romeo transaxle cars, such as our Milano. The front suspension is a more traditional double wishbone design, whereas the Flaminia's predecessor, the Aurelia, featured a sliding pillar front suspension. We happen to love Alfas, but it's worth noting that Alfa was employing Lancia technology 25-40 years after Lancia came out with it - not bad, Lancia.
Lancia was the luxury car of Italy. Arguably the best car Italy produced. The marque was favored by race car drivers, actors and sports heroes. Anyone who was anybody.
Lancia introduced the Flaminia to the public in 1956 and the model was in production from 1958 to 1968. Lancia built an entire range of Flaminia’s, competition cars, sportscars, passenger sedans and limousines. Bodied by the best, Zagato, Touring and Pininfarina. Plus a few one offs by Motto, Ghia and Boneschi. The Flaminia was the last model made by an independent Lancia before being taken over by Fiat.
One can’t help but wonder if they would have survived longer if they had specialized in one sector rather than competing across the entire range of cars. Perhaps the outcome would have been the same, or perhaps they could have found a niche to dominate and survive in.
Period road testers praised the cars performance and road handling.
“Beyond criticism” Quattroroute 1963
“When I die I would like to drive to heaven in this car.” Battista (Pinin) Farina
In 1963 the optional 2.8 litre engine became available sporting triple weber carburetors. Making 146hp at 5400rpm with a 9:1 compression ratio. This gave the GT and GT convertible a top speed of 120 mph. Referred to as the 2.8 3C this model was available only in 1963 and 1964. A mere 180 cars were built.
The Lancia Flaminia Convertible on offer is one of these 180 2.9 litre triple weber cars.
Red with its original tan leather and factory removable hardtop (a rare option), as well as the standard convertible soft top. The car retains its correct 2.8 litre 3C engine.
Chassis number 826.134.1098
Engine number 826.100.1385
Runs well. She has not been used much in the last few years so could use some freshening up.
The early history of the car is unknown, but being a LHD car with the speedometer in MPH gives the impression that it may have been sold new in America. By 1979 the car was listed in Lanciana magazine Classifieds. The advert referenced 78,000 miles on the speedometer with an engine rebuild at 58,000 miles. No price was listed but the seller was located in Southport, Connecticut. The car is believed to have had two owners since.
The car is in about the same condition with the exception that it now has 84,500 miles on it.
Comes with books, manuals, tools and an array of spare parts.
She is the rarest and most powerful of the Flaminia’s. A desirable car for the discerning collector.
Please call or email for more details, photos or to discuss the car further.
Daniel: Cell 203-470-5298
Click to view listing
We'll go easy on the condition of the car, other than to note that the interior seems pretty tidy, whereas the respray was clearly done without proper masking. Interested parties will have their work cut out for them as far as understanding the condition goes.
The Touring body would certainly turn heads on the road. Would a late-60s Fiat Dino Spider accomplish the same tasks? Absolutely, and with a similarly-interesting history. We even like the look of the Fiat better. But, were it our money, we'd go with the Lancia, if only for the devotion to engineering innovation.
One thought on “1964 Lancia Flaminia Convertibile”
I’m very familiar with Southport, I don’t remember seeing this car but of course I’ve been gone for years. Probably lots of interesting offbeat cars tucked away there. I think there’s a dealer on the Post Road selling cars with a Southport address. As a kid I used to see Commander Whitehead of Schweppes fame drive his Rolls or Bentley to the local grocery store on Sundays when I bicycled down there to buy comic books 🙂
I’m very familiar with Southport, I don’t remember seeing this car but of course I’ve been gone for years. Probably lots of interesting offbeat cars tucked away there. I think there’s a dealer on the Post Road selling cars with a Southport address. As a kid I used to see Commander Whitehead of Schweppes fame drive his Rolls or Bentley to the local grocery store on Sundays when I bicycled down there to buy comic books 🙂