Mention coach builder Zagato and you are likely to get a strong reaction. Their early designs on the Alfa 1750 are legendary, graceful design to make a breathtaking car and clever craftsmanship that made the car both lighter and stronger. Jump ahead several decades to 1989 and the Alfa ES-30/SZ, based on the Alfa Milano chassis, could graciously be called polarizing. One accusation you cannot level at Zagato is doing something halfway. When they released a new car with their latest design philosophy, they went all in. Zagato’s swing for the fences philosophy meant that on occasion they hit a homerun.

Lancia was looking to get back among the upper crust of makes after it had been burned by its F1 efforts in the 1950s and their range topping car in 1957 was the Flaminia. When released, the Flaminia was available as a sedan, a coupe and a convertible with variants on each of the basic platforms and bodies. The top of the Flaminia range was the Sport which later evolved into the Super Sport. The first Sport had a 2.5L SOHC V-6 with 140hp (when fitted with the optional three carburetors), a 4 speed rear transaxle and an aluminum coupe body. In 1964 the engine was enlarged to 2.8L and was rated at 152hp when fitted with the optional 3 carburetors.

Year: 1965
Model: Flaminia Super Sport 3C
Engine: 2.8 liter V6
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: Unknown
Price: Auction estimate $290,000 - $360,000

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1965 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 3C

One of only approx. 150 built
1965 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 2.8-Litre 3C 'Double Bubble' Coupé
Coachwork by Zagato
Chassis no. 826232002060
This striking Zagato-bodied Lancia Flaminia Sport 3C Coupé features the Milanese styling house's renowned 'double bubble' body form in which low overall lines and a rounded streamlined shape are achieved by the simple but ingenious device of convex head-clearance roof bulges above each front seat.

One of the oldest and most respected of automotive design firms, Zagato was quick to exploit the popularity of the new GT racing category after WW2, supplying factory teams and catering for the privateer scene with road-able cars that could be driven competitively on the racetrack come the weekend. The creator of some of the most memorable designs of this, arguably Zagato's most productive period, was Ercole Spada. Favouring soft fluent, aerodynamic lines, Spada introduced the sawn-off tail on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Tubolare Zagato and was also responsible for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and 2600 SZs. His creations on Lancia chassis included the Zagato Sport/Super Sport variants of the Flavia, Fulvia and Flaminia.

Introduced at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, the Flaminia retained its Aurelia predecessor's mechanical layout, though Lancia's traditional 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension gave way to a more modern double wishbone arrangement. Aurelia carry-overs were the 60-degree, 2,458cc, overhead-valve, V6 engine and De Dion rear transaxle with inboard brakes. The Zagato-bodied Sport and Super Sport models shared a shortened wheelbase with the Touring-styled GT/GTL coupes and the Convertible, and all featured disc brakes and increased power. A 2,775cc engine was introduced for 1963, by which time the sportier Flaminias were capable of around 210km/h (130mph), while a high-performance triple-carburettor '3C' induction set-up was available as an option and is fitted to this car. A limited-slip differential was standard equipment and the Flaminia Super Sport was one of the first cars to benefit from servo-assisted disc brakes all round. Lancia's top-of-the-range Gran Turismo, it came very well equipped and was priced at the same level as a Maserati or Aston Martin. Marcello Mastroianni, Italy's most popular male film star, had his pick of the world's finest cars and he chose a Flaminia Super Sport Zagato. It was a proven design, refined and well equipped, possessing superb performance. It also had sufficient charisma to appeal to an international heartthrob.

This example of the last word in old-style Lancia design is one of only 187 Super Sport Zagatos made. For a long time, Lancias of this period were neglected classics so it is now a very rare car. The Flaminia underwent a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration between 2001 and 2003, which was undertaken by Auto Elite of Modena. Paintwork, upholstery, trim, carpets and chrome were all renewed, while the engine, transmission, brakes and suspension were all rebuilt. The car is elegantly finished in Navy Blue with Bordeaux leather upholstery, its original colour scheme. Since 2004 the Lancia has formed part of an exclusive private collection in the UK where it has seen little use but been kept in good condition by the in-house mechanic. Italian registered, this car is the height of understated elegance.

The Flaminia Super Sport is a very fine GT and the later 3C (three carb) is the most desirable model in the range. The car below is good example of a later Super Sport that was restored between 2001 and 2003 and is being sold by Bonhams in October in Belgium. Bonhams states that this 1965 Flaminia Super Sport is one of 150 made so its rarity and condition make this a very prized car for true connoisseurs that appreciate Lancia for makers of exquisite cars prior to being taken over by Fiat.

-Jim