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1965 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 3C

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

1967 Lancia Flaminia Zagato Super Sport

Best known for their wonderfully engineered small cars in the 1960s, Lancia's flagship at the time, the Flaminia, tends to be overshadowed a bit by its smaller siblings. These were impressive cars for the time. Introduced in 1957 as a replacement for the Aurelia, the Flaminia was available in a variety of flavors with styling by a number of coach builders in differing body styles. This Zagato Super Sport was powered by a 2.8 liter V6 with triple carburetors and was strictly a two seater, with a unique pass through panel into the trunk. For sale in Ontario, Canada, this Super Sport has been restored and is a stunning example of rather restrained styling from the house of Zagato.

1967 Lancia Flaminia Zagato Super Sport on eBay

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Designed by Vittoro Jano the Flaminia continued the tradition of being named after Roman roads and the namesake Flaminia road leads from Rome to Rimini. It was one of the first production cars to ever be fitted with a V6 engine. In total, there were only about 110 of these cars ever built. The ultimate configuration for Lancia was the Zagato model with double bubble roof, 3 carbs set-up, and tear drop headlight and was produced from 1957 through 1970. Zagato produced the Sport two-seater body styles which were by far the most rare due to their higher manufacturing costs, in part because the bodies were created from aluminum with the trademark Zagato 'double bubble' and the pop-out handles.

This stunning Zagato body coupe is finished in its correct color of Newmarket Grey with red leather interior. After spending some time during the 1970’s in the state of California, this car was purchased by a large collector who loved the car so much that he retained it for almost 31 years. It spent that time in a fully climate controlled environment and was used enough to be exercised and meticulously maintained both mechanically and cosmetically. To this day, slide into the subtle red leather bucket seats which comfortably hold you in place, the drivers door closes with a solid feel, a twist of the key and the triple carb’d 2.8L V6 comes to life. It has a feel that can only come from a special car and garners looks and adoration wherever shown. Over the last 3 decades of single family ownership, it was seldom put on display at all until 2009 when it made its first appearance at a public event, the 30th Anniversary Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. This is a truly special automobile. From the triple carb V6, to the famous double bubble roof and tear drop headlights; it is a car which has only recently started to get the attention it deserves from collectors. The aluminum Zagato body cars were a rare sight even in 1967 due to their high costs, which makes them that much more unique today and the type of automobile that can always be looked upon as a work of art. This example is a beautifully restored car, equally at home on the show field or driving the twisty coastal highways.

With only 150 Super Sports ever made, these coupes are a very rare sight with a collectibility factor similar to many Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Maseratis of the period. As such, these are not cheap cars to restore and even less so to own. The last Super Sport we featured was offered at over a quarter million dollars. This example which appears unblemished and ready to enjoy is priced right in the middle of the market and given the right audience, should find a buyer in short order.

-Paul

1967 Lancia Flaminia Zagato Super Sport

Lancias were always vehicles ahead of their time, the Flaminia being no exception. The flagship of the range from the late 1950s until 1970, three versions of the two door hardtop variant were offered by three different styling houses: Pininfarina, Touring and the car we see here, the Zagato. Known for its flamboyance, Zagato's influence on this particular car was rather restrained, yet still sleek for the time. The faired in headlamps and signals, single circular tail lamps and curious C pillar treatment were signs of things to come for this Carrozzeria. This example for sale in California was recently restored by a noted Italian car specialist in Boston.

1967 Lancia Flaminia Zagato Super Sport

1967 Lancia Flaminia Zagato Super Sport
s/n 826232002116, Engine No. 828200*2121*
Dark Blue with Tan Leather

Thanks to their pedigreed racing histories and innovative and unconventional technical features, few cars captivate the motoring world as Lancias do. Zagato coachbuilders are responsible for the dramatic and masculine styling of the Aston Martin DB4GTZ, Fiat 8V Zagato, and Maserati A6G 2000 and many other cars of the era that now command into the millions of dollars. Zagato bodies tend to be made entirely of alloy and are thus much lighter than those bodies designed by Pinnin Farina and Bertone. This, together with their “swoopy” aerodynamic traits, made Zagato bodies an obvious choice for competition use. Indeed, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Fiat, Lancia, and Maserati all commissioned Zagato to build bodies for their racecars of the era. Because of their alloy construction, Zagato bodies were expensive, and were therefore rare, even when new. Lancias also tended to be quite rare because of the high prices that their advanced technology commanded. Thus, a Lancia with a `double bubble` body by Zagato is an extremely rare find, and today, they have finally become the sought after and valuable cars they deserve to be.

At the time, the Flaminia was the flagship of the Lancia line, and incorporated numerous sophisticated features, including an aluminum V6 and transaxle with inboard disc brakes for excellent weight distribution and low unsprung weight. While the sedan and PF coupes were more lushly furnished, the Zagato was the most sporting version of Lancia’s top-of-the-line model. This particular Flaminia Super Sport bodied by Zagato was built in 1967, is the most advanced of the Flaminia line, and was fitted at the factory with the desirable triple carburetor set up known as “3C”, and the updated 2.8 liter engine, enlarged from the 2.5 liter cars built during the first and second series of production. In total, less that 600 Zagato bodied Flaminias were built during the three production series.

This particular example appears to have been originally delivered to a Barbara Weiner in Italy, as documents on file show service work performed in Firenze in July of 1968. Shortly thereafter the car appears to have been imported to the US, and was sold to the Mackaman family. By 1974, the car was owned by a Dr. Bukovnik, who retained car until 2002, with it mostly remaining in static storage. The current owner purchased the car in 2002, and shortly thereafter embarked on a full restoration with Lancia expert John (Giovanni) Tataglia at Motorsports Garage in Boston, Massachusetts.

The restoration work was as comprehensive a job as can be imagined, and was performed in a no expense spared fashion. A detailed photoset of the restoration process reveals a rotisserie, bare metal up finish, complete engine and transaxle rebuilds, among many other works. The current cosmetic and mechanical condition of the car is superb. The visual presentation is fresh, with very correct detailing, and the car runs and drives as Lancia intended- a smooth, high quality, well balanced feel- typical of their engineering masterpieces.

At over a quarter million dollars, this car is for the serious collector. The level of work put into this restoration reflects that figure. I'm a firm believer that Italian cars produced between the 1950s and 1970s have been some of the most gorgeous automobiles to grace the roads. The attention to aesthetics is unmatched. The Italians even devised small, delicate looking front license plates, so as to not mar the front clip with too much adornment. This Flaminia truly puts the grand in grand tourer.

-Paul