Lancia Flaminia 2.5-Litre 3C Convertible, 1963
Lancia Flaminia
Lancia Flaminia•
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Chassis No.: 824142211
Engine No.: 8231013979
Estimate: €130,000 - €160,000 EUR
- Rare and desirable triple-carburettor 3C convertible
- Previously resident in Switzerland
- Restored in Italy circa 12 years ago
- Rara versione con tre carburatori
- Precedentemente immatricolata in Svizzera
- Restaurata in Italia circa 12 anni fa
The coupé and convertible versions of the Lancia Flaminia was made in relatively small numbers and surviving examples in good condition are, therefore, quite rare. Lancia's Pininfarina-styled Flaminia saloon had debuted at the 1956 Turin Motor Show. Designed by newly recruited Antonio Fessia and intended as a replacement for the Aurelia, the Flaminia retained its predecessor's mechanical layout, though the form of unitary construction was changed and Lancia's traditional 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension, which had been used on every model since 1922, gave way to a more modern double wishbone and coil spring arrangement.
Aurelia carryovers were the overhead-valve, 60-degree V6 engine and De Dion rear transaxle (with inboard brakes), although the former had been extensively reworked by Fessia, resulting in a much stronger power unit than that designed by his legendary predecessor, Vittorio Jano.
The short-wheelbase Flaminia coupé appeared in 1958, followed by the Touring-styled GT and GTL (2+2) coupés and the convertible. The latter trio shared a further-shortened (to 99") wheelbase with the Sport and Super Sport models, and all featured disc brakes and increased power. The 2,458cc V6 produced 119bhp when installed in the more sporting Flaminias, with 140bhp available in the triple-carburettor '3C' models from 1961, which was further increased when the 2,775cc version arrived in 1963. Parts availability for these classic Lancias is excellent, with the UK's Omicron Engineering holding plentiful stocks. There are also marque specialists in Italy, Holland, and the USA, as well as an enthusiastic owners' club.
These cars cost as much as an Aston Martin DB4 when new and were arguably much better engineered; all the more amazing that they are so undervalued today, especially when one considers that only 847 Flaminia convertibles were produced in total.
Finished in Rosso Arcoveggio with cream leather interior and black soft-top, this desirable Flaminia 3C convertible was in Ticino, Switzerland (registered 'TI54755') before arriving in Italy circa 2010. Nicely restored in Italy some 12 years ago, the car would benefit from some cosmetic refreshment of the paintwork, and the chrome on the rear bumper.
