Lancia Flavia Vignale Convertible, 1964
Lancia Flavia
Lancia Flavia•
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Chassis No.: 8153352099
Registration: TAS 116
The Lancia Flavia, a medium-sized executive car, launched initially with a 1500cc overhead-valve, horizontally opposed four-cylinder aluminium engine which was mounted ahead of the front wheels providing a drive with plenty of torque. Combined with the independent front suspension and beam axle at the rear, this provided great road holding while the dual-circuit, servo assisted all-round disc brakes gave the Lancia Flavia exceptional braking combined with front wheel drive performance making it a very advanced vehicle from its time.
The car was launched at the 1960 Turin Motor Show and introduced in major European markets during the next 12 months. Coupé and convertible versions developed by Pininfarina and Vignale quickly followed, the Pininfarina-styled coupé entered production on a shorter chassis, this was soon followed by the announcement of the highly attractive four-seater convertible version by Vignale.
By this time, prolific coachwork designer Giovanni Michelotti, dubbed the Pablo Picasso of automobile design and the designer of many early Ferraris including the 166M and Inter, the Maserati Sebring, Jensen Interceptor and Triumph Spitfire and Stag, had taken over design responsibilities at Vignale and the Flavia was one of his first creations for the Italian Carrozzeria.
At the time the design was cutting edge and today the bodywork still appears elegant and timeless. Performance improved over the next ten years, in 1963 engine capacity was increased to 1.8 litres taking the top speed over 100 mph and the larger engine displacement gave the car more torque at the bottom end, making the Flavia convertible a potent sports car for its generation. Vignale built just 1,601 two-door convertibles from 1962 to 1967 and it is believed just 40 were righthand drive making it an incredibly rare and collectable version of the Flavia.
This is an incredibly handsome and sought-after original righthand drive Italian sportscar, offering grace and style all in one. The navy coachwork is in beautiful order as is the grey hide interior and certainly is one of the best we have seen. Registered on 2nd October 1964, this Flavia Convertible with aesthetically stunning design is offered from a small private collection and boasts an incredible history file documenting its life.
Having been cared for by the very best including Richard Thorne, Omicron and Tanc Barratt, recent invoices demonstrate that at every turn the car has been treated with a no expense spared philosophy with over £20,000 spent in the last nine years, post the restoration which was completed in 2000. Most recently in January of this year our vendor enlisted Richard Thorne Classic Cars to perform a full annual service including all oils and fluids, adhere to any bodywork imperfections and tune the engine, also providing a compression test (included in the history file) and the owner states the car runs beautifully having had the carburettor rebuild within the last 100 miles.
Also within the impressive history file are invoices from the restoration together with photos of the car pre, post and during the restoration process clearly showing it was carried out to a very high standard.
The car is supplied with a V5 registration document, a current MoT test certificate which expires in December 2020, previous MoT test certificates which verify the odometer reading is correct, and a comprehensive owners handbook/service manual including wiring diagrams. This Lancia is a genuine, rare, four-seat convertible and is sure to attract attention wherever she appears.
