Lancia Flaminia

Lancia Flaminia GT Convertibile (1963-1967)

The Lancia Flaminia was an automobile manufacturer Lancia of the upper class and was produced by the spring of 1957 until early 1970. There was the successor to the Lancia Aurelia, wearing the same basis as the name of a Roman road, the Via Flaminia. It is based on the studies Lancia Florida I / II.

• 3.2.1 Flaminia GT
• 3.2.2 Flaminia GTL

• 3.3.1 Flaminia Sport
• 3.3.2 Flaminia Super Sport

• 4.1 Touring Superleggera

Development

1955 began a new era for the brand Lancia. The Lancia family could no longer keep the company was founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and had to sell the shares of the family business after 49 years: Cavaliere Carlo Pesenti, a building contractor and cement producer, took over in the fall of 1955, the company.

After the Second World War had Gianni Lancia, the son of Vincenzo Lancia died in 1937, does not invest enough in new production. The cost of current models Aurelia and Appia were high, were added the enormous sums for the Grand Prix of Squadra Corse Lancia activities. Also, Lancia's commercial vehicle division had incurred losses.

Under its new ownership Pesenti sparked Antonio Vittorio Jano from Fessia as technical director.

During this time, Lancias house designer Pininfarina presented a large sedan, planned as the successor to the Lancia Aurelia.

This design was based on a "Florida I" mentioned study Pinin Farina on the Aurelia chassis. A large four-door sedan with counter- opening doors, as in the Aurelia. The shield-shaped radiator grille of Aurelia was designed a long flat given way and the entire body lower and slimmer. Without window frames and B-pillar, the car looked like an elegant four-door coupe, like the modern Mercedes CLS. The design was the way for the time and lasting influence on the styling of the 1960s. Today the car is occasionally seen at classic car events like the Concorso d' Eleganza Villa d' Este on Lake Como.

Lancia's management was convinced of the shape of Florida and had to develop on this basis a series sedan. At the Turin Motor Show 1956 Lancia showed the prototype of the new car. It was a comfortable sedan with a 72 kW ( 98 hp ) payable V6 engine mounted behind the axle gear. Technically, the new car had many similarities with its predecessor, the Lancia Aurelia; but the body style was new.

Berlina

A year later, at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1957, Lancia presented the series production Flaminia. The shape of this sedan ( Berlina called ) was modern and simple. The car marked the vehicle design in the coming years than any other: not only the Pininfarina designs for Peugeot (404) and the British Motor Corporation based on the so called trapezoidal shape of the Flaminia, but also U.S. ( Pontiac ), Japanese (Prince ) and German manufacturers ( DKW, Borgward, Sachsenring ).

The engine power of the new model was initially at 75 kW (102 hp). As with the Aurelia, the engine was a V6 - a design that existed at that time only when Lancia, while six-cylinder engines it is almost the norm today.

The sedan was again thought out and designed with sophisticated details. For example, cared - but only in the first series - a rear window wiper system with 2 wiper blades inside and outside for a clear view. Especially for the opening of the third side window, a compressed air unit was installed. The horn was switched with a small lever either sounded a decent -sounding fanfare or a very discrete signal, so as not to frighten the people in the city. Later models could also be equipped with heated rear window and electric window regulators.

The Flaminia was a fully synchronized gearbox, which sat in a common housing with the Diffential ( transaxle ), a De Dion rear axle and (from early 1961 ) Scheibenbremsenan all four wheels.

Early 1961 has been increased engine output to 81 kW (110 hp), which was not too much for a car with a curb weight of 1550 kg. The end of 1962, the enlarged 2.8 liter engine came with 95 kW (129 hp).

In the autumn of 1963 appeared the second series.

Because of their refined, but also elaborate design, the Flaminia was an expensive car, which was higher in price than comparable vehicles from Mercedes- Benz and Jaguar.

This and the high taxes for cars with more than 2000 cc engine capacity on the Italian home market, prevented a large number of items. From spring 1957 to early 1970, only about 4,000 sedans were built.

Coupes

Traditionally awarded Lancia orders derived from the sedan special bodies.

As with the Lancia Appia three concepts were selected, implemented by Pininfarina, Touring and Zagato. Pininfarina built the elegant, four-seat coupe for long trips, touring realized the sporty two-seater for the middle class and Zagato was responsible for the super sports car with racing ambitions.

Pininfarina

Flaminia Coupé

At the Turin Motor Show 1958 Lancia showed the two-door, four-seat coupe by Pininfarina. The car was a direct development of the finished buildings on a chassis Lancia Florida II How the Florida I was also the Florida II designed by Battista Farina. The design was one of his personal favorites and was driven by him until his death in 1966.

The coupe was very similar to the sedan. For that time it was technically and creatively pioneering. Were taken over the basic concept of the sedan from DeDion double-joint axle, the subframe for the front axle and engine with double-wishbone axle, the six-cylinder V- engine and the clutch it rearwardly disposed gear. The wheelbase was shortened from 2.87 m to 2.75 m and the engine power to 87 kW (119 hp) raised. The lighter weight, 1500 kg, and the shortened wheelbase, the performance was better than that of the heavier sedan.

In the test of the magazine the car, Motor und Sport in 1960 accelerated the car in 16.4 seconds from 0 to 100 km / h and a top speed of 168 km / h With a base price of 26,850 DM, the Lancia was four times as expensive as a Karmann Ghia and had therefore to luxury cars. The price could be increased by a heater ( DM 300 ), disc brakes on all four wheels (550 DM ) and a leather upholstery ( 1,150 DM). In exchange, the customer got a vehicle so Auto Motor und Sport, which was exceptional in the handling, processing and elegance. The ride is well cushioned to be very handy and accurately described. The workmanship was very high with narrow gaps, quality materials and intricate details. As an example, lug nuts made ​​of brass, trunk lid, hood and tank made ​​of aluminum and aluminum cladding of the sill and the B-pillar should be mentioned. The design was evaluated both inside and out as particularly elegant.

The car was during its production period from early 1959 to the spring of 1967 constantly evolving. The first series (type 823 ) was built by the beginning of 1959 until the end of 1963. The engine has 2458 cc capacity here. At first he was a Solex carburetor PAAI 40 and 85 kW (119 hp). From 1962 to 1963, the engine received three Solex twin carburetors, the power increased to 95 kW (128 hp).

In the fall of 1963 followed by the second series (type 826 ), bearing the model designation " Coupé 3B 2.8". The main difference to the first is ³ the engine capacity to 2775 cm. The car now had 103 kW ( 140 hp ), reaching a top speed of 181 km / h In addition, the car has been in some detail, front bumper, seats, taillights simplified or changed in order to produce the vehicle can cost-effectively. Compared to the 2.5-liter cars of 2.8 liter was offered better deals.

1966 Lancia demanded 21,550 DM, yet remained the numbers at a low level. Therefore, the Flaminia Pininfarina Coupe is manufactured by under-represented today right in the German classic car scene. In England, the Netherlands or Switzerland, the scene is more pronounced.

Anyone looking for an interesting classic from the 1960s featuring top technology and good craftsmanship, is the Flaminia a suitable car. The Flaminia is not comparable to modern Lancia Fiat era. The processing is just as expensive as in contemporary Maserati, Ferrari or Jaguar. For some of the same components, such as brakes, headlights, door handles, electrical, washer systems or ashtrays are used.

From Pininfarina Coupé, there is little good cars on the market. Parts are to get compared to old Alfa Romeos difficult and at high prices. For Italian specialists but reproductions are now to be obtained from the main wear parts.

Touring Superleggera

Flaminia GT

The offered between the spring of 1959 to mid-1967 second variant was built by Carrozzeria Touring, recognizable by the name GT ( Gran Turismo = ). The shape is similar to that of the Maserati 3500 GT. In principle, this car, as well as the PF Coupe, the technology components of the sedan. The typical for Touring Superleggera construction, a body with an aluminum- clad steel tube frame, made ​​for a 200 kg lower weight. The curb weight of the Touring Coupé therefore amounted to only 1337 kg. Because of the shortened to 2,520 mm wheelbase and reduced face to improved performance and roadholding.

Thus, Auto, Motor und Sport in 1960 was thrilled with the car and had the car to the bestliegenden standard sports cars. Compared to the Pininfarina Coupe car is sprung harder, louder and faster. In the test the 2.5 -liter version accelerated in 12.8 s from 0 to 100 km / h The top speed was 180 km / h

Also, the Touring Coupe was at least 29,850 DM not a cheap car. A leather upholstery cost again DM 510 charge. In Italy the Lancia was considered the Ferrari of the middle class. A Ferrari 275 was approximately DM 49,000 but still a lot more expensive than the Touring.

The car has been constantly evolving. As with the Pininfarina Coupe Touring benefited from the development of engines. The first series ( 824 ), there was only a carburettor and 87 kW (119 hp), followed by the 3 C version with three double carburetors and here already 103 kW ( 140 hp). The second series (type 826 ) was (150 PS) provided from the autumn of 1963 with the 2.8 - liter engine with 110 kW.

Also from Flaminia Touring only a few copies were built. Nevertheless, the car is on classic car events more common than the Pininfarina Coupe. The spare parts situation is similar to the Pininfarina Coupe. Really good cars are also rare, since the aluminum body can only be set with great expertise repaired.

Flaminia GTL

The Flaminia GTL was a 2 2- seater coupe variant of the GT with an extended wheelbase to 2600 mm.

Zagato

Flaminia Sport

At the Turin Motor Show 1958 Lancia Flaminia Sport appeared. The car was designed by Carrozzeria Zagato and built starting in spring 1959. Unlike GT versions of touring with their straight lines, the Sport versions had penetrated. In fact, they were lighter and more streamlined and came up with even better acceleration and top speed. All Flaminia Flaminia Sport and Super Sport models had the typical Zagato double bubble roof structure (two bulges over the heads of the occupants ), which ensured good headroom and body stiffness.

In the fall of 1963, the power to 110 kW ( 150 hp) was also increased during exercise.

The production of the Zagato sports ended in mid- 1967.

Flaminia Super Sport

The Lancia Flaminia 3C 2.8 Super Sport Zagato was the last version of the sport. With three Weber carburettors of 2775 cc V6 engine developed 110 kW ( 152 hp ) at 5200 rpm

This engine reached this car as the only standard built classic Lancia with 210 km / h well over 200 km / h.

A streamlined tail comb and a flatter by 25 mm body made ​​for the low air resistance.

Cabriolet

Touring Superleggera

Based on the Flaminia GT Touring Superleggera provided between the spring of 1959 and mid-1967 also produces an elegant open-top two -seater ( Convertibile ).

Flaminia Presidenziale

The Presidenziale has arisen in order of the State in a small series of 5 pieces, four of which are still in government service and be used by the President of the Italian Republic to parades and other ceremonial occasions.

Numbers

• Flaminia Berlina (1957-1963): 2695
• Flaminia Berlina (1963-1970): 649
• Flaminia Berlina 2.8: 599
• Total: 3943

• Flaminia Coupe Pininfarina (1959-1963): 3191
• Flaminia Coupe Pininfarina (1963-1967): 950
• Flaminia Coupe Pininfarina 2.8: 1085
• Total: 5226

• Flaminia GT Touring Coupe (1959-1963): 863
• Flaminia GT Touring Coupe (1963-1967): 685
• Flaminia Coupé GT / GTL Touring 2.8: 468
• Total: 2016

• Flaminia GT Touring Convertibile (1959-1963): 421
• Flaminia GT Touring Convertibile (1963-1967): 264
• Flaminia GT Touring Convertibile 2.8: 180
• Total: 865

• Flaminia Sport Zagato (1959-1961): 199
• Flaminia Sport Zagato 2.5 l ( 1961-1963 ): 152
• Flaminia Sport Zagato 2.8 l ( 1963-1964 ): 33
• Flaminia Super Sport Zagato 2.8: 209
• Total: 593

• Piece count of all Flaminia versions: 12,649

Sources

• Brian Long: Lancia Sporting Coupes, The Crowood Press ISBN 1-86126-561-1
• Automobile review, catalog numbers 1960, 1963, 1967 ( for technical specifications and prices)
• Lancia (ed. ): The History of Lancia from 1906 to 1989. Published brochure from the factory. (Units)
• Motor Klassik 6/2010 Motor Presse Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KG
• Fred Steininger Lancia - 100 years of automotive history, Podzun, ISBN 978-3-86133-420-0
• Lancia Flaminia documentation, internal documentation of the international club Lancia Flaminia register, Frank Dehler, garbage home (technical data)
• Auto Salon Car Types - Overview - Models 1966, A. Eugen von Keller Verlag - Bonn (prices, PF Coupe )
• The Auto, Motor und Sport issue 12 of 4 June 1960 United Motor Publishers GmbH, Stuttgart (Test PF and Touring Coupe)
• Http://www.carsfromitaly.net/lancia/index.html