Fantasy Junction

Description

1968 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato 2.8 3C
s/n 826232.002130, eng no. 826200*2135*
Red with Black Leather

Celebrated for their advanced engineering, beautiful designs, and technical prowess, Lancia continues to enchant enthusiasts with their stunning concept cars, astonishing mechanical features, and competition victories. During their heyday producing some of the finest vehicles in the world, their prodigious racing history included victories in the Mille Miglia, Le Mans, Targa Florio, Monte Carlo, La Carrera Panamericana, and dominance in rallies all over the world. And while many Lancia models are especially revered for their performance, award-winning coachwork, or technical sophistication, the Flaminia Zagato continues to hold the rare distinction of capturing all three of those important aspects in a singular and highly desirable car.

First introduced in 1957, the Flaminia replaced the successful Aurelia as the top tier Lancia offering. To fill this critical role, the Flaminia incorporated numerous sophisticated engineering features, including a 2.5 liter aluminum V6 engine and 4 speed rear-mounted transaxle, with inboard rear disc brakes as well as sophisticated De Dion rear suspension. This driveline configuration resulted in excellent weight distribution and low unsprung weight, making these cars exceptional performers for nearly all driving applications. Initially offered as the Sport model, the Super Sport arrived in 1964 with the introduction of the 2.8 Liter V6 engine. In 3C configuration, topped by three Weber carburetors, the SS delivered 152 bhp. Although other coachbuilders offered special versions of these fine cars, the most dramatic and sought after was the Zagato coupe. The hand crafted Zagato aluminum body delivered lightweight construction not only for nimble road variants, but also for competition cars. The Zagato “Double Bubble” roof treatment, aptly named for the pronounced undulations in the roofline, also appeared in other prominent sports and GT cars including the Aston Martin DB4GTZ, Fiat 8V Zagato, and Maserati A6G 2000, all of which command seven figure sums today. These labor-intensive handmade cars were both elusive and expensive, resulting in very low production numbers, with fewer still in existence today.

This particular Flaminia Super Sport Zagato is one of approximately 150 examples produced with the captivating Zagato Double Bubble coachwork. A late production example with 2.8 liter engine, triple carburetors, and recessed headlights, this car represents the zenith of the model’s development. A matching numbers example with a reported 35 year previous ownership history dating back to the 1970s, this car belonged to a long-term owner who was an expert in Italian engineering and honorary member of the Lancia Classic Club. He purchased the car from a dealer who discovered it in Brittany, France. Being mechanically adept and eager to enjoy the car, the owner drove it off and on for four years until embarking on an ongoing mechanical restoration, allowing him to use the car while freshening it as needed. Over the ensuing three decades, the owner skillfully serviced and enjoyed the car, renewing the sills and jacking points and repainting the car, while also giving further attention to selected cosmetic trim. He also rebuilt the engine and clutch himself, installing them back in the car in 2013, putting roughly 2,000 km on the car after installation. In 2014, the front brake calipers were replaced and various other details were further tended to including new chrome plating for the bumpers. In 2015, the current Swiss owner purchased the car.

Today, this Flaminia Zagato exhibits a satisfying combination of originality and honest freshened finishes. The driver-quality paint is generally glossy throughout, though showing some paint spidering, a few chips along panel edges, and minor imperfections, is still very presentable for enjoyable driving and local shows. The body lines and panel fit are good in most areas, but, typical of original Zagato bodywork, over time the doors have become slightly proud of the body surface. The driver’s side door shows some areas of irregular fit above the door handle and a few paint chips at the door seam. The hood fit is similar while the trunk fit is quite good. The headlight bezels and grille fit quite nicely to the body lines, though show some signs of faded plating in the headlight bezels. Front and rear bumpers have been re-plated resulting in a very good reflective finish and good overall fitting to the body. The delicate wheel arches, double bubble roof lines, and distinctive Kamm tail remain handsomely representative of the original Zagato bodywork.

With bold but pure body lines, the broad and subtle Zagato body surfaces can often become softened or flat in the hands of careless body shops. The bodywork here, while certainly showing years of enjoyable use, remains taut and lively underneath the more recent paint, giving the car an authentic visual presence, reflecting what is believed to be a largely original body. The glass is in good condition though showing minor scratches, wiper marks, and some signs of aging in the rubber gaskets and insulating window trim. All lighting, exterior lenses, and indicators are in very good to excellent condition including the Carello headlamps. The metal wheels are correctly finished, trimmed with proper wheel covers and shod with period correct Michelin tires which are due for replacement. The various emblems and remaining trim are all in place, displaying finishes in keeping with the overall condition of the car.

The theme of enjoyable use and cosmetics coupled with originality continues throughout the interior of the car. The black leather seats are most likely original displaying a serviceable finish overall but having become a bit dry over time. The dashboard is remarkably nice with no noticeable cracks and handsome wood inserts. The stunningly designed two large-dial Jaeger instruments are remarkably well-preserved with only lightly yellowed numbers, though still showing high contrast and good color. The instruments are framed by a large diameter wood steering wheel and black Lancia emblem suspended by polished aluminum spokes. An array of switches decorates the center portion of the dashboard as the Flaminia Super Sport script elegantly finishes the glove box door. The door panels, headliner, and rear panels are complete and consistent with the interior finishes, showing no major flaws but again reflective of enjoyable use. The carpeting appears to have been replaced likely at the same time the car was repainted. The rear features a dropdown interior trunk access panel, which is handy to access or store items in the trunk. The trunk compartment is finished with a beaded black carpet mat covering what appears to be the original interior trunk panels.

The engine compartment has been correctly restored during the time it was removed and rebuilt under previous ownership. The engine components, fasteners, hardware, hoses and lines, all appear to have been finished to a correct but not show standard. The components are clean and free of excessive wear or use, indicative of the break-in kilometers covered since the engine rebuild was completed. The engine bay, supporting wiring, and all hardware have been properly refinished to an authentic standard including the textured black engine covers and Lancia script, correct Weber carburetor finish, and correct raw engine casting finishes. The undercarriage is sound and representative of the 40 years of thoughtful ownership under the past two owners. There is no evidence of structural damage to the floor pan, which exhibits correct ribbing and structural stampings as originally built. Corrective work is visible to the jacking points and rocker sills, both of which appear to have been properly performed and finished. A pair of correct type exhaust and mufflers runs the length of the car. The underside further features nicely preserved oil pan and gearbox castings, correct disc brakes, and proper suspension components in unrestored condition.

The car starts easily warm or cold and settles into a smooth idle with distinctive exhaust note from the triple Weber carbureted V6 engine throughout the entire rev range. Acceleration is quite good, reminding drivers that Lancia engines were both capable and powerful, responding to both sporting leisure and competition objectives. It carburetes well when warm, with some hesitation just off idle when cold. The car sets off smoothly with good power, driving smoothly, working through the fully synchronized gearbox, which has the wonderful creamy, expensive feel that characterizes transaxle Lancias. Cornering and braking are unusually advanced for a car of this era due in part to Lancia’s engineering and racing heritage. The brake booster functions well and the steering has a well-judged weight and precision that gives the driver a confident ability to place the car on the road. The overall impression of driving the car is one of quality. Driving the car perfectly embodies the fabulous Lancia engineering and craftsmanship from the zenith of the pre-Fiat era, and it is an experience that is sure to appeal to the connoisseur who has experienced lesser cars and is now ready to appreciate one of the finest vintage cars that exists. The car comes with selected lengths of replacement weather strip rubber and a rare fog lamp bar, which can be mounted to the front bumper together with included accessory lamps.

Celebrated as among the finest cars for street and track use, Lancias set touring and racing car records year after year, and delivered bold new models featuring innovative engineering and striking designs. This rare Lancia Flaminia Zagato 2.8 Liter Super Sport combines amazing engineering with unmistakable Zagato design and coachwork. Paired with the triple Weber carbureted V6 and rear-mounted transaxled, this lightweight aluminum Lancia is ready to gradually improve as it is driven, making an ideal event car, or would be a superb basis for a concours level restoration to pay homage to the visionary design of the dedicated Italian artisans and craftsmen of Lancia and Zagato.

This car is sold duty paid in the US on original CERTIFICAT D'IMMATRICULATION paired with an original signed Bill of Sale from the previous European owner.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608