Lancia Flavia Sport Zagato

Launched at the 1960 Turin Motor Show, the Flavia was a medium-sized executive saloon that slotted into the Lancia range between the sporting Aurelia and the luxury Flaminia. Developed by Professor Antonio Fessia, it bristled with the advanced technology that Lancia customers had come to expect from Italy’s most aristocratic and innovative car maker.

The saloon was quickly joined by a Pininfarina-styled two-door coupe on a shortened platform and a two-door convertible with coachwork by Vignale. All models featured a single carb 1.5-litre aluminium boxer engine with front-wheel drive, Dunlop disc brakes all round and front suspension by unequal-length wishbones. With 75bhp on tap, the saloon could reach 60mph in 18 seconds with a top speed of 92mph.

In 1963 another variant joined the range, an outlandish-looking lightweight two-door sport version designed by Ercole Spada of Zagato (who also penned the sensational Aston Martin DB4 Zagato). Called the Flavia Sport, it had a larger 1.8-litre engine with twin carbs which produced 104bhp and could propel the car to 60mph in just 11.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 117mph.

Quick and agile on the road, it also proved very competitive on the track, most famously with the HF Squadra Corse team managed by Cesare Fiorio, later of Ferrari F1 fame. In 1964 Marco Crosina came second at Zandvoort in a Flavia Sport and other good results were obtained at the Targa Florio, Tour de France, Monza, Mugello and Vallelunga in the hands of drivers like Ramirez, Frescobaldi, Trautmann and Maglioli.

This particular Flavia Sport is a rare right-hand drive model that was first registered in the UK in November 1964 with just two former keepers according to the V5C that accompanies the car. Very little is known of the history of the car but it was acquired by the current vendor several years ago with the intention of using it in historic events. As you can see in the photos the car is in need of substantial restoration but the vendor states that “it has a very solid floor pan and chassis and is complete apart from the front and rear bumpers.”

With good examples now fetching in excess of £30,000 (if you can find one), this rare and quirky machine should amply reward the restoration that it now requires and will be eligible for many historic events once completed. 
 

NB: The black and white photo shows a similar car racing in period but is not the actual car being offered for sale here..