1962 Lancia Flaminia

The replacement for the Lancia Aurelia was revealed at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show. It was dubbed the Flaminia after a famous Roman road (in a similar fashion to the Aurelia and the Appia). This new top-of-the-line Gran Turismo model had been previewed to the world by two prototypes assembled by Pinin Farina (the Florida and Florida II, which Batista Farina would use as his personal car). The Flaminia was based on the Aurelia chassis, including its independent front and de Dion rear suspension with a rear-mounted transmission. The V6 engine, which had been introduced in the Aurelia (the world's first V6), was further developed with its bore increased, resulting in a displacement size of 2458cc. In 1962, displacement rose to 2775cc. During the 13-year production lifespan, the V6 produced horsepower that ranged from 102 to 152 hp.

The coachwork of the Lancia Flaminia was entrusted to Italy's renowned coachbuilders, including Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, who was commissioned for a high-performance, 150-horsepower variant of the Flaminia called the GT. A convertible version followed; its roof had been replaced by a simple canvas folding top, and the windscreen became more sharply raked and lowered. The doors were shortened, which allowed for a more rigid body construction to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof.

For 1962, the Flaminia could be purchased in sedan or roadster guise, a Farina coupe, or a Fastback Coupe with coachwork by Zagato. The Zagato two-seater coupe had the firm's trademark 'double bubble' roofline and pop-out door handles.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019