1965 Lancia Flaminia

The Lancia Flaminia was the long-awaited successor to the Aurelia and was an evolution of the well-proven Aurelia concept, which also employed an alloy V-6 engine, a rear-mounted four-speed transaxle, and a De Dion rear suspension. At the front was a modern double-wishbone suspension, and Dunlop disc brakes were on all four corners. Endowed with state-of-the-art engineering, the Flaminia was rewarded with superb driving characteristics, as well as improved handling and stopping power.

Production of the Flaminia began in 1957 and continued through 1970, with 12,633 examples sold over its lifespan. The lion's share were coupes, outselling the four-door saloon.

Dimensions and Mechanical Specification
The chassis of the Flaminia was a development of the Aurelia and had a wheelbase size of 113 inches for the saloon and 99 inches for the coupe. The Saloon's length of 192 inches was just over a foot longer than the coupe, and its height of 58 inches was seven inches taller.

Early Berlina examples had drum (approximately the first 500 cars) or disc brakes, while all others had disc brakes only hidden behind Pirelli Cinturato 165H400 CA67radial tires. The Coupé by Pininfarina received 175HR400 Pirelli Cinturato CA67 millimetric tires. A handbrake operated the rear brakes.

The front suspension had double wishbones, coil springs, and anti-roll bar, and telescopic shock absorbers. At the rear was a De Dion setup. The steering was by worm and sector.

The V6 engine used in the Aurelia was given a larger bore and stroke, and mounted longitudinally within the Flaminia's engine bay, sending power to the rear wheels via a four-speed rear-mounted transaxle. Displacing 2,458cc (2.5 liters), the single-carbureted version produced just over 100 horsepower, while the triple-carbureted version had nearly 140 horsepower. In 1962, displacement increased to 2,775cc (2.8 liters) and output rose to around 126 horsepower with a triple-barrel carburetor setup. With a triple carburetor - as used in the Super Sport - output reached 150 horsepower.

Body Designs and Coachbuilders
Pininfarina
Pinin Farina created the original two bodies of the Flaminia, using design inspiration from the two Aurelia-based motor show 'Florida' specials. The Florida I was introduced at the 1955 Turin Auto Show and the Florida II a year later at the Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva. The former was a saloon with rear suicide doors, while the Florida II was a 2-door coupe.

Two years after Lancia introduced the Florida I at the Turin Auto Show, the Flaminia Berlina (saloon) prototype was unveiled at the same location. It had suicide rear doors similar to the Florida I, a styling element that would not make it into production. Its design was courtesy of Pininfarina and would be the only body style to be built by Lancia themselves. Remaining in production throughout the Flaminia's entire production (the only body style to do so), a total of 3,344 examples were built with the 2.5-liter engine, plus an additional 599 with the larger 2.8 liter version.

Pininfarina designed and built a 2+2 coupe with styling similar to the Florida II prototype. The front portion was similar to the Berlina, but they pointed slightly upwards and the headlight frames were completely round. A total of 4,151 examples of the Pininfarina-bodied coupe were built with the 2.5-liter engine and 1,085 with the 2.8-liter engine. Production lasted until 1967.

Touring
Carrozzeria Touring designed and built the GT, GTL, and Convertible. The GT and Convertible rested on a shortened wheelbase chassis and had seating for two. The GTL was introduced in 1962 and had a slightly longer wheelbase which accommodated a 2+2 seating configuration. The bodies were made from lightweight aluminum and styling was easily distinguishable from the Pininfarina-designed Flaminias by their four round headlights. (The Pininfarina-designed example had two headlights.)

Production of the Convertible lasted until 1964, with 847 examples built including 180 with the 2.8-liter engine. The GT and GTL were in production until 1965, with 1,718 examples of the GT and 300 of the GTL (297 GTLs with the 2.8-liter engine).

Zagato
The Sport built by Zagato used the same shortened wheelbase of the GT and had seating for two. The styling was clean and elegant, with a rounded aluminum body and pop-out handles. The Sport was replaced by the Super Sport in 1964 and came equipped with the 2.8-liter, 150-horsepower engine.

Produced through 1967, a total of 593 examples were built including 344 Sports and 150 Super Sports. The first 99 cars had flush headlamps, while later examples had more classic round ones.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2025