1966 Lancia Flaminia 2.8-Litre 3C Super Sport 'Double Bubble' Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato
Registration no. JLK 4D
Chassis no. 326.233.002052
Engine no. 826.200.2061

This striking Zagato-bodied Lancia Flaminia Super Sport features the Milanese styling house's renowned 'double bubble' body form in which low overall lines and a rounded streamlined shape are achieved by the simple but ingenious device of convex head-clearance roof bulges above each front seat.

One of the oldest and most respected of automotive design firms, Zagato was quick to exploit the popularity of the new GT racing category after WW2, supplying factory teams and catering for the privateer scene with roadable cars that could be driven competitively on the racetrack come the weekend. The creator of some of the most memorable designs of this, arguably Zagato's most productive period, was Ercole Spada. Favouring soft fluent, aerodynamic lines, Spada introduced the sawn-off tail on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Tubolare Zagato and was also responsible for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and 2600 SZs. His creations on Lancia chassis included the Zagato Sport/Super Sport variants of the Flavia, Fulvia and Flaminia.

Introduced at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, the Flaminia retained its Aurelia predecessor's mechanical layout, though Lancia's traditional 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension gave way to a more-modern double wishbone arrangement. Aurelia carry-overs were the 60-degree, 2,458cc, overhead-valve, V6 engine and De Dion rear transaxle with inboard brakes. The Zagato-bodied Sport and Super Sport models shared a shortened wheelbase with the Touring-styled GT/GTL coupes and the Convertible, and all featured disc brakes and increased power. A 2,775cc engine was introduced for 1963, by which time the sportier Flaminias were capable of around 200km/h (130mph).

This example of the last word in old-style Lancia design is one of only 187 Zagato Super Sports made. This particular car was delivered new in 1966 to the UK and is one of only three factory right-hand drive examples it is believed, the other two believed to be in Australia. The accompanying original logbook shows that the Flaminia was first registered on 18th January 1966 to Lancia Concessionaires, Lancia Works, Alperton, Middlesex. The engine and chassis numbers match the original logbook, but unfortunately the Lancia archive does not contain build records for the Flaminia Super Sport Zagato so we have been unable to confirm this with a build sheet. 'JLK 4D' underwent restoration by Peter Harding Classic Restorations in the 1990s, and was restored again in the early 2000s by renowned Lancia specialists Omicron Classico (Omicron Engineering) of Mulbarton, Norwich.

The current owner purchased the Flaminia in 2007 from Richard Thorne Classic Cars of Reading. In 2018 an extensive bare-metal restoration costing €100,000 was completed by specialists in the Netherlands. Works included door skins were made to original specification; the steel battery tray repaired; the aluminium body repaired where necessary; the braking system renewed; bumpers refitted; a re-spray in Lancia Blu Diplomatico; all mechanical items checked; prop-shaft balanced; etc, etc .

The current owner has driven the Flaminia on local outings and trips to Italy and Hamburg, Germany, and in January 2019 exhibited it as part of the 'Lancia special exhibit' at InterClassics in Maastricht, Holland. Infrequently driven since then, the car was checked recently, is ready for use and presented in superb condition we have been advised by the vendor.

This beautiful, original UK right-hand drive Flaminia Super Sport Zagato is offered with an extensive history file containing restoration invoices; MoT test certificates; owners' correspondence; the aforementioned original logbook and its original UK registration no. JLK 4D.