1965 Lancia Flavia Zagato

Highlights

Ultra-rare Ercole Spada masterpiece
Acquired by the vendor’s father in 1965 from a Lancia dealer in Holland
Boasts restored bodywork and a rebuilt original engine
Exercised carefully and sparingly following the restoration while continuing regular maintenance

The Appeal

Italy has been home to many great coachbuilding firms, but we’d wager that none have been quite so bold with their designs as Zagato. Its most Avant-garde creations were those overseen by Chief Stylist Ercole Spada, who was behind this glorious Lancia Flavia. Casting an unashamedly unconventional silhouette with a mixture of sharp angles and soft curves, Zagato’s take on the Flavia made it look quite unlike anything else on the road. Its rear windows extend into the roofline, adding an almost panoramic quality to the cabin while an electrically operated rear window provides a novel solution for through-air ventilation.

Any Flavia Zagato is a special find, but this example is made more special still as it was acquired by the vendor’s father in 1965. The Lancia has benefitted from judicious maintenance throughout its life and has undergone restoration to the bodywork and mechanicals during recent years. It presents superbly throughout while remaining highly original.

For grand touring duties, the 1.8-litre Flavia’s drivetrain is eminently capable so we heartily recommend this ultra-rare Zagato-bodied example to those who wish to travel in supreme vintage luxury and style.

The History and Paperwork

V5C present
Photographic record of 2014 restoration work
The vendor’s father acquired the car in 1965 from a Lancia dealer in Holland
We’re informed that the car had a mere couple of thousand kilometres on the odometer at the time
Garage-stored throughout it life
Following the vendor’s father’s passing in 2013, the car underwent bodywork restoration
Retains its original factory colour scheme and specifications
One of just 537 1.8-litre Flavia Zagatos
101,874 kilometres indicated

The Condition

Handsome paintwork with few notable blemishes
Straight and solid aluminium bodywork and steel superstructure
The brightwork, glass and badging present well
OEM steel wheels complete with hub caps
Beautifully preserved original interior
Superb red upholstery with attractive age-commensurate patina
The seats and door cards present very well
Period Autovox radio
The rubber floor mats appear in good condition, as does the headlining
The original steering wheel was replaced with this smaller sports item in 1966 - a popular upgrade at the time
Light patina to the controls and switchgear
The indicators are intermittent and the the fuel gauge does not currently work
We’re informed that the rear window motor has not worked for some time

It’s an overused cliché to call a car art, but the Flavia Zagato is about as close to a piece of automotive sculpture you’re ever likely to come across.

Spada used aluminium panels to achieve the unusual body contours, which means these cars often fell victim to rampant corrosion where the steel superstructure reacts with the alloy. This example has undergone repair and restoration at several points during its life, ensuring its in vert good overall condition today. Having also been garage-stored, this has ensured the car is very well preserved.

The interior is reportedly entirely original and it presents impeccably with a fabulous patina. Besides a couple of small electrical gremlins, all is reportedly in good order and ready to enjoy.

The Mechanics

1.8-litre flat-four
Four-speed manual gearbox
The vendor’s father carried out a full engine rebuild which included the fitment of new pistons and liners
Very smart engine compartment
Electric fan installed and switched from the cabin

The Flavia’s 1.8-litre flat-four produced 101 bhp and with the car coming in at a mere 1,020 kilograms, it boasted excellent performance for a four-cylinder car. The vendor informs us that it drives exactly as it did back in period - and they should know as few people have lived with a Flavia Zagato for so long.

The vendor’s father carried out the engine rebuild and reportedly maintained the car brilliantly until their death. It has since been cherished by the vendor who has reportedly continued with the servicing regime such a car deserves.

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