Lancia made a name for itself by producing elegant cars which featured unique engineering with an Italian flare. Unfortunately, unloved examples tend to rust badly. According to the seller of this 1964 Lancia Flaminia coupe, the ugly is only skin-deep. Supposedly there is a strong structure underneath with all the parts needed for a proper restoration project. What do you think? Should it go back in the barn, or is the current bid of $1,500 here on eBay a bargain?
Like other Lancias of the era, the Flaminia’s design was penned by Pininfarina, who also built the limited-production coupe. If the styling wasn’t enough, the car also had some go. There were a range of engine choices available, and this restoration-ready Flaminia has a 2.5L V6 motor with a triple-barrel carburetor in place. With this configuration, the car pumped out 140 b.h.p.
This coupe has a 2+2 layout, which made it possible to bring friends or another couple along for the ride. According to the seller, this Flaminia was used to ferry its owner between Chicago and a summer cottage in Michigan. Along with this history, the car comes with a stack of service records, original club memberships and other breadcrumbs of its past. The car supposedly ran a few years ago, but like so many classics, it was then parked and forgotten.
Its cosmetic condition is frightening but not as bad as it looks. Apparently, a shoddy paint job reacted poorly with the existing paint, causing the new paint to peel. The seller says damage is limited to the surface, as the floors, the trunk, doors, and structural members are all solid and rust-free. However, we can see that the rust is bubbling on the lower section of the doors and the cancer has eaten away at the edge of the front fenders. The seller notes that there are also a few rust spots on the undercarriage behind the front bumper. Detailed pictures of the undercarriage would be a must, and an in-person visit may be warranted, too.
Hopefully the seller finds a new home for this car soon, and we have our fingers crossed they won’t just part it out. The car’s unique aluminum bits, such as the hood, would command a fair price. However, the overall rarity of the Flaminia makes us think that it deserves better. Admittedly, it is not the most desirable model in the Flaminia lineup, but if it is sound structurally, it could be worth saving. Although it won’t be cheap, the final product would be a stunning car that could be parked proudly next to the owner’s cottage. So, would you save it or scrap it?
These were GREAT little cars!!!
I’ve seen alot worse go for alot more.
Wow! An Italian car from Michigan rusting from the top down. Now I’ve seen everything.
Ran when parked. Awesome.
Hey, it’s just surface rust!
The upside:
1) You can arrive in style and no one will know exactly what the car is
2) You can tell them it’s a Lan-sheee-ahh
3) You can tell them it has 3 deuces on the first V6 production engine
4) You can tell them the company that built it was taken over by Ferrari (and Fiat) and used their race cars to win the F1 championship
5) You won’t see another one coming down the road at you anytime soon (unless you attend Lancia meets)
6) It’s cheap (so far)
The downside:
1) You will need to restore it before you can arrive in style
2) That will not be cheap or easy
3) Ran when parked
4) It’s from Michigan
amazing car, i wish i had spare room to store this baby.
Looks like it was covered over with some sort of plastic sail and parked outside where the moisture under the sail got at the paint. It may very well be “Rust free underneath”. My Triumph Mayflower was stored like that for close on 25 years, and looked pretty much the same, but is structurally rust free. Lets hope that’s the case. I went to look at a similar car some years ago that had stood under a tree for a few years, and it was so rotten that just pushing it out to get at something else, caused bits to fall off…..sad really as it had a good interior and chrome work! Pity that this one’s not also in ZA…..the 2 would make one good car, and restoration costs could be less without loosing the originality of total restoration.
I think I’d rather sit in the engine compartment than in the interior!
Lahn Cha is the way to pronounce the car.
I keep wanting one – the old saying Boys drive Alfa Romeos and the men drive Lancias.
Definitely save it!!!!
Not for the faint of heart. More complex than the mid 60’s Alfas, but a much better car and more attractive than the 4 door sedan. This looks like one of the Lancia series that had a transaxle rear end. People that can rebuild those aren’t exactly around the corner. It looks to be pretty much all there, but it would be a total tear down and restoration. Even the glass looks good. It is interesting that the hood looks pretty good, although the paint on the rest of the car is a real mess. Worth every penny of the $1500 as it is much better than a salvage or spares car so I expect it will be bid up.
This is one of the best cars one could buy in the 60’s. The front seats are from a 2.5 model but they could be an original fit on very early 2.8 models. Anyway, they look much better! These cars are for real Lancia lovers and the price to get this one back in shape will cost more than it’s “market value”. Keep in mind that for the Flaminia in particular, the market value is something for the ignorant. Flaminia owners enjoy their cars in all discretion, knowing they have something unique! No flashy wood or chromed wire wheels, but a beautiful engine, a beautiful transaxle, a beautiful behaviour, a beautiful sound, beautiful engineering (you need to work on it to appreciate it) the most beautiful Jaeger dials ever, beautifully detailed wheel rims, rich and soft leather… and it all comes packed in a Pininfarina coachwork the man, Pinin Farina himself, considered as his masterpiece!
Sounds too good to be true…?
19 bids. Sold for $4,550.
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Dolphin
Fyi, I now own the car. Front floor boards rotted out, some rot to the inner rocker panels, trunk floor looks like swiss cheese. Engine & drivetrain are excellent.As of now, the car is stripped down to its frame(820 photo’s and 80+ hours labor this far).It’s going to get the full treatment! I’m headed to Italy next year to hand pick the leather for the interior. Such fun! Was going to just flip it….but then I drove it. Everything they say about the way Flamimia’s ride and handle is 100% true. One word best describes it: WOW.
I am glad it found its way to n appreciative owner.
Good luck with getting it back together.
Hello Dan, I own three lancia flaminia PF Coupes; i’d be interested in your 820 photos of your restoration. And the current state in 2020? Regards, Zomerbier