If the Mercedes 560SL was known as the doctor’s wife’s car, the Flavia was its Italian counterpart. Stylish and expensive but with performance best described as dignified rather than sporting, the Flavia was sleeved between Lancia’s low-end Appia and its top-shelf Flaminia. The model’s foundation was conceived in 1947 by engineer Antonio Fessia when he worked for CEMSA-Caproni, an aeronautics firm. Fessia was tasked with designing automobiles for the company to take it in a new direction. His first car was the F11, a front-wheel-drive dumpling of a sedan. Later, landing at Lancia, he drew on the same engineering essentials to deliver the Flavia, a far more sporting venture. Today’s example – a convertible by Vignale – will be sold by Iconic Auctioneers at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale on November 14th in Birmingham, England. The estimate is £30,000 – £35,000, and we have Araknid78 to thank for sending us the tip!
Not only was the Flavia Italy’s first front-wheel-drive production car, but it also motored with a flat-four boxer engine – the first of these displacing 1.5 liters. Improvements applied to this same block increased horsepower in tiny increments. In 1963, a jump to 1.8 liters boosted output to a respectable 91 hp. This engine proved to be more reliable as well. Here, it is mated to a four-speed all-synchro gearbox. An extensive restoration said to have taken 12 years still left this car wanting: the air cleaner is a cheap chrome affair, wholly inappropriate for this elegant gal, and couldn’t a plain black-top battery have been deployed? This photo of a much tidier Flavia shows the original air cleaner.
The interior was reupholstered in red, rather than its original black; the matching cloth top is a fine choice, but I would have gone with black to provide a counterpoint to the interior. The hardtop is rare and a valuable accessory to this car. Front wheel drive yields a flat floor, providing plenty of space for occupants to stretch out. The simple instrument panel is stylish enough, but a clear step down from the more driver-focused Flaminia. No criticizing the trunk, however – it’s pristine.
The first Flavia arrived in 1961 wearing a four-door, Berlina sedan body. The sedate looks did nothing for sales, but all was not lost: Italian car makers routinely farmed out their new models to independent coachbuilders. The Flavia coupe was designed by Pininfarina, and this convertible was penned by Giovanni Michelotti while he was working at Vignale. Only 40 RHD examples were made. In the US, these cars are rare, but slightly controversial looks and complicated mechanicals hold back values. A very nice convertible might exceed $30k but project cars will sell for less than $5k. The graceful Pininfarina coupes will bring considerably more at auction. Minor improvements to our featured car could add value and bring it to show condition with little investment. What do you think of this vintage Italian?
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