Chassis: 824.00.1097
Engine: 823.00.1453
One of Only 99 Pre-Series Zagato-Bodied Flaminia Sports
An Extremely Stylish and Sophisticated Italian Gran Turismo
Renowned Lancia Engineering with Lightweight Double-Bubble Coachwork
Show-Quality Restoration Overseen by StreetWorks Exotics of Wisconsin
Displayed at Exclusive Concours Including Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este
Retains Matching-Numbers Engine and Transaxle per Lancia Classiche
2,458 CC OHV V-6 Engine
Single Solex Carburetor
119 BHP at 5,100 RPM
4-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Dunlop Servo-Assisted Disc Brakes
Front Independent Suspension with Wishbones and Coil Springs
Rear De Dion Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Panhard Rod
In 1957, Lancia unveiled the long-awaited successor to the Aurelia, a model revered for its state-of-the-art engineering and superb driving characteristics. The new Flaminia was an evolution of the well-proven Aurelia concept, which also made use of an alloy V-6 engine, De Dion rear suspension, and rear-mounted, four-speed transaxle.
The model’s most notable departure from its predecessor was its front suspension, which featured a modern double-wishbone configuration, and use of four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes. As a result, the Flaminia maintained traditional Lancia qualities, but was even more refined, with improved handling and stopping power.
Lancia initially offered the Flaminia in two Pinin Farina body styles – a two-door coupe and four-door saloon. At the Torino Motor Show in 1958, Lancia debuted two new variants on a short-wheelbase platform: the Touring-bodied GT and the Zagato-bodied Sport.
With the Flaminia Sport, Zagato penned an elegant, streamlined coupe that incorporated the firm’s signature design motifs. Constructed from lightweight aluminum panels, the coachwork had attractive covered headlamps, a prominent central hood scoop, flush door handles, and Zagato’s famous “double-bubble” roofline. Unlike most Zagato-bodied cars, which featured purposeful interiors, the Flaminia Sport was well appointed with comfortable bucket seats and ample storage. Zagato’s design was functional as well as aesthetically pleasing; the Sport’s alloy bodywork was substantially lighter than the GT and possessed superior aerodynamic qualities, giving the car a top speed approaching 115 mph.
During 1959, Lancia and Zagato produced 99 examples of the original Flaminia 2500 Sport. The success of these early-production “pre-series” cars, distinguished by type no. 824.00, encouraged Lancia to offer variants of the Zagato-bodied Flaminia for nearly a decade.
This Flaminia Sport, chassis 1097, is among the finest examples in existence. One of the highly sought-after pre-series variants, this car’s known ownership history begins with Caretti Patrizia of Italy, who is thought to have owned the Lancia for many years. Exported to the US in 1984, the Flaminia Sport subsequently passed through the ownership of Italian car enthusiasts Anton Krivanek and Paul Forbes, before being sold in 1987 to well-known European car collector Guido Bartolomeo. Mr. Bartolomeo retained the Lancia until his passing in 2003, whereupon Mr. Forbes reacquired the car.
Soon after its return to California, the Flaminia Sport was sold to Bruce Milner, a Los Angeles-based collector of sophisticated European sports cars. Having already restored multiple Pebble Beach class winners under his ownership, Mr. Milner decided to undertake an uncompromising, exhaustively researched restoration of this Lancia.
Mr. Milner commissioned Matt Backhaus of StreetWorks Exotics in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, to oversee the restoration process and enlisted long-serving Pebble Beach judge John Ling, who had owned the restoration firm when it was known as Silverstone, to consult on the project. Furthermore, marque expert Tony Nicosia served as a valuable source for original parts and helped ensure the accuracy of the work performed.
Between 2004 and 2008, the Lancia was restored to exacting standards, with great attention paid to correct finishes and materials. Any necessary components were sourced in Europe at great effort and expense, and the striking period color scheme of metallic blue-green over pumpkin was chosen to highlight the Zagato design. Reportedly, over $450,000 was invested in the restoration project.
The exacting restoration has been rewarded with numerous accolades. Under Mr. Milner’s ownership, the Flaminia was awarded Third in Class at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® (where Lancia was celebrated as the featured marque) and won prizes at the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance, San Marino Motor Classic, and Milwaukee Masterpiece. After passing through the care of another Southern California collector, the Flaminia Sport was acquired by Leo Schigiel, the noted Miami-based Italian car collector.
Mr. Schigiel exhibited the Sport at the 2016 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance, earning Best Post-War Closed Car, and at the 2017 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. While in Italy, the Flaminia Sport was sent to Lancia Classiche for certification. Completed in February 2018, the accompanying certification book notes that this rare Zagato-bodied Flaminia retains its matching-numbers engine and transaxle.
Now offered on behalf of another respected Florida-based collection, the Flaminia Sport remains in superb order throughout – a testament to the quality of the restoration and the care it has received over the past 15 years.
In his classic book La Lancia: 70 Years of Excellence, Wim H.J. Oude Weernink opines that the original covered-headlight Flaminia Sports are “regarded as Zagato’s best and most balanced design.” Four decades later, these exquisite cars are still considered the most desirable of the entire Flaminia range and thus are among the most collectible of all postwar Lancias.
*Please note that this vehicle is titled 1960.
Caretti Patrizia, Italy (acquired by 1984)Anton Krivanek, Los Angeles, California (acquired from the above in 1984)
Paul Forbes, Los Angeles, California (acquired from the above circa 1985)
Guido Bartolomeo, Paris, France (acquired from the above in 1987)
Paul Forbes, Los Angeles, California (reacquired from the estate of the above in 2003)
Bruce Milner, Los Angeles, California (acquired from the above in 2004)
John La Barbera, Pasadena, California (acquired from the above in 2012)
Leo Schigiel, Miami, Florida (acquired from the above by 2015)
Current Owner (acquired from the estate of the above)