1964 Lancia FLAVIA 1.8 VIGNALE

Let’s start as we mean to go on, this Lancia is phenomenal – it really is a gorgeous motorcar. The previous owner bought chassis number 8153342093 at Bonhams’ Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Auction in May 2015, before paying the import duties and costs for shipping it to the UK. The big attraction of this particular car was that it had undergone a full bare metal restoration at a reputed cost of $100,000 only two years prior.

Vendor Alan later bought the car from its only UK owner and has subsequently spent a further £10,600 to ‘bring it up to show standard’. This has included:

• Replacement of the red leatherette interior with Red St James

hide (at a cost of over £5k)

• A comprehensive overhaul of the fuel system (new Facet fuel pump, new sender unit, replacement fuel tank and fuel lines, and a carburetor overhaul)

• Comprehensive interior and engine bay detailing

• A new set of outer headlamps

It’s a matching numbers vehicle (engine number 8158006196) and has only been used sparingly in recent years. The odometer currently shows 69,545 miles.

‘The bodywork is gun-barrel straight,’ says Alan, and it’s hard to argue. Just take a look at our photographic gallery below to confirm that. White coachwork is unforgiving when it comes to flaws and the Flavia’s long flanks and panels are all gloriously smooth. Shut-lines too are first class, with uniformity that’s pleasing to the eye. The paint itself is of a similarly high quality.

There’s a real delicacy of line to the Vignale coachwork that’s accentuated by a high quality finish to the paint. The front end is quite imposing while the rear end – with its trademark Flavia light clusters – is simple and very pretty. It’s a car that bears close scrutiny and lends the eye more interest each time you view it.

All bright work is top class with no pitting or otherwise detrimental marks and the new double duck hood fits very snugly indeed. All chrome work presents beautifully with absolutely no pitting or untoward marks. A fresh set of matching BF Goodrich Radial whitewall tyres have been fitted and suit the car’s elegant appearance to a tee.

A rare and superb condition factory hard top is also available for sale by separate negotiation.

If the Flavia scores highly on the exterior, then the freshly fitted interior will seal the deal. ‘It had leatherette from new,’ explains Alan. ‘However some of the stitching had come loose at the seam, so I said ‘bugger it’ and we fitted a brand new leather interior.’

We have to say it looks great. The red seats (piped red) look sumptuous and are accompanied by matching door cards. ‘The door panels were wrong so we remade them with the correct alloy for the kick panels at the bottom. We also remade the door handles to ensure they were as they should be.’ It also smells fantastic too.

From the little angled pockets in the foot wells to the wooden insert and handle on each front seat hinge, the attention to detail delights. Drop the hood (the convertible frame works perfectly and still retains a mark free black finish) and there’s a lovely matching tonneau cover to fit.

The horizontal speedometer, wood steering wheel and matching gear-knob (that juts out at a 45 degree angle) add to an ambience that transports you back to Italy in the 1960s and la dolce vita – Amalfi Coast, anyone?

Lancia owners learn to savour the fine details of their steeds. Simple things like turning the key (which engages only after an initial turn and insertion) become a familiar tactile pleasure.

On the move the flat-four power plant is a smooth companion in terms of power delivery, which has a pleasantly fruity exhaust note, and the brand’s famed ride quality (it silent-blocked the bejesus out of every component) is equally evident. You’ve got disc brakes at each corner so stopping power is nice and sharp, and the gearlever perfectly placed for easy shifts. It’s a lovely thing to pilot.

The underside of the bonnet has show quality quilted panels in place, which give you a nice excuse to pop the bonnet stay in place. Do exactly that to reveal a very smart engine bay – one that has benefitted from Alan’s eye for detail. If we try overly hard, we could just about say that there’s still room for further improvement, but we’re only talking the replacement or tidying up of one or two bolts with a mild touch of surface rust.

Underneath it’s clear that the metal work has been very well protected from the elements. That said there are one or two small areas that would benefit from a touch of wire brush work and a quick reseal, but these are in the minority. All components (including the all-important sub-frames) present nearly as new, and there’s a full stainless steel exhaust system fitted.

There are a number of documents of interest contained within the Flavia’s history file; key amongst these is one from Alan’s company (Alan Carrington Classic Cars Ltd) that shows an outlay of just over £10k; this was for a number of works including the upgrading of the fuel system, as well as the comprehensive interior and engine detailing work to bring it up to show standard.

You’ll also find another for the fitting of those fresh tyres from October 2019, as well as the V5 document, numerous MOT certificates and a 2015 export document for the transfer and transport of the vehicle from New York to its immediate previous owner in Leeds, UK.

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of this and other paperwork to support our claim that this car is matching numbers and has been restored and maintained to the very highest level.

From the low hanging crackle-black engine cam covers to the Flavia’s subtle interior touches, this is a car that will delight Lancisti and motorcar fans alike. The restoration still holds up beautifully and has been further enhanced by Alan’s recent works.

It’s a car that can be purchased and immediately used as a classy family classic, or cosseted and brought out for classic car shows. That decision is one for the next owner to make.

A quick check on howmanyleft.com shows just 85 Lancia Flavias registered for use on UK roads, so they’re rare in the extreme. Narrow in on Vignale Convertibles and that is further reduced to just 4, including this lovely example!

Our estimate of £42,000 to £50,000 should see the next owner receive an exceedingly fine example of the breed for a thoroughly decent price. After that the next job is pure pleasure: ensuring that new interior starts the process of developing a lovely patina.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located at The Market’s Abingdon headquarters; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.