First introduced at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, Lancia’s new Flaminia shared mechanicals with the Aurelia, albeit with a modern double wishbone suspension in place of the Aurelia’s sliding pillar suspension. Initially offered with a 100 bhp 2.5-litre engine, displacement was increased to 2.8-litres in 1963 and horsepower increased to 140 bhp. Named after the Italian road leading from Rome to Rimini, the Flaminia could be had with bodywork from a handful of different Italian coachbuilders including Pininfarina and Carrozzeria Touring, but Zagato’s coachwork is arguably the most attractive and sought after.

This special Zagato-bodied variant was offered in three series – the Sport, with covered headlights; the second series with a more conventional nose and front grille; and finally, the Super Sport, like this example. It features a slender grille with recessed headlights and an engine fitted with triple carburetors increasing horsepower to 152 bhp while providing a top speed of 210 km/h. Just 150 examples were produced from 1964 to 1967 making it the most powerful and desirable model.

The example offered here was designated for the Italian market and purchased new by Eleonora Santini D’Acunto. It was first registered on May 7, 1965 wearing the numberplate Roma E48111. Copies of her Italian registration documents are included along with the bill of sale to its 2nd owner, Italian nobleman Count Giovanni Fani Ciotti, who purchased the car in 1970. Amazingly, he would go on to keep the car for over forty years, and documentation from his ownership through 1986 is included. The car was placed into storage sometime thereafter and remained there until early 2012. The Flaminia was removed in project condition from Ciotti’s villa by Daniele Turrisi purchased the car and brought it to display at the Techno Classica Essen.

At the Techno Classica, the car was purchased by its current custodians, who decided to embark on a three-year nut and bolt restoration to bring the car back to its former glory. The restoration itself was conducted in Germany and supervised by Reiner Kux and the engine was rebuilt by Lancia master technicians Track Motortechniek of the Netherlands. Restoration was completed in May 2016 and after 200 initial shakedown kilometers, it has been used sparingly since.

The car was imported into the U.S. in 2016 for a short period of time prior to be shipped to Dubai in July of 2017, and it has remained there ever since. In December of that year, it received Best of Show honors at the Gulf Concours and in November 2019 it was showcased at the Dubai International Motor Show.

Photos of the engine rebuild as well as a book of 1,000 photos documenting the restoration are included with the vehicle. Handwritten bills of sale, the original Italian owner’s manual, an English translation owner’s manual, and an original Italian dealer directory; are included along with the tool roll. Finished in its original color combination, the Flaminia is described by the consignor as “simply one of the finest to ever come to market”, no doubt thanks to its beautiful restoration, known history, and supremely attractive Zagato coachwork.