In true Lancia tradition, the Flaminia took its name from the eponymous “Via Flaminia” Roman road that stretches between Rome and the Adriatic coast. At the time of its unveiling at the Turin Auto Show in 1957, the Flaminia epitomised a suave and sophisticated 1950s Italy—not only in its name, but also in appearance, with sporting models bodied by Zagato and by Touring, both of Milan.

The Flaminia Zagato Sport shared the same shortened wheelbase as its Touring GT sister model, but the youthful Ercole Spada, chief designer at Zagato, used luscious flowing lines contrasted against a sleek coupé profile for all the attributes of the finest sports cars of the era.

While the “Double Bubble” roofline characterises the Flaminia Sport’s distinctive shape, its doors feature pop-out handles, and the curvaceous body includes a low, functional air scoop on the bonnet. The appealing features and sporting credentials of the model are matched by its impressive performance figures.

A mere 526 examples of the Flaminia Sport and Super Sport were built between 1959 and 1967. The earliest “Pre-Series” examples wore covered headlights, but soon into the build cycle, covered headlights were outlawed in Italy, making these early examples highly desirable.

However, this particular Flaminia is the exception to the rule. Produced in December 1963, a letter on file from Zagato shows that their records confirm that the car did in fact leave the factory with covered headlights, without front or rear bumpers, and with sport seats. First registered in Florence in February of 1964 with the number plate FI 241987, the car remained with its first owner for four years, the car’s registration was subsequently transferred to Salerno in the ownership of Giovanni Capaldo and reregistered as SA 182510 in March of 1971.

The Flaminia remained in Capaldo’s ownership for the following eighteen years and was acquired by Flavia Bulgheroni in April of 1989 but remained in her ownership for just over a year, purchased by a Franco Torzo of Bologna in October of 1990. Passing through one subsequent owner, the car was acquired by a dealer in Casalgrande in November. Purchased by an enthusiastic Italian owner in June of 1999, that same month, the car participated in the Coppa della Toscana rally. A number of years later, the car participated in a Zagato club rally in 2017 and a V-6 Lancia rally in 2018, and was acquired by the current owner in 2021.

Remaining in Italy for its entire life, the car still presents beautifully today in its unique late-production specification with covered headlights and without bumpers, but has been fitted with standard seats for added comfort whilst touring. Invoices on file show that the seats were reupholstered, and new carpet was installed in 2012. Well-presented and uniquely specified as a later-production Flaminia Zagato with covered headlights, this would be an interesting addition to any collection, and a joy to drive on the open road.