Contents Show
This Lancia is one of Italy's almost forgotten automotive works of art. Perhaps it is due to the simple elegance of the Flavia limousine presented in 1960, which thus set a counterpoint to the fintail fashion at Mercedes, for example. Technically, however, the Flavia was futuristic and as a beautiful coupé it even took on Ferrari.
“How nice it is to drive a fast, avant-garde car in which nothing rattles and everything works!” Said a delighted specialist journalists 60 years ago about the newly introduced Lancia Flavia. In fact, the elegant sedan of the discerning middle class embodied everything that made a new Lancia at that time - and what was ultimately to lead to the downfall of the noble Italian traditional brand: quality and technology at its best, regardless of cost. In addition, there was exclusive sportiness in the form of three Gran Turismo from the studios of star designers. Pininfarina drew a coupé for the Flavia that adapted the lines of the Ferrari 250 GT, Zagato created the unconventionally contoured motorsport version Flavia Sport and a seductive Flavia Cabriolet came from Vignale. Above all, however, the 4,60 meter long Flavia Berlina caused a sensation, with its newly developed boxer engine and the first Italian large-scale production model with front-wheel drive and petrol injection, which offered a futurism that inspired connoisseurs. At least in Italy, because on export markets such as Germany, the four-cylinder Lancia cost more than a representative Opel Kapitän and almost as much as a Mercedes S-Class. Italian tailor-made suits have always been exclusive and the Flavia also demonstrated this by deliberately avoiding the chrome-plated tail fins that are otherwise popular with business liners.
Nevertheless, the Flavia initially made a small visual faux pas as a sedan: The front overhang of the body was too large and the four round headlights anticipated the gleaming insignia of later athletes such as the BMW 2002, but Lancia initially arranged them in the form of curious bulging eyes that only appeared at mutated into pleasing twin headlights after a facelift. In contrast, the Pininfarina design for the Coupé that followed in 1961 was, in the opinion of experts, perfectly shaped like no other Gran Turismo in the upper middle class. An athlete in Ferrari contours, who was also technically ahead of his competitors, demonstrated this just like the sedan through rally triumphs and with a powerful 2,0-liter engine even survived the merger with Fiat in 1969. Unfortunately, the Flavia Cabriolet, which was brought into simple elegance by Giovanni Michelotti in 1962 and manufactured by Vignale, was just as unsuccessful as the eccentric Zagato design Flavia Sport, which was launched at the same time and of which 727 units were sold in five years. There were only 1.601 vehicles of the Cabriolet, in comparison to which the Flavia Berlina looked like a mass-produced model with almost 80.000 sedans delivered. Even so, there was an air of tragedy about Flavia.
Formerly the diamond among automobiles
After all, they were the last big Lancia milled from solid, with which chief designer Antonio Fessia and the new Lancia majority owner Carlo Pesenti hoped in vain for the return of golden times for the formerly second largest Italian manufacturer. Countless ingeniously creative and correspondingly expensive details made the Flavia model family unique, but only Lancisti and unfortunately far too few customers from other brands wanted to buy these automotive diamonds. The competitors from Peugeot (404), Volvo (Amazon), BMW (New Class), Citroen (ID19 / DS19) or Mercedes (190) were significantly cheaper, not to mention price breakers with the Fiat or Ford logo.
However, none of the Lancia competitors offered four disc brakes with two brake circuits and a brake booster. Flavia's split steering column and fixed points for seat belts were progressive, that incomparably rich tone of the closing doors was not even found on Rolls-Royce, not to mention the red warning lights in the extra wide-opening portals and curtains made of the finest Italian cloth for the rear passengers. In addition, the rear side panoramic windows in the Flavia Sport, which extend into the roof, include an interplay of concave and convex window surfaces. Or the angle of the front wheels, which can be limited via levers, when using snow chains, in short the ingenuity of the Flavia designers knew no bounds. After all, it was a matter of building the best middle-class car and thus forgetting the crises of the past.
The last time the technology-loving Lancia brand was facing financial collapse in 1955 and the Lancia family had been forced to sell their company shares to the Italian building contractor Carlo Pesenti. He had recruited Antonio Fessia and commissioned the development of two volume models that were to be positioned below the state-sponsored Flaminia. It was the hour of birth for the Flavia and Fulvia models, named after ancient Roman military roads, for which Pesenti even had a new plant built in Chivasso near Turin. This, by the way, only after discussions with Fiat boss Agnelli, because Pesenti did not want to compete with new Fiat flagships with the Flavia. Accordingly, Pesenti was disappointed with the launch of the Fiat 1800 shortly before the Flavia's debut. After all, Carlo Pesenti finally implemented a common parts strategy at Lancia, between the Flavia introduced in 1960 and the Fulvia that followed three years later. An important exception: the boxer engine. The combination of boxer engine and front-wheel drive was brought by the designer Fessia from his former, financially failed employer Cemsa-Caproni, and the Flavia should succeed with it.
The financial end
Which was difficult for the weighty Flavia at first, because the 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine developed only 57 kW / 78 hp and only at high engine speeds. So the competition could not be kept at a distance. The Flavia Coupé, Cabrio and Sport also met the expectations placed on them only with additional 1,8-liter engines that offered a maximum of 77 kW / 105 PS. When finally in 1969 a 2,0-liter top-of-the-range unit made all performance discussions obsolete, Lancia's independence was already over. Although Lancia celebrated an all-time high with 1967 cars delivered in 43.000, the financial end and the takeover by Fiat followed two years later. Even under Carlo Pesenti, the engineering-driven car maker Lancia did not want to succeed in the art of making money. Despite Flavia and Fulvia, the factories were only half full and Alfa Romeo now sold almost three times as many cars. However, the Flavia's career was temporarily continued under Fiat, with the stylish Berlina and the sporty coupé now simply called Lancia 2000, face-lifted. It wasn't until 1974 that designer Fessia's most famous creation finally came to an end. Only the concept of boxer engine and front-wheel drive lived on - in the Lancia Gamma presented in 1976. And what about the Lancia Flavia launched in 2012? This Chrysler Cabriolet with a Lancia radiator grille let the legendary name flicker again before it finally went out.
Chronicle
1947: Gianni Lancia, son of Vincenzo Lancia, takes over management of the company founded in 24 at the age of 1906. Development engineer and front-wheel drive proponent Antonio Fessia leaves the Fiat factory to develop the modern mid-range Cemsa F.11 vehicle for the Italian group Cemsa-Caproni, with a four-cylinder boxer engine, front-wheel drive and independent wheel suspension. The sedan F.11 made its debut at auto shows, but series production failed due to the thin capital base of Cemsa-Caproni
1950: Market launch of the legendary Lancia Aurelia
1953: The Aurelia gets a little sister with the Appia
1955: A newly built, monumental skyscraper becomes a prestigious Lancia headquarters while the company plunges into financial crisis
1956: The management of Lancia is handed over to the industrialist Carlo Pesenti. Antonio Fessia starts at Lancia with the development of the Lancia Flavia with 1,5-liter aluminum boxer engine and front-wheel drive, thus at least partially realizing the concept of the Cemsa F.11
1957: The new flagship is the Lancia Flaminia, presented at the Geneva Motor Show
1960: The mid-range model Lancia Flavia is presented as a four-door sedan with a 1,5-liter four-cylinder boxer petrol engine at the Turin Salon. It is the first boxer at Lancia, where V-engines have dominated until then. In addition, the Flavia introduces front-wheel drive to the Italian premium brand. Disc brakes (initially from Dunlop) on all four wheels are also new. There are also new details such as red warning lights in the open doors or a lever that can be used to limit the angle of the front wheels when using snow chains. The internal codes of the series were Tipo 815/819/820. The Lancia Flavia is named after the Via Flavia, which was built by the Romans and led from Trieste to Dalmatia
1961: Lancia presents an elegantly drawn 2 + 2-seater Flavia Coupé at the Turin Salon, which was designed in the Pininfarina studios. With the wheelbase shortened from 2,65 meters to 2,48 meters compared to the sedan, a 2 + 2 seater was created, which is similar in profile and rear area to the lines of the Ferrari 250 GT or GTE 2 + 2. The trade press criticizes the fact that the Flavia Coupé only has enough torque at high engine speeds, despite two double carburettors. Then Lancia installs larger pistons and cylinder liners, just like in-house tuner Enrico Nardi has already done with a 1,7-liter engine for Fulvia
1962: Presentation of the Flavia Cabriolet designed by Michelotti and produced at Vignale and the Flavia Sport sports coupé designed by Ercole Spada and built by Zagato with a light metal body. A Flavia limousine with a long wheelbase comes from Carrozzeria Francis Lombardi and is used by authorities and ministers. The Lancia Flavia Berlina competes in the Monte Carlo Rally and comes in ninth overall. Victory at the Rallye Fiori, the Flavia Berlina is also used in hill climbs. The new Lancia Fulvia is positioned below the Flavia
1963: The Flavia gets a bigger 1,8-liter engine. Assembly of the right-hand drive limousine in South Africa
1964: A Flavia Coupé took third place in the Fiori Rally. Victories in the legendary Rallye Criterium Alpine and the Rallye Lorraine for Flavia Coupés
1965: The Lancia Flavia Iniezione is new with German mechanical Kugelfischer gasoline injection, the first Italian production car with gasoline injection. However, it took until the summer of 1966 before the first Fulvia 1800 Iniezione were delivered, with an increase in performance and at the same time lower consumption. Rene Trautmann and Claudine Buchet win the legendary Coupe des Alpes rally on Flavia Sport
1967: Major facelift for the Flavia limousine. Lancia is experiencing its best sales year to date, with a total of 43.000 vehicles being produced
1968: Lancia is in the red, delivering only 36.668 vehicles with a factory capacity of 70.000 units, while the formerly smaller manufacturer Alfa Romeo sells 97.220 vehicles
1969: The Flavia 2000 Coupé makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, while the Flavia Cabriolet and Flavia Sport have been discontinued for two years. On October 24th, Fiat communicated the takeover of Lancia, the takeover takes place at the price of three million lire (17.700 marks), but includes liabilities of 600 million marks. Lancia was once Italy's second largest car manufacturer, but is now only eighth in the registration statistics
1971: The evolutionary model Lancia 1969, developed in 2000 but postponed due to the change of ownership at Lancia, succeeds the Lancia Flavia
1972: In November, the Beta Limousine celebrates its world premiere at the Turin Salon. The Beta is the successor to the Fulvia
1974: Now the production of the Lancia 2000 ends. The new Lancia flagship is the Lancia Gamma in 1976, again with a boxer engine under the hood
2011: FCA announces a new generation of the Flavia, this time as a European variant of the American Chrysler 200 convertible
2012: Market launch of the new Flavia Cabriolet
2016: Sale of Lancia in Germany. Restriction of the brand to the Italian market
2020: The Flavia turns 60 and the community celebrates the anniversary
Production numbers
Lancia Flavia Berlina (1960-1970) in 64.739 units
Lancia Flavia / 2000 Berlina (1970-1974) in 15.025 units
Lancia Flavia Coupé (1961-1968) in 15.596 units
Lancia Flavia / 2000 Coupé (1969-1971) in 6.789 units
Lancia Flavia Cabriolet (1962-1967) in 1.601 units
Lancia Flavia Sport (1963-1967) in 727 units
Important engines
Lancia Flavia Berlina 1500 (1960-1963) with 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (57 kW / 78 PS), top speed 148 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 1500 (1963-1966) with 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (59 kW / 80 PS), top speed 150 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 1800 (1963-1967) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (68 kW / 92 PS), top speed 160 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 1800 Iniezione (1965-1966) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (75 kW / 102 PS), top speed 168 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 1500 (1967-1970) with 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (59 kW / 80 PS), top speed 152 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 1800 (1967-1970) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (68 kW / 92 PS), top speed 165 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 1800 Iniezione (1967-1970) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (75 kW / 102 PS), top speed 170 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 2000 (1969-1970) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (84 kW / 114 PS), top speed 175 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Berlina 2000 Iniezione (1969-1970) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (93 kW / 126 PS), top speed 180 km / h;
Lancia 2000 (1970-1971) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (85 kW / 115 PS), top speed 175 km / h;
Lancia 2000 Iniezione (1970-1971) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (93 kW / 126 PS), top speed 180 km / h;
Lancia 2000 (1971-1974) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (85 kW / 115 PS), top speed 175 km / h;
Lancia 2000 Iniezione (1971-1974) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (92 kW / 125 PS), top speed 180 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Coupé (1961-1963) with 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (59 kW / 80 PS), top speed 165 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Coupé (1962-1963) with 1,7-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (66 kW / 90 PS), top speed 170 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Coupé (1963-1969) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (68 kW / 92 PS), top speed 173 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Coupé (1966-1969) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (75 kW / 102 PS), top speed 180 km / h;
Lancia Flavia 2000 Coupé (1969-1971) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (85 kW / 115 PS), top speed 185 km / h;
Lancia Flavia 2000 HF Coupé (1969-1971) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (93 kW / 126 PS), top speed 190 km / h;
Lancia 2000 Coupé (1969-1971) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (85 kW / 115 PS), top speed 185 km / h;
Lancia 2000 HF Coupé (1969-1971) with 2,0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (93 kW / 126 PS), top speed 190 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Cabriolet (1961-1963) with 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (59 kW / 80 PS), top speed 165 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Cabriolet (1962-1963) with 1,7-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (66 kW / 90 PS), top speed 170 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Cabriolet (1963-1967) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (68 kW / 92 PS), top speed 173 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Cabriolet (1966-1967) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (75 kW / 102 PS), top speed 180 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Sport (1962-1963) with 1,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (59 kW / 80 PS), top speed 170 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Sport (1963-1967) with 1,7-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (66 kW / 90 PS), top speed 175 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Sport (1963-1965) with 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (74 kW / 100 PS), top speed 180 km / h;
Lancia Flavia Sport (1965-1967) with a 1,8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine (77 kW / 105 PS), top speed 187 km / h.
