- Believed to be one of 11 Flaminia GTLs registered in the UK
- One of only 300 Flaminia GTLs built
- Front cover star of the December 2001 issue of Classic & Sports Car
- Subject to recent mechanical works but retains a high degree of originality
- Regarded as the best handling GT car of its time
Introduced at the Turin Auto Show in 1957, Lancia’s Flaminia line was the successor to the ground-breaking Aurelia. The Flaminia inherited the Aurelia’s revolutionary, DeVirgilio-designed V6 and rear-mounted transaxle, but the earlier model’s sliding pillar front suspension was replaced by a more modern unequal-length double-wishbone front suspension. This excellent platform was subject to a number of coachbuilt designs to complement the factory Pininfarina offering.
The rakish Carrozzeria Touring GT was initially a two-seater, with only a carpeted shelf behind the seats. In 1963, the GT design was altered to provide 2+2 seating capability, thus the GTL was born. The 2,520mm wheelbase of the GT was lengthened by 80mm, although the overall length of the body only increased by 30mm. The Flaminia engine was also enlarged and updated, culminating in the 2.8-litre 3C, with triple Weber double-downdraft carburettors giving 150bhp. With its refinement and impressive build quality, the GTL 2.8 3C is a grand tourer in the genuine sense and is regarded as one of the finest handling cars of its period - easily competing with its contemporary Maranello rivals.
Understood to have been built in 1963, little is known of the history of chassis 8261401018 until it was imported into the UK in 2001 and registered as 'EAD 590A' by then owner, Brian McKenna. We can however determine that this already extremely rare car must have been cherished by its previous owners, as it remains in highly original condition - with the vendor believing that it has never had a restoration. On arrival to our shores, the car the joint front cover star of the December 2001 Classic & Sports Car Magazine in a vs battle between it and the Aston Martin DB5 that it was competed with in period. Overall, it was noted that the Lancia was innovative where the Aston was traditional and received a huge thumbs up for handling, ease of use and style. Between Mr McKenna and the previous owner, three further keepers had the Lancia in their custodianship, and the previous owner acquired the car in September 2013. Maintaining the car fastidiously (and thankfully with a number of receipts on file from marque specialists, Omicron) the previous owner kept the car until 2022. Upon acquisition by the vendor, who has an impressive CV of very fine GT Cars that were previously to his name, he immediately noted how incredibly original the car is, advising us that the bodywork appears "completely unwelded" apart from a professionally replaced front crossmember and supplied a number of images of the underside to demonstrate this. The delightful Red interior also appears to be in very fine original condition and still provides a very comfortable experience, with the vendor regularly using the car and even allowing his friend to take it to the Prescott Hillclimb a short time ago. Mechanically, the car is in fine fettle according to the vendor and an upgrade to a Lucas 123 distributor has been welcomed - with the all-Aluminium V6 being more responsive than ever.
With three Lancias in his garage, the vendor has decided to allow one to go to make way for another interesting GT car, thus presents the opportunity for any enthusiast to get their hands on a thoroughbred Italian GT for less than the price of a new BMW 3 Series. Need we say more?
