Every company knows very good and bad years. Times of glory as well as less than glorious times. The ’50s and ’60s were as far as Lancia were concerned glory years. Mechanically they produced cars that were very refined and of a very high level of quality. That quality is perfectly exemplified in this model. We have an unrestored Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 3c 2.8 Zagato. It was Lancia’s 1968 top model. For connoisseurs, a lot of Zagato’s designs are not thought to be amongst the most elegant of designs (the Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato comes to mind). How different things turned out when it came to this design. What an absolutely beautiful car this is! We have a late Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato with the characteristic “Kamm” tail, one of Lancia’s chief designer, Ercole Spada, ideas. It is unmistakably immediately recognisable as a Zagato thanks to its so-called “Double Bubble” roofline. The feature used to be used to create more headspace in the cockpit when wearing a helmet. It has remained more of a styling hallmark on modern Zagato designs. For its time the Lancia Flaminia, the successor to the Lancia Aurelia, was well ahead of its day. The Aurelia was the first production car to be fitted with a V6 engine. This engine, though modified, found its way into the Flaminia. In this case, we have the 2.8 V6 engine with three 40 DCN double Webers. Performance does not disappoint with the Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato’s V6 developing no less than 155 PS! The car has a 4-speed manual gearbox with a transaxle. This transaxle contributes to the Lancia’s wonderful weight distribution and steady road-holding. The road-holding is further helped by its independent suspension. Lancia’s mission was to produce a car that could travel far at great speed, in reality making it more of a GT than a sports car. Looking at today’s Lancias it is hard to imagine it used to be one of the best and most advanced car brands around. The Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato was a car intended for the rich and famous. A car used by Captains of Industry to transverse Europe at great speed chasing their next deal. Enzo Ferrari used a Lancia Flaminia to visit races of his Scuderia Ferrari. The Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato has, for its time, an impressive a top-speed of 160 km/hr at 6,500 revs in fourth gear. This example is a completely original car. It is a time capsule as well as the ultimate confirmation of Lancia’s level of quality in the ’60s. The moment you step into the car it becomes obvious you are in a handcrafted car. Although unrestored, the doors still shut almost as beautifully as when the car was new. This of course does not mean the car is still factory fresh (wouldn’t that be nice?). The original paintwork has lost its lustre and has some damaged areas. The aluminium bodywork has some spots of light oxidation and signs of use. The brightwork shows its age with many parts having lost their shine over the years. Overall however it all fits with the car’s authenticity. The chassis is in good, rust-free shape. It has its original 3-part Borrani wheels shod with the correct Pirelli Cinturato tyres. The inside is as original as the exterior. The red leather upholstery has been professionally treated in order to preserve it and is remarkably supple and in good order for its age. The original Nardi wooden steering wheel is also in very good condition. The rubber mats are used and go to show that they also are completely original. Bearing the car’s age in mind, the wooden dashboard and the instruments are in exemplary condition, once more reaffirming the car’s quality credentials. Mechanically the car has had a thorough specialist service. The original engine runs fantastically in this matching numbers Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato. Whilst the temptation may be big to shift authenticity to one side and subject this Lancia to a full restoration and whilst it may be the perfect candidate for such treatment, it would most certainly be sacrilege to do so! This is most probably the purest and fullest authentic Lancia Flaminia Super Sport Zagato in the world! We would politely advise you to preserve the car and above all really enjoy it!