Description
A very original UK supplied example, 1 of 40 RHD cars, factory hard top, glamorous four seat Vignale bodied convertible, carburettor model, great colours.
History of this car
This tipo 815. 335 Flavia Convertible is one of the handful officially imported into the UK.
Our car was first registered 03/ 05/ 1967 and supplied by the famous Tony Brooks dealership in Surrey; the supplying dealer plaque is attached to the car’s B post to this day.
Delivered in Argento Auteuil, a subtle silver grey colour contrasted by a stunning red interior and supplied with a fitted factory hardtop, our car has had just the 4 owners from new and has just come out of a period of dry storage.
The history file for the car is unfortunately missing, and today it presents as an older, high quality professional body restoration on a very sound base, giving the car a charming allure with a particularly fine unrestored interior (now rare, as most cars remaining are restored using leather and carpet instead of the vinyl and rubber original materials).
Mileage recorded is 68000 miles, which is likely the genuine mileage from new but the car is sold TMU.
This model is more colour sensitive than most, and we think the silver and red combo on this one is the most attractive available.
Body
The Michelotti penned and Vignale built Flavia convertible is a distinctive design and our car has benefitted from a previous body restoration with excellent straight panel fitment with uniform tight shut lines, the doors in particular shutting with a quality thunk.
Paintwork, in the original silver colour, is very nice indeed with thin paint gauge readings, a deep shine and no orange peel, with a few small storage type marks here and there.
All five road wheels have been repainted in the correct cream colour, probably at the time of the body redo, and hub caps and wheel embellishers are in good clean condition.
There is a lot of chrome on a Flavia convertible and some of it on our car has been replated in the past and looks impressive, particularly the lovely bumpers.
Our car has a neat lined factory hardtop which fits snugly and looks particularly stylish we think. This Vignale also has original dealer fit wing mirrors and a beautiful pair of Marchal Starlux auxiliary lamps.
The hood, possibly the original, requires some attention with a few patch repairs required and ideally a new rear screen where it has yellowed. That done it will go again as it hasn’t shrunk and remains nice and taut. Or, replacement, up to you, and the asking price allows for investment here by the new owner.
Chassis wise the underside is very sharp with protective undercoating throughout and no rust.
Mechanics
The car was a non runner when we collected it from dry storage, where it had sat for 5 years we think.
The engine has had a good service with new oil and filters, a replacement oil cooler fitted, carburettor clean and tune up, new Filter King and fuel hose, new plugs, a new tacho cable and today she starts on the first push of the key, sounds great and has factory oil pressure.
All 4 tyres are new Continental radials and on test the engine pulls strongly and transmission and brakes performed well; brake calipers, servo and steering arms look newer so these have been replaced not many miles ago, perhaps before the car went into storage.
The Flavia has an advisory free MOT issued until May 2023.
Interior
This is the stand out feature of this example. All original including the dealer fit Motorola radio and Britax seat belts. The superb red seating is in undamaged condition and very comfortable. Door cards and dashboard are still fresh, and nothing is missing. Simply delightful!
It’s very tough to find this level of originality with this model, and leather retrims never replicate the subtle red shade of the original vinyl, nor the two tone detail elements.
Boot
In tidy condition with spare wheel in place; lifting the mat reveals a dry, rust free and sharp floor and fuel tank area. The weather stripping is older and would benefit replacement.
Summary
A stylish and rare (only 5 licensed on UK roads) coach built Lancia convertible for one third of the cost of an equivalent GTC or 2600 Alfa. Supplied with two sets of original keys, owner’s manual and a full tonneau cover. This car looks conspicuously good value at the price suggested, a lot of dolce vita fun for the family.
70 high res pics on the website - details above
E&OE
