The words ‘Lancia’ and ‘conventional’ are very rarely seen in the same sentence, and for a very good reason. The most romantic of the affordable Italian car brands has always had a reputation for doing things differently, for engineering ingenuity and for defying convention, creating some breathtakingly beautiful cars along the way.

Styled by renowned Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti and built by Vignale, the Flavia Convertible is one such example. Based on the Flavia saloon, which was one of the first true ‘compact executive’ cars, the convertible retained the sedan’s frontal styling, but with a truly striking profile courtesy of the Vignale drop-top treatment, while a two-door body replaced the original four-door layout.

Under the bonnet, it had a horizontally opposed ‘Boxer’ engine, commonly used in Lancias of the era and with a raucous, unique soundtrack that gave the Flavia immense character. It was a desirable car, but also a very expensive one to buy with prices to rival contemporary luxury models, meaning the Flavia Convertible was always a rare car. 1,601 were made for worldwide distribution, so it’s a rare and beautiful sight.

This one has been restored to show car standard and is well-known on the show circuit in Belgium and northern Europe. It’s a late example, with the much-improved 1,800cc flat-four engine, which replaced the notoriously weak 1,491cc unit.

Finished in smart Pewter Grey metallic, the Flavia is a handsome yet delicate machine. The body has previously been restored and welding repairs carried out underneath, with a respray in the original colour and a replacement hood. The chrome and badges are mostly original, with very light tarnishing. 

Inside, it’s in lovely order – the tobacco brown seats are in fine order and have been partially retrimmed to a high standard, while the rest of the cabin is also very well-presented, with smart beige carpets and a very smart wood-finish dash.

One of the most charming things about the Flavia is the sound it makes – the flat-four ‘Boxer’ engine chattering away in its own inimitable way, its deliberately uneven idle and free-revving nature encouraging you to open it up and listen to its distinctive bark. Being an 1,800cc model, this one has a five-speed manual transmission and Kügelfischer mechanical fuel injection for more reliable cold starts. According to the vendor, it drives well with no known faults or problems

BEFORE YOU BUY 

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 

✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies. 

✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details. 

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only. 

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✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes. On request, Car & Classic may refer you to a third-party shipping company. For more details, email [email protected]. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.