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There are some cars that revel in their exuberance – their very appearance proclaims to the world ‘I’ve arrived and to prove it I’m here!’. Others, such as the Lancia Flavia Berlina, need no tail fins or excesses of chrome, such is the confidence of its place in motoring history.

Lancia developed the Flavia to bridge the gulf between the Appia and the Flaminia ranges, although it was closer in size to the latter. Carlo Pesenti, the company’s owner, instructed his Technical Director Antonio Fessia to create a model that was technically in advance of its contemporaries. The Flavia was the company’s first front-wheel-drive car, with power from a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder alloy “boxer” unit.

Fessia had long been a devotee of FWD, and he believed that 62% of the Flavia’s weight needed to be above the front wheels. The reasoning behind such a layout was to avoid torque steer and maximise traction. The four-speed all-synchromesh transmission was controlled via a steering column lever, and there was also dual hydraulic circuit all-disc braking – another “first”. As for the Flavia’s appearance, Pietro Castagnero’s styling is best described as ‘quietly dignified’.

The Flavia debuted at the 1960 Turin Motor Show, and for 1,800,000 lire the customer gained a smart and extremely refined saloon, albeit not especially fast; the top speed was 96 mph. The list of equipment included quad headlamps, a cigar lighter, a tachometer and a front bench seat that could recline to form a double bed.

In Italy, the Flavia created its own niche. The Alfa Romeo 2600 saloon was more substantial while the very agreeable Fiat 1800/2300 had a slightly more downmarket image. As for British-market sales, these were almost inevitably limited. Lancia had officially sold cars in the UK since 1928, but they would not operate a dealership network until 33 years later.

The advertisements for the Flavia promised ‘Motoring at its Mostest’, but you would need a sympathetic bank manager before calling HYDe Park 7166 for a test drive.  Motor Sport observed in a 1962 test:

The Lancia Flavia is not a status symbol, but it is a very fine proposition for those who want individuality and refinement from a not-too-big car. At present the price in this country is inflated to £2,187 12s and even on the Common Market the basic price of £1,500 is high but, disregarding sordid finance, this is one of the World’s outstanding family cars.

However, as the Lancia cost somewhat more than a Jaguar 3.8 Mk.2, it was indeed a status symbol. An Autocar report of the previous year was rather more accurate in describing the Flavia as ‘a car for the connoisseur’. In Britain of the early 1960s, a Lancia was about as remote from everyday life as Marcello Mastroianni was from Coronation Street. Possibly the nearest alternative to the Flavia was a Slough-built Citroën DS19, for both appealed to the well-heeled driver who appreciated fine engineering.

Over the next 14 years, the Flavia would encompass various coupes, convertibles and engine options but the original Tipo 815 Berlina was the cornerstone of the range. It would not be an exaggeration to refer to it as one of Lancia’s most important models – one that redefined the marque’s image for the 1960s.  Or, as the sales copy put it - ‘a car of superlatives’.

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limit mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your classic today.