Mostrando postagens com marcador Lancia. Mostrar todas as postagens
Mostrando postagens com marcador Lancia. Mostrar todas as postagens

segunda-feira, 1 de maio de 2023

Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III "Tipo Bocca" by Pinin Farina 1936, Itália

 
















































Lancia Astura Cabriolet Series III "Tipo Bocca" by Pinin Farina 1936, Itália
Fotografia


Debuting in 1931, the Lancia Astura carried on the marque’s reputation for innovation, performance, and production quality. The model featured independent front suspension with self-lubricating sliding pillars, and was powered by Lancia’s famous narrow-angle V-8. The third-series Astura arrived for 1933 with an enlarged engine rated at 82 horsepower, and for the first time it was offered in two wheelbase lengths: 908 were built as Tipo 233L “Lungo” models with a wheelbase of 131 inches, and 328 were constructed to “Corto”, Tipo 233C specification on a 122-inch wheelbase.
Though well-engineered, these chassis were often clothed in conservative bodywork. Those seeking something more exclusive enlisted the services of a coachbuilder—and when it came to crafting exquisite bodywork on the Astura’s advanced underpinnings, no one did it better than Carrozzeria Pinin Farina and stylist Mario Revelli di Beaumont. The design seen on this chassis, number 33-5301, would later come to be known as ‘Tipo Bocca’ in reference to Vittorio Bocca, an important North-Italian Lancia dealer at the time. He is said to have eventually commissioned a number of cars in this style: three on long-wheelbase chassis and three on short-wheelbase chassis.
According to the Lancia Classiche Certificate of Origin on file, Astura chassis number 33-5301 was completed on 30 June 1936. This bare short-wheelbase chassis was subsequently delivered to Pinin Farina, where it received its exquisite ‘Tipo Bocca’-style bodywork. Each ‘Tipo Bocca’ Cabriolet featured slightly different details, yet each possessed an aerodynamic profile with a strong horizontal emphasis fronted by a dramatic “waterfall” grille, a fold-flat windscreen, curved side windows, and a power-operated top—a novelty in the 1930s.
Research conducted by reputed Lancia historian Wim Oude Weernink reveals that chassis 33-3501 is the only example of the six ‘Tipo Bocca’ Lancia Asturas that was not road-registered, and was instead sent to the 1937 Berlin Motor Show. From a Pinin Farina advertisement in Motor Italia, it is possible to see that its exterior was finished in a two-tone colour. The Telefunken radio fitted to the Lancia is another hint of the car’s German past. Furthermore, a later American owner of the Astura wrote an article for the American Lancia Club journal in the 1970s, proclaiming that his car had originally been delivered—then fitted with a radio—by the German Lancia dealer, E. Uebel, in 1937. The engine fitted to this example, numbered 41122, is not the original unit but a replacement example from a 1938 Lancia Astura Series IV, sharing the same 2.9-litre V-8 design.
Eventually, the cabriolet made its way to the United States; photographs on file show that it resided in New York by the late-1950s, apparently complete though somewhat worn. Sadly, as later photos on file illustrate, its cosmetic condition would continue to deteriorate over the years.
Salvation arrived in late 1982, when a notable Swiss collector with a deep appreciation for Lancias rescued chassis 33-5301 from neglect. As documented by photos on file, a total restoration then commenced, which saw the Pinin Farina bodywork completely refurbished and finished in an elegant silver with a black top. The interior, too, is richly detailed, including intricate diamond-shaped basket-weave upholstery of red leather in the period Italian pattern known as intrecciato, an eye-catching feature visible in historic photos of the car. This remarkable restoration would take nearly 40 years to complete.
Acquired by the consignor in 2020, it is important to note that—while other ‘Tipo Bocca’ examples have won acclaim at the world’s most prestigious concours events—this Lancia has not yet been shown since the completion of its restoration. Offering an incredible opportunity for exhibition, this Astura Series III Cabriolet ‘Tipo Bocca’ embodies the very best of pre-war motoring—representing a moment when Lancia’s cutting-edge engineering and Pinin Farina’s unparalleled artistry combined to form a wonderful, rare, and truly timeless piece of moving sculpture.

quarta-feira, 15 de março de 2023

Lancia Flaminia Sport By Zagato 1959, Itália

 














































Lancia Flaminia Sport By Zagato 1959, Itália
Fotografia




In true Lancia tradition, the Flaminia took its name from the eponymous “Via Flaminia” Roman road that stretches between Rome and the Adriatic coast. At the time of its unveiling at the Turin Auto Show in 1957, the Flaminia epitomised a suave and sophisticated 1950s Italy—not only in its name, but also in appearance, with sporting models bodied by Zagato and by Touring, both of Milan.
The Flaminia Zagato Sport shared the same shortened wheelbase as its Touring GT sister model, but the youthful Ercole Spada, chief designer at Zagato, used luscious flowing lines contrasted against a sleek coupé profile for all the attributes of the finest sports cars of the era.
While the “Double Bubble” roofline characterises the Flaminia Sport’s distinctive shape, its doors feature pop-out handles, and the curvaceous body includes a low, functional air scoop on the bonnet. The appealing features and sporting credentials of the model are matched by its impressive performance figures.
A mere 526 examples of the Flaminia Sport and Super Sport were built between 1959 and 1967. The earliest “Pre-Series” examples wore covered headlights, but soon into the build cycle, covered headlights were outlawed in Italy, and so only 99 of these cars were made, making them highly sought after by enthusiasts today. Nearly all of these 99 cars were fitted with a single Solex carburettor which gave 119 bhp from the 2.5 litre engine (designated 823.00.XXX), but only 5 cars, of which this is one, were fitted by Lancia by special request with a 150 bhp triple Weber engine designated 823.11.XXX – in this case engine number 823.11.1095 which is included in the sale. By 1962, coinciding with the disappearance of the covered headlights, the single Solex engine was replaced by the factory with a triple Weber engine designation 823.10.XXX giving 140 bhp from a less radical state of tune than the competition 823.11 engine.
This early example, fitted with Perspex side and rear windows and competition seats, as well as the special competition engine, was first registered in Varese in early 1960. The Flaminia’s Estratto Chronologico shows that it was delivered to Maria Dell’ Acqua of Casciago. Importantly, the car is also listed in John de Boer’s Italian Car Registry. Subsequent ownership sees the car pass through Frosione and Rome, with the last stamp in its Estratto showing it located in Rome in 1988. The Flamina resurfaced in Florence in 2005 and was subsequently restored in its native Italy. Later emigrating to Germany, it was awarded a FIVA Identity Card in 2009—prior to first being registered in the U.K. in November 2010, having then been acquired by the consigning owner, a true enthusiast with wonderful taste in automobiles.
Looking to enhance the car’s overall driving experience, the current owner decided to make several performance enhancements, using only period-correct original Flaminia components. He acquired a complete 2.8-litre Flaminia Supersport engine, boasting the larger 40 mm carburettors and a Supersport transaxle (fitted with the later close ratios and tall final drive) from Omicron Classico of Mulbarton, Norwich.
After enjoying the car for a while in this configuration, he had the engine further improved by the highly respected Jim Stokes Workshops of Waterlooville, Hampshire. This work brought output to 180 bhp and 191 ft/lbs of torque, with an almost flat torque curve from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. Importantly, the complete and original 2.5-litre 3C competition engine and transaxle are included in the sale, as well as numerous invoices chronicling this work.
With long distance rallies in mind, an extra 15-litre fuel tank and twin Facit electric fuel pumps were fitted. Over the course of the last decade, the current owner and his wife have used and enjoyed the car on rallies around the world, ranging from Chile and Argentina, to Scotland, France, Switzerland, and the Flaminia’s native Italy. On those tours, they have found the car to be completely reliable, docile, and well-mannered to drive.
To give further context to the car’s performance, in his 1961 road test of a factory experimental Lancia 3C 2.5-litre Flaminia Zagato, Bernard Cahier found that its acceleration times were nearly equal with those of an Aston Martin DB4 and Ferrari 250 GT, stating that “the Lancia's outstanding road handling, plus terrific torque down low, would make these cars work very hard indeed to keep up with it”. With this car boasting an improved 2.8-litre engine with much more power and torque than was available in period, the performance is even more impressive than that of the car Cahier tested.
Finished in an attractive shade of blue, this Lancia’s light grey leather interior trim is complemented by features such as lightweight-style racing seats, Perspex side and rear windows, delicate aluminium door handles and a trap door to the rear luggage compartment to accommodate the full length of the sporting owner’s skis!
With such inviting visual appeal, connoisseurs of Italian cars of this era regard the Flaminia Sport as one of the most enticing sports cars available. Considering this particular car’s further mechanical upgrades thoughtfully outfitted by its current custodian, this Flaminia would be a true joy to drive and offers the perfect combination of looks, performance, and Italian sophistication.