Lancia Flavia 2000

Vehicle: Lancia Flavia 2000

Date: 1971

Engine: 1991cc

Specifications: 3 door, coupé, red, front-wheel drive, servo assisted brakes

Original condition: MOT valid to October 2009, rusty

Launched in 1961, the Flavia saloon maintained Lancia’s enviable reputation for advanced and innovative automotive engineering.

Designed by Antonio Fessia and inspired by his Cemsa prototype of 1947, the Flavia was Italy’s first series-production car to employ front-wheel drive.

Carried well forward of the front wheels, the engine was a 1,488cc, overhead-valve, horizontally-opposed four; suspension was independent at the front and by beam axle at the rear, and there were dual-circuit, servo-assisted disc brakes all round.

The saloon was joined by a shorter-wheelbase Pininfarina-styled Coupe in 1962, the latter providing the basis for a convertible version by Vignale.

This right-hand drive Flavia Coupé has the more-desirable 1,991cc engine.