LANCIA - Flaminia - Touring 3C GT 2.5

Caratteristiche

Descrizione

The Flaminia 3C GT  - from Quattroroute :

Aesthetics The line is rather pleasing: clean and taut, a little too elaborate around the twin headlights and the trapezoid tail lights. The standard of finish leaves a lot to be desired however, especially considering the price and above all if one recalls the traditional Lancia finish.

Interior. The interior is amply dimensioned, especially in height; the seats though a little close to the floor are comfortable enough and give some lateral support as well. Unpardonable in such a car is the lack of a "hang on" handle for the passenger and any means for regulating the backrests of the seats. Good luggage capacity; both in the trunk and behind the seats (pity no strap is provided here to anchor them down).

The driving position is, for persons of short and medium stature, "sunk" because of the lowness of the seat combined with the height of the steering wheel (which can be pulled in or out a maximum of 40mm) and the dash. Overall the instruments are complete and visible, united in two good circular dials. Visibility ahead is mediocre, towards the ground, limiting manoeuvrability, which to the rear is however good. In proportion to the cost of the car the accessories are few. As well as those mentioned, let us recall that the sun visors cannot be turned to the side, there are no map pockets, the deflectors open only partially. We note also that lacking any rearward ventilation, air exchange in the interio is slow.

'La Tecnica'. All the Flaminias are characterized by technics not revo-lutionary, but undoubtedly original even if not new; this for the divided placement of the motor and transaxle. In fact the motor (the only V6 in production anywhere) is in the front while the clutch, gearbox and differ-ential are housed together on the rear axle.

Handling. We tried out this model as soon as it appeared and when its motor had not yet been modified to give the extra power now available.  Evidently, perhaps because we had the car longer enabling us to benefit longer from it or perhaps because even the suspension has been modified in the interim, that slight indecision in its road holding we noticed then has now disappeared and we have to admit that even in the most trying circumstances the car has demonstrated superb road holding, also confirmed by the average speed in the test hill climb. With a car fitted with 3 carburettors it would be logical to expect, especially at low revs carburation difficulties and more specially one would assume that town driving would hardly be possible without abundant use of the gears. The truth is, as the acceleration curve from 30 kph in 4th shows, the cars allows for quite relaxed towndriving. It pleases us to be able to note this because it is the most difficult condition to achieve when engines have complex multiple carburettors. At speed (and the car has, even though under particularly favourable atmospheric conditions, touched very interesting levels indeed: 203 kph against the 191 kph listed) its stability is excellent and allows even rapid manoeuvres without tending to augment or or deform the trajectory imposed by brusque or evasive steering. Braking was always efficient in every condition, no fading was observed.

From the technical point of view the car is without doubt appreciable and pleasing and like all Lancias supports without strain long runs at high revs in virtue of the excellent oil cooling system. It is possible to keep continuously to 6000 rpm and even beyond without the motor evidencing any tiredness. The gears are good, the change being rapid and precise. The clutch too is good, though it can be made to slip when forced. From the technical point of view therefore, this car is beyond criticism. Perhaps augmenting the capacity would allow greater driving plasticity and uniformity more in tune with that fast touring for which the car seems destined.

After that about this car :

Chassis No : 824.10         Engine type: 823.10         Capacity: 2458 cc        BHP max : 140 HP  @ 5600        3 WEBER Carburettors

Color: Avorio Chantilly       Numbers constracted : 682 

The detailed restoration of the car, which took more than 2 years, was completed six months ago. You can find detailed documentation about this at this link. It is also available in printed book form.

https://ln5.sync.com/dl/466a46f10#zbm8bm7b-vq43p8c3-nqz42c4u-36wgxwe3     

 The car has German registration, but it also has the original Italian registration. 

The car can currently be viewed in Essen , Germany.

Attila Reguly 

classic vehicle

restoration engineer

+36 30 9364 474

regulyattila@gmail.com