Lancia Flaminia Berlina (1957 – 1970) Review

The Lancia Flaminia may have been a straight replacement for the Aurelia, but it was a far bigger, more grandiose car. But despite its bulk, the Flaminia was a hugely stylish and elegant saloon that brought true modernity to the Lancia range's external design. Under the Pininfarina-penned skin, it was largely familiar stuff, with only the front suspension being a major deaprture - it was changed to a more conventional double wishbones set-up. The rear suspension was the same De Dion set-up used in the Aurelia; as was the transaxle.

The new car was a major step forward, and heralded a new design direction for Lancia, with Pininfarina going for a more angular (if conventionally beautiful) style. It could be argued that the Flaminia was merely a remix of Pininfarina's work at Peugeot, Fiat and BMC, but it was a handsome car nevertheless. A new 2458cc V6 was developed for the Flaminia, which was later enlarged to 2.8-litres and 160bhp - enough for 100mph.