Since acquisition in 2002 by the vendor, the 1930 Lancia Lambda 8th-Series Coupé has taken part in the Valli e Nebbie, Ferrara and Grand Prix Marconi, Bologna in 2002; Raduno Lambda, Modena and Esposizione Padova in 2003; Grand Prix della Perugina, Perugia and Grand Prix Nuvolari, Mantova in 2004; and Valli e Nebbie and the Mille Miglia in 2005. The Lancia Flaminia 2.8 3C Superleggera  in the Bonhams auction is an example of the 2.8-litre, 120mph 3C GTL, a mere 300 of which were made between 1963 and 1967. This striking Zagato-bodied Lancia Flaminia Sport 3C Coupé features the Milanese styling house's renowned 'double bubble' body form in which low overall lines and a rounded streamlined shape are achieved by the simple but ingenious device of convex head-clearance roof bulges above each front seat. A correction in the market value of Lancia Aurelia B20GTs has been long overdue and seems finally to be happening; the $300,000 asked for a similar example at a Pebble Beach exposition this summer is one example, not to mention the $550,000 achieved by a Spyder version the same weekend.

Four stunning Lancias will take centre stage at Bonhams Gstaad auction Ferrari et les Prestigieuses Italiennes this month: a Flaminia 2.8 3C Superleggera (1963), an Aurelia B20GT (1954), a Flaminia Super Sport 3C 2.8 'Double Bubble' Coupé (1968) and a Lambda 8th-Series Coupé (1930).

Lot No: 203; 1963 Lancia Flaminia 2.8-Litre 3C Superleggera coupé; Coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring; Chassis no. 826.140-1005

The coupé and convertible versions of the Lancia Flaminia was made in relatively small numbers and surviving examples in good condition are, therefore, quite rare. Lancia’s Pininfarina-styled Flaminia saloon had debuted at the 1956 Turin Motor Show. Designed by newly recruited Antonio Fessia and intended as a replacement for the Aurelia, the Flaminia retained its predecessor’s mechanical layout, though the form of unitary construction was changed and Lancia’s traditional ‘sliding pillar’ independent front suspension, which had been used on every model since 1922, gave way to a more-modern double wishbone and coil-spring arrangement. Aurelia carry-overs were the overhead-valve, 60-degree V6 engine and De Dion rear transaxle (with inboard brakes), although the former had been extensively reworked by Fessia, resulting in a much stronger power unit than that designed by his predecessor, Vittorio Jano. The short-wheelbase Flaminia Coupé appeared in 1958, followed by the Touring-styled GT and GTL (2+2) coupés and the Convertible. The latter trio shared a further-shortened (to 99”) wheelbase with the Sport and Super Sport models, and all featured disc brakes and increased power. The 2,458cc V6 produced 119bhp when installed in the more sporting Flaminias, with 140bhp available in the ‘3C’ models from 1961, which was further increased when the 2,775cc version arrived in 1963.

The car offered here is an example of the 2.8-litre, 120mph 3C GTL, a mere 300 of which were made between 1963 and 1967. Bought by the current owner in 1990 from a museum in the Jura region of Switzerland, it underwent significant refurbishment circa 1991 and is presented in excellent, rust-free condition, retaining its aromatic original red leather interior. Light and "veloce" in the best traditions of the marque, this fine looking Italian classic is offered with Swiss Permis de Circulation.

Estimate: CHF40,000 - 50,000

Lot No: 211; 1954 Lancia Aurelia B20GT Coupé; Coachwork by Pinin Farina; Chassis no. B20 3630; Engine no. B20 4382

Introduced in 1907, Vincenzo Lancia's first car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention that would remain associated with the marque well into the modern era. Lancia recommenced production after WW2 with the Aprilia and its smaller cousin the Ardea, but waiting in the wings was yet another groundbreaking design: the Aurelia. Lancia's classic Aurelia, the first car ever to employ a V6 engine, was launched at the 1950 Turin Motor Show. Designed in wartime by Francesco de Virgilio, the 1,754cc 60-degree V6 was of all-aluminium construction and used overhead valves operated via short pushrods instead of Lancia's traditional overhead camshafts. An advanced unitary-construction design, the Aurelia retained Lancia's 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension, first seen on the Lambda, but used a novel semi-trailing-arm layout at the rear, another world first. The transmission too, was unusual, comprising a two-piece prop-shaft and combined gearbox/rear transaxle on which were mounted the inboard brakes, though for once this was not an entirely new departure.

The B10 saloon was joined the following year by the Pinin Farina-styled B20 Coupe, a fastback '2+2' on a shortened wheelbase which, with its combination of sportscar performance and saloon car practicality, can be said to have introduced the Gran Turismo concept to the world. The Aurelia engine had been increased to 1,991cc in 1951 and it was this unit in up-rated form that went into the B20. Lighter and higher geared than the saloon, the B20 was good for a top speed of over 100mph. Introduced in 1953, the 3rd and subsequent series B20s were powered by a 2,451cc, 118bhp version of the pushrod V6, while 4th-series onwards cars had De Dion rear suspension instead of the original semi-trailing-arm arrangement.

An engineering tour de force clothed in sublime coachwork by Italy's foremost carrozzeria, the Aurelia B20 represents for many the zenith of Lancia's post-war production. Discerning drivers respected its pace and handling - Formula 1 aces Fangio and Hawthorn both loved their B20s - while styling connoisseurs feted Pinin Farina's trend-setting coupe envelope for its elegant simplicity. Even in 1958, at the end of its eight-year cycle, a B20 was still one of the quickest, and most stylish, methods of arriving at your destination.

Supplied new to France, this 4th series B20 Coupé has enjoyed only three owners from new, the last for 25 years. Featured in the 1983 book 'Le Favolose Vetture Europee, 1950-1965' (published by EPA) and described as in very good, original condition, the car is elegantly finished in black with dove grey cloth upholstery and factory tinted windows. It comes with numerous invoices relating to its mechanical upkeep and is offered with owner's handbook, French Carte Grise and FIVA identity card. The car successfully completed the 2007 Sestrière historic rally.

A correction in the market value of Lancia Aurelia B20GTs has been long overdue and seems finally to be happening; the $300,000 asked for a similar example at a Pebble Beach exposition this summer is one example, not to mention the $550,000 achieved by a Spyder version the same weekend. Drive a B20GT and a Ferrari of the same vintage back to back and you won't ask why.
Local taxes will apply if the car remains in Switzerland.

Estimate: CHF120,000 - 140,000

Lot No: 220; 1968 Lancia Flaminia Super Sport 3C 2.8-Litre 'Double Bubble' Coupé; Coachwork by Carrozzeria Zagato; Chassis no. 826.232-002149; Engine no. 826.200-2161

This striking Zagato-bodied Lancia Flaminia Sport 3C Coupé features the Milanese styling house's renowned 'double bubble' body form in which low overall lines and a rounded streamlined shape are achieved by the simple but ingenious device of convex head-clearance roof bulges above each front seat. One of the oldest and most respected of automotive design firms, Zagato was quick to exploit the popularity of the new GT racing category after WW2, supplying factory teams and catering for the privateer scene with road-able cars that could be driven competitively on the racetrack come the weekend. The creator of some of the most memorable designs of this, arguably Zagato's most productive period, was Ercole Spada. Favouring soft fluent, aerodynamic lines, Spada introduced the sawn-off 'Kamm' tail on the Alfa Romeo Giulia Tubolare Zagato and was also responsible for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and 2600 SZs. His creations on Lancia chassis included the Zagato Sport/Super Sport variants of the Flavia, Fulvia and Flaminia.

Introduced at the 1956 Turin Motor Show, the Flaminia retained its Aurelia predecessor's mechanical layout, though Lancia's traditional 'sliding pillar' independent front suspension gave way to a more modern double wishbone arrangement. Aurelia carry-overs were the 60-degree, 2,458cc, overhead-valve, V6 engine and De Dion rear transaxle with inboard brakes. The Zagato-bodied Sport and Super Sport models shared a shortened wheelbase with the Touring-styled GT/GTL coupes and the Convertible, and all featured disc brakes and increased power. A 2,775cc engine was introduced for 1963, by which time the sportier Flaminias were capable of around 200km/h (130mph), and a '3C' triple carburettor option was available for those who considered even this performance too tame. Famous owners included Italian 'King of Cool' actor Marcello Mastroianni and the equally suave Duke of Aosta, both of whose Flaminia Super Sport Zagatos have achieved record prices at previous Bonhams sales.

This example of the last word in old-style Lancia design is one of the very last of only 187 Flaminia Super Sports made and was supplied new in Italy. The vendor advises us that the car has enjoyed only three owners from new, the last (well-known Lancia collector Edilberto Mandelli) for 31 years. Handsomely finished in cream with contrasting red leather upholstery, it is described as in very good, original condition in every respect, its odometer showing 38,000km. This elegant alternative to a Maserati or Aston Martin is offered with jack and Italian registration papers. Local taxes will be liable if it remains in Switzerland.

Estimate: CHF200,000 - 250,000

Lot No: 222; 1930 Lancia Lambda 8th-Series Coupé; Coachwork by Airflow Streamline; Chassis no. 20354; Engine no. 10370

One of the most gifted automobile engineers of all time, Vincenzo Lancia founded his own company in 1906, having previously been in FIAT’s employ as chief test driver. Introduced in 1907, the first Lancia car showed an independence of thought and defiance of convention that would remain associated with the marque well into the modern era. Military vehicles, lorries, vans and aero engines followed, the latter enabling Lancia to accrue valuable expertise in the design and construction of vee-configuration engines. Lancia’s first vee-engined model - the V8 Trikappa sports car - appeared in 1922 but it was the Lambda, launched soon after, that would prove to be of even greater significance. A milestone in automotive history, the revolutionary Lambda was the world’s first car to have a stress-bearing body and the first to be powered by a V4 engine. The absence of a separate chassis meant the driver could sit lower, enabling a low aerodynamic body line to be achieved, while Lancia’s patented sliding-pillar independent front suspension endowed the Lambda with ride and handling qualities unmatched by anything in its class. The engine, an overhead-camshaft unit of 2,120cc, was progressively enlarged, arriving at its final 2,570cc, 68bhp configuration in 1928.

Originally registered ‘GH 1137’ in the UK, this well-known short-chassis Lambda is one of the sought-after 2,570cc-engined 8th Series, which was offered with an alternative separate chassis thus enabling independent coachbuilders to meet the demand for bespoke creations. Right-hand drive, like all Lancias into the 1950s, the car was originally fitted with a Weymann fabric saloon body and owned by a Commander Gage in 1946, and possibly even from new. In the austere period after WW2 when cars were expensive and steel was in short supply, re-bodying a pre-war car was quite common, and at around this time the Lambda was fitted with its unique aluminium coupé body, which is by the Northampton firm of Airflow Streamline, thus combining modern comforts with its excellent mechanicals. The car was laid up in the 1960s and sold by Dan Margulies in 1976, an engineer carrying out extensive renovation. Latterly an aluminium-alloy cylinder head, supplied by the respected Gerald Butt, has been fitted.

Chassis number ‘20354’ was purchased by the vendor at Bonhams’ Olympia Sale on 2nd December 2002 (Lot 1101). At that time the car had recently been re-sprayed and re-upholstered in grey leather while benefiting from the attention of marque expert Peter Gerrish, who had rebuilt the front suspension with correct springs, fitted a new starter motor and rewired the electrics. Since acquisition, the Lambda has taken part in the Valli e Nebbie, Ferrara and Grand Prix Marconi, Bologna in 2002; Raduno Lambda, Modena and Esposizione Padova in 2003; Grand Prix della Perugina, Perugia and Grand Prix Nuvolari, Mantova in 2004; and Valli e Nebbie and the Mille Miglia in 2005. All of the foregoing events were completed successfully and the car has featured in numerous magazines and other publications.

The engine has since been completely overhauled, all updating and maintenance work, including total refurbishment of the water pump and radiator, having been carried out in Italy. The car is now in perfect working order and described as a very enjoyable drive, fast, light and possessing incredible roadholding. It is offered with Austrian registration papers and FIVA passport with ‘A3’ classification as a car retaining many original parts.

Estimate: CHF80,000 - 130,000

Text & Photos: Bonhams