To Flavia or not to Flavia that si my question

[Richard W]

I have the opportunity to purchace 2 Flavia coupes ( mid 60's) requiring restoration. The idea to make one good car from them both - or two good cars if they are savable. Regarding spares availability in the UK. Are items difficult to get hold of or very expencive? Is it worth the effort at the end of it, or am I looking over the edge of a very large money pit.

Any advice, experinces appreciated


Richard

[Bert Ewalds]

Richard,

Omicron, see advertisement on the web site can probably supply everything you need
They won't get horribly rich on it, but you will get horribly poor
Spares for the flavia's are not exactly cheap, especially the brake system
Body parts are very hard to come by as is all brightwork
If you have restored cars before you know what your up to with a car that only was produced 20,000 times
If you have not retored cars before go look for something else (Fulvia Coupe if it has to be a Lancia)

Bert

[Marcus Austin]

I'm no expert...but I recently bought a 2000 Coupe HF, albeit not to restore (much).

It all depends on whether you want the car(s) for the pleasure of them, or to sell on and make money, doesn't it? The latter is unlikely these days, really. But anyway, aren't all cars a money pit, older ones especially? From my meagre experience, I find you can get most of the "service items", but some body panels, lamps etc may be more difficult to find. Obviously the scarcer items will not be offered cheaply by specialists. You should go into this with your eyes open and accept that it will probably cost you. But, if you can't afford it, why take on the burden? There's probably someone else out there who can and will want to...

Marcus

[Dave Gee]

You have had two very negative replies - allow me to at least put the posititive side. Hope you got the cars. I too saw them but was out of the country without internet access at the death. I have just restored a Flavia Vignale (very similar, same running gear and engine as those you have just bought.) I am about to embark on an identical car.

First of all. They are super cars. I am working with the experience of engineering training and have rebuilt all sorts of cars from scratch. However, this is not one of the most difficult to restore.
Secondly, if you live anywhere near the Midlands, I could come and see you and your beauties.

The third point is that spares are available from the Flavia (and 2000)Consortium, whose website is unfortunately down at present. This is the cheapest source I have found so far, and good for information.
Lastly, I have all sorts of odds and ends, Lancia in origin, though mainly for the Flaminia. However, I may be able to help you out with odd bits and pieces.

Do email me if I can be of any help, or you just need a chat!

Best wishes, and good luck if you decide to take on the project.

Dave Gee

[Peter]

Dave,

I too am restoring a Flavia Vignale (albeit very slowly) and would love to hear your experiences. If you feel inclined, please drop me a line at yvette@yoffer.freeserve.co.uk. I also have quite a sizable amount of Vignale spares.

Best Regards Peter

[John]

Do it! Flavias are great. I have a 2000HF coupe and a Vignale convertible. The Flavia/2000 consortium is excellent for parts, as is Omicron.

Does anyone have a radio blanking plate for a Vignale?

[Florent]

Hello,

John is right, Flavias are great cars and the PF Coupé is so comfortable and smooth. The mechanical parts are no so difficult to find (except some injection engines spécific parts), but not cheap.
The final cost will depend on what you are able to do by your own, but the car is worth the money you will spend.
I have a PF Coupé and a Vignale convertible and it is always a pleasure to drive this cars, especially on long trips.

Let us know your final decision.....

Florent

[Simon]

Dave,

Just thought I would reply to you, as area co-ordinator for the LMC in the Bristol area. I have been contacted by someone who lives very near me with a 1964 Flavia Vignale convertible? (complete with hard top) which he has had for the past 15 - 20 years in his garage and does not know wether to restore or sell (he is into Jaguars). Can I put him in touch for information on restoration, he say that it was put into his garage when he inhertited it. The car had had money spent on the engine but had failed the MOT due to rot in the sills. Although rather dirty the rot doesnot appear to have spread and the engine turns over by hand.

Is it possible you could send me your email address so he could possible discuss his actions.

[Mike Whitfield]

Hi Richard

Given some of the advice you got from your question, did you actually purchase the cars you had in mind?
If not, would you be interested in mine ? It is the one near Bristol referred to in the reply from Simon.

If interested, contact Simon or me direct at: mwhitfield@campfarm.freeserve.co.uk

Mike.

[Eben Rootman]

I have had nothing but joy from '63 1.8 Coupe, one of 247 assembled in right hand drive in South Africa. I'ts done about 12 000 miles under my ownership- with only minor hicups largely due to standing for fairly long times between drives. It once stood for 6 months, but you drop in a new battery, let the petrol pump run for a minute and voila!! She starts first turn! Brake problems are surmountable and luckily the iron worm has not yet started munching on my sills or mounting points(what a lucky man I Am!!!) Only problem could be resale, but I think she will be recognized as a true classic very soon. How much longer can people ignore her grace, speed, style and gorgeous Pininfarina lines?

I'm so excited now I think I'll start her quickly just to listen to her flat four purr!!

Regards

Eben Rootman

Polokwane, Limpopo Province, South Africa