Familiar Lancia details I liked on the Flavia:
- plunger on the brake reservoir
- thermostatic shutters on the radiator
- same fuel filler cap as the Aurelia (and am sure so many others)
- Aurelia style valve gear (not sure its a good thing, but familiar)
Very "Lancia" touches:
- flush fitting boot plunger
- lever to limit steering lock with snow chains
- metal fuel filler pipe with a big bronze nut to the tank
Favourites shared with the S1 Fulvia
- big wood rim wheel
- horn and light flasher centre push
- "clock pendulum" gear lever with the tight "left-right" and long "up-down" movement
To what extent do others think their De Carbon dampers are THE key to the handling? I also like the idea that the leaf springs give a rising rate for all it requires old world skills to reset and to build up.
http://www.viva-lancia.com/specials/de-carbon/de-carbon.htmAdvantages over an Aurelia (the flip side is its the things that can grate/worry on an Aurelia...)
- synchro first gear
- improved visibility
- disk brakes (for all the Flavia booster is a scary item - I've bought the new one already)
- seat belts
- safer steering column
- direct gear change
- "grown up" handling over the perhaps a little too easy over-steer of the Aurelia, at least with an SIII
- better ventilation
- washers, two speed wipers, heated rear screen (mods I made to my Aurelia)
What I'd give the Aurelia is a great sense of security inside that enveloping seam welded shell. The SOLID Aurelia brake peddle is also a great feature, up to the point they fade to near nothing... Its a cosy place, but a b*gger to park and tricky in traffic, even with a pair of door mirrors. The Aurelia also has a fabulous exhaust note, and its a lovely comforting burble at tickover "like t a mountain stream" as much as when its wound up.
I like, perhaps "admire" is a better word, the layout of both. The Aurelia transaxle and inboard brakes for low unsprung weight and high polar moment. The Flamina flat four for such a low centre of gravity and "weight in the head of the arrow".
Both seat five, both have a huge boot. An SIII B20 and Flavia Sport have a very similar top speed, the Flavia getting there on aerodynamics and less power.
David