When I do an internet search for Italian cars from the 1960s, the results are dominated by the usual suspects, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo. It was an era during which the Italians ever built some of the world's most beautiful cars. A period of motoring beauty that has been unsurpassed since.

One Italian car manufacturer often forgotten during this time is Lancia. For the English speakers, it was pronounced LAHN/SEE/ah, but it was always LAHN/tchah for the Italians.

Flaminia, Flavia and Fulvia were names that graced the Lancia models of the 1960s. Cars were built as four-door saloons but always offered a coupe or cabriolet for the sports car driver. Unique models designed by Zagato and Pininfarina ensured that the vehicles remained sporty and individual for their time.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Lancia built successful rally cars, winning fifteen World Rally Championship titles with the Stratos, 037 and Delta Integrale.

Today, Lancia is a shell of its former self. Now owned by the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, it only sells a single model, the Lancia Ypsilon, a small car primarily sold in the Italian market. It is sad to see the demise of such a great Italian carmaker and an era of unique car design we are unlikely to see again.