Production of the Flaminia saloon began in 1957 and the car quickly established itself as one of the most luxurious and refined of the period. Its career began in 1957, but production of the 2.8 – built until 1970 – began in 1963. Comfortable and beautifully finished, many special versions were made, including the Zagato coupé. Among the special, non-series models, the most famous is the long-wheel- base ‘cabriolet-landaulet’ version that Pininfarina created, with only four units built, for the Presidency of the Italian Republic between 1960 and 1961. The mechanics were the same as those of the Flaminia saloon 2500, with the exception of the gearbox and axle ratios, which were reduced to allow a parade speed.