1298cc V4
5 Speed Manual
Front Engined Front Wheel Drive
Hydraulic Discs
87bhp 84 Ft-Lb
Exterior Mendoza Blue Interior Red
The Lancia Fulvia premiered in 1963, and was available in three body styles over its production run: a 4 door berlina, a 2 door coupe, and the Zagato-built Sport coupe. In typical Lancia style, the Fulvia was named after a Roman road, running from Tortona to Turin. The engine is a narrow angle V4, mounted longitudinally in the engine compartment at a 45 degree angle to lower the hood line. Approximately the first 200 Fulvia Sports were built with all aluminum bodies, which later switched to steel bodies, initially with aluminum doors and hood, but later all steel was chosen to reduce cost. Although the Sport was generally the lightest and fastest, the Fulvia’s primary racing success was in rallying in which case the coupe dominated. The Fulvia outlasted Lancia’s independence and in 1969, the financially struggling Lancia was purchased by Fiat, at which point a number of changes were made to theFulvias in order to reduce costs and standardize some parts across the Fiat line. This Lancia Fulvia Sport is one of the early alloy bodied cars. In previous ownership, however, an attempt was made to “update” the car to the later spec at which point a 1.3 liter engine replaced the original 1.2 liter unit and a 5 speed gearbox was fitted, which required changes to the floorpan of the car
to accommodate the remote shifter of the 5 speed. Likely the same previous owner also fitted the later tail lights,that Zagato borrowed from a Peugeot, instead of the earlier ones which were in common with the NSU Prinz 4. He had also fitted later seats, with incorporated headrests, but as the foam was failing in the seats, I opted to restore the interior, changing the colour to red, and removed the headrests to bring the car back to a more original appearance inside, as well as installed an original wood rimmed steering wheel in place of the aftermarket one that had been fitted. In driving, the Lancia Fulvia does very well and it would be difficult to tell that you’re in a front wheel drive car as it is very neutral in its handling. The engine makes most of its power higher in the rev range, as is fairly common with most small Italian engines and in many ways this car fits the mould of the “Hot Hatch” that the VW Golf GTI established, years ahead of the GTI’s introduction. In my ownership, the main problem I’ve had with this car is with the seat reclining mechanism, which is prone to suddenly letting go and reclining if any force is put on it, which is a common problem for all Fulvias
