Lancia Fulvia - Anyone Ever Had The Pleasure?

[Rupertfinch 6]

In the last week I've come across a rather good looking Lancia Fulvia on gumtree. It looks rather appealing and although she's the later (2nd phase I think) 1976 car and only a 1.3s I think I could be smitten.

 

Anyone had any dealings with them? I know they'll rust, but are they good to drive or do they live in the halo effect of the HF?

 

Here's a linky by the way.

http://belfast.gumtree.com/belfast/32/61711932.html

[The Arch Bishop 0]

Who cares when it looks that good!

[omega 82]

looks nice

are they bonnet straps on the front?

[Guest tobys73]

great looking car can see why you are interested in it

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

It really needs a black bonnet, HF arches and a proper set of Cromodora wheels!

 

Buying one of these is often like an Alfa of similar vintage. They are made of poor metal and will have needed proper replacement panels as opposed to multiple patches. Parts are readily available for them as they share quite a bit with other similar vintage Fiats and Alfas.

 

Good residuals for classic rallying too (this looks like it may have done some with those spots on)

 

Personally I like the Fiat 124 more

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

Fulvia and the 124 are beautiful.

I had a mate with a Fulvia back in the early nineties only a 1.3 but beautifully balanced.

 

I've seen the works Fulvia's at a few historic events including the rally stage at goodwood.

 

EDIT: Go for it all the beautiful cars are a form of risk! -

I'm weighing up Alfa Romeo Guilia / Citroen DS / BMW2002.

Edited July 12, 2010 by Simes

[Rupertfinch 6]

Agree on the black bonnet idea and adding slightly wider arches, with a slightly more chrome grille. I'm planning on phoning the chap tomorrow, but as it's a good 2k under Practical Classics value I feel I may be disappointed. But dear Lord does it look good...

 

Trying to persuade my father that it would make a good joint purchase.

[Beastie 1]

Yes, they are good to drive. And by that I mean they are *good* to drive They aren't the quickest thing on the roads these days but they were considered pretty sprightly in their day and the best thing about them is the balance: Everything just feels engineered to work together - engine response, brakes, handling, driving position all feel in perfect harmony and very sweet. Eulogy over

[maturin23 10]

Hi Mark,

 

It's potential purchases like these that haunt you forever if you get cold feet and back out! At that price there isn't going to be a huge amount risked.

 

I've never driven one, but if that was up the road I'd buy it like a shot.

 

Do it - then post up your welding photos...

 

Ian

 

PS - I should finally be able to get something in the post to you...

[Rich705 3]

My dad has a fulvia 1.3S in yellow that's been restored, great little motor with loads of character.

It's sounds amazing through tunnels and handles well.

And it also has a dog leg box.

 

Seems a good price if it's as good as the pics look.

 

My advice, snap it up!

[feb 47]

Rich, any pics of your dad's Fulvia?

[Rich705 3]

TBH I havnt talked to him for about 6 years due to personal differences and him emigrating to Spain, and I've just searched online and it seems he's a member of www.lancisti.net but hasn't posted any pics of the car.

All I can tell you it's a proper minter though, and he's spent a pretty penny and alot of time on it.

It's a real eye catcher, especially in Ferrari yellow, and it always made me smile seeing pedestrians necks snapping when he took it near the limiter!

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

There is nothing quite like the charm of an Italian car. I loved my Alfa. An old Spider would suit me too. just don't get drawn down the Zagato Fulvia route as I think they are ugly, even if they are rarer

[Rupertfinch 6]

Going to see it on Saturday.

 

 

Trying to mentally prepare myself for disappointment so will spend the next few days looking at pictures of rusty Lancias. However, the owner answered all the questions very well, so this only fills me with further anticipation. He's had it for 12 years and is selling because it needs driven more! Either it's a bucket that he can't be arsed with or he's been there, done that and is moving on. I always think it rude to ask that particular question over the phone.

 

It could spell the end of 205 ownership though! I'm not yet ready to part with the Williams.

[Rupertfinch 6]

Very, very, very much fun. The 1.3 has such a snort and the owner really wasn't shy about giving it some beans. Such a noise, my father reckoned that it sounded like a twin cam escort as it returned from the test drive. Fully documented work with a massive number of receipts from omicron and tanc barrett. Parts are really rather expensive, but the car would come with another engine and gearbox and any other spares he's got lying about.

 

Structurally very sound, there are a few cosmetic bubbles but nothing to worry about (famous last words)...

 

Going to spend a weekend contemplating the car and perhaps weighing up if I could really sell the 205. Perhaps the Renault could get a new home instead?