1973' Lancia Fulvia
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£16,750Published 27 February 2022ID: m9nqXR
Expired
2 years, 9 months ago
Information from the owner
Body: Coupe
Age: 49 years
Exterior color: Blue
Seller's comments about 1973' Lancia Fulvia
Currently offered for sale in northern England is our super-original, unmodified & unrestored (1973) Lancia Series II Fulvia 1. 3 'S' coupe. A superb example we've owned & enjoyed for twenty-eight years by now.
Once a big seller in Britain, and most famous for winning the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally outright, Lancia's little Fulvia coupes mostly rusted away over here. Leaving the few, right-hand drive UK survivors much-prized for their high driver-enjoyment and quality engineering, amazing value for money; But often only surviving in Britain thanks to labour & parts-intensive restorations costing a lot. Practical realities not detracting from Lancia Fulvias being a regular choice by serious journalists for their favourite or most beautiful classic cars, with one sensible alternative to buying an expensive restoration they mention being to buy a right-hand drive Fulvia which hasn't been.
Especially like ours: a much-loved original example, complete with an amazing history file not only promising a great week's reading but also the invoices or record for everything ever done to it - from the car's original bill of sale and its 'Ziebart' rustproofing certificate, both dated 1973, through to the brand new set of four 'Barum' tyres we added last August.
Together the file provides a fascinating 'back-story' for this beautiful car, uncommon in other examples. Where the original branded delivery envelope from 'Lancia England' it came with in 1973 is present & un-torn: containing the genuine owners handbook for this very car, plus a spiral-bound European dealer atlas. Add its two original twin sets of keys (all locks still match, not to mention every serial number) or the original jack with complete toolkit present within correct pvc wallet, stored inside a covered spare-wheel that's never ever been used. Not to mention the correct rechargeable torch nestling in its original socket, deep inside the dash. (Though we doubt the torch still works...)
Probably more important than heritage, is simple condition. And this car's is really good - see photos. (surely one of the best, unmodified RHD examples available in the UK?) Save only a desirable 'Webasto' sunroof - to turn the enclosed Fulvia coupe from a hot tin-top into semi-convertible on warmer days - this car's specification, fittings & equipment remain just how it left the factory, as the brochures show. (There's one of those in the history file, to prove it).
Today, this Fulvia still drives, steers and stops beautifully: "A Mini-Cooper in an Armani suit" what others often call it. With a five-speed box and disc brakes all-round, the Fulvia with its rally pedigree enjoyed a surprisingly-advanced specification for its era. And a surprisingly quick car too - once that beautiful alloy-topped, narrow-angle, twin-cam V4 engine and its twin carbs get wound-up - with a lovely timbre to the exhaust. The Fulvia might be front-wheel-drive, but those clever Lancia engineers made it feel more like a rear-driver, once you hurl it into a bend. Like a Mk1 Escort in fact.
Apart from the clock, everything else works, and besides a Webasto sunroof or period electronic ignition, nothing else has changed. (No ghastly 'restomods' here...) The original vinyl interior is as lovely & correct as the day it was made because it's never been restored, while a period set of 3-point inertia reel belts hold you tight in the front & match the pair of statics we added in the back, when children were small.
Most important of all - this car, its bodywork, engine and running gear, have never been taken apart - though always conscientiously maintained. (A modest exterior-only respray in 1992 is recorded on file). Bearing its correct 'Agnano Blue' colour inside and out, the paintwork glows in mediterranean sunlight, despite thirty years' patina or the odd retouched chip; whilst underneath the car stands just as well protected. (When we got it in 1994, the Fulvia was obsessively Waxoyled inside & out - for the next two summers the sills left lines of rustproofing drips wherever we parked it).
However, what's certain is that by 2022 this forty-nine year-old and very original car stays lovely - helped no doubt also by the fact that during our ownership it's been stored in an air-chamber. So there it is - and to summarise - key features of our much-loved 1973 Fulvia 1. 3S, now offered for sale, include:
• In an original, unrestored but well-cared for condition & never dismantled nor resto'-modded - as an authentic Italian-built, UK market RHD example;
• Low mileage for the year & always been used, not mothballed. Hence drives beautifully, giving endless fun & a pleasure to take down the road. So lovely to look at & own;
• Coming complete with a unique back-story, authentic provenance & associated history; All of it thoroughly-archived with every receipt - right from when new.
As a bonus, it costs almost nothing to run. Registered as a historic vehicle with DVLA and hence UK road tax-exempt, we pay about £150 for annual classic insurance and it has no massive thirst for fuel.
However, unfortunately & very sadly after all these years, we realise the point has arrived when we should - very reluctantly - pass this lovely car onto its next custodian & guardian. Time for a lucky new 'Lancista' to appreciate and enjoy - just as we have, these 28 years gone-by.
We also believe anyone knowing these brilliant little sports cars will understand the difficulty in finding anything similar today, in such a good, complete, original & unmodified condition. And at £16750 ono, our special Fulvia may be viewed in East Yorkshire by appointment. (contact details head this advert.)