RE: PH Heroes: Lancia Fulvia

[Ipelm]

Lordy, this is a car that makes the world a better place to be in.

[robsco]

I honestly think I prefer these to the Alfa GTVs, which is quite a bold statement from an Alfista. There's just such a delicate but intense beauty in the design that takes the breath away, truly mesmerising.

[ou701]

I've been fortunate enough to own several in the past, including two Zagato - bodied examples and an HF. I love them still, but I wish someone made a modern equivalent. Sadly, that won't be Lancia, which is just as well now that every future Lancia will be badged Chrysler - will they never learn?

[RDMcG]

I had one many ,many years ago..i was young and I knew the HF was special, but it was a case of an old, cheap to buy , expensive to maintain car with rust and no money to keep it up....I sold it for a song, and I expect it ended on the scrap heap....one of the cars I most deeply regret not having now.

[Egg Chaser]

That is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

I think the first picture should be the POTW

[B'stard Child]

Great little car - A mate who lodged at mine for a couple of years had one - sort of long term rolling resto - great to drive and a lovely noise when given the beans

[Farmer]

cookie1600 said:

Great article and a smashing car - the automobile equivalent of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's!

spot on

[Club LanciaSport]

It's a great little car. I had a LHD Montecarlo in Orange and have just bought NBO 836P - the car that Jeremy Clarkson drove in the Top Gear episode of 2009. Folks:- if you're out and about this weekend, come to Race Retro Stoneleigh. They are doing a Lancia feature and we have a 6-car stand including said Fulvia. If you really are thinking of buying one (or a Delta) there are plenty of people there to give you the low down. It's a 1.3 and has about 100bhp, but with it's hugely advances front end suspension - you will turn heads how it handles even in 2011.

[paulwd]

I had a 1.3 back in the 70's , heater never worked properly, bottom of the doors rusted away and couldn't park it facing the prevailing wind in the winter or it wouldn't start. But I loved everything about it. Everytime I see one now I hope it is still on the road but I doubt it. Happy days.

[aeropilot]

norwichphoto said:

Front wheel drive, which can be flung about with no hint of torque steer. An exercise on how to do front wheel drive brilliantly well.

Agreed.
And one of these would be among only 3 fwd cars in my dream lottery win collection.......along with a 1275 Cooper S and Saab 900T16S.

[louismchuge]

aeropilot said:

norwichphoto said:

Front wheel drive, which can be flung about with no hint of torque steer. An exercise on how to do front wheel drive brilliantly well.

Agreed.
And one of these would be among only 3 fwd cars in my dream lottery win collection.......along with a 1275 Cooper S and Saab 900T16S.

Wouldn't the lack of torque steer be due to it's relative lack of torque?!

[Snoggledog]

Just remembered a story from when I used to be a little scrote in the Fulvia.

Dad had fitted a booster seat with a 4 point harness in the back for me behind him. The theory was that if mum needed to look after me she didn't have to turn round too much. As it was a small enough car, I used to lean forward, reach out and smack dad on the head shouting "Faster daddy, faster". My booster seat was quickly changed to the other side of the car.

[jake15919]

Very good looking car. I've never driven a 1.6 but I was stunned by the performance of a 1.3. Very nippy for a old small engine and great handling.

[urquattro]

Grifo said:

And here is the car

From an E type owner; this car is handsome and the colour and shape combination just perfect. Was anything really pretty looking made after late 1970s, I seem to doubt in now. However there were some very purposeful looking cars in 1980s. Just look at 2010/2011 versions and they are not as good as this.

[nc107]

My Fanalone blinking in the sunlight after 20 years in a garage in Venice. It was mine about 5 mins later

(ahhh....a fool and his money etc etc)

[Mermaid]

Great rally car, some success at the Safari Rally.

If I recall correctly, the short chassis often broke up in two.

[cornishgirl]

That is a very pretty little car with a very awful colour scheme.

[twizellb]

Grifo said:

And here is the car

Absolutely stunning

[shoestring7]

Pistachio said:

NIce wallpaper

Lovely. My first car was a mid-60's 1200cc left hooker in dark green. This was before the Fiat days of crap Russian steel, it was a lot more solid that plenty of younger stuff I saw in the early 80's.

SS7

[ariel]

I had a lovely red Fulvia, written off by some welsh tw@t pulling out across my path from a pub. I've still got the owner manual tucked away along with a Beta coupe manual too I believe.