Lancia Fulvia Series 1 1600 HF “Fanalone”

An exceptionally rare Lancia Fulvia Series 1 1600 HF.

One of the most coveted homologation specials of the golden era of rallying. Built to satisfy Group 4 regulations, the “Fanalone” (a nickname meaning “big headlights” in Italian) is the ultimate evolution of the Fulvia coupé with aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid, ‘hot’ engine and dog leg 5 speed gearbox. It is the machine that set the stage for Lancia’s storied domination of world rallying.

Since purchase by the current owner in 2018 it has had extensive cosmetic and mechanical refreshment and has been looked after by Bell Sport & Classic in recent years including a full engine rebuild in 2019 and is in impeccable condition.

Jamaica Blue with Black leather interior.

- Facetti Brothers engine producing 155 bhp

- Asso forged pistons

- Dell'Orto 45 DHLA carburettors with open trumpets

- Rare large sand cast type sump

- Correct Fanalone type 5-speed gearbox

- 540 type wishbones

- Fanalone 13 x 6 wheels

- Glass rear and side screens (original Perspex retained)

Chassis number 001597 was produced in 1970 – a left-hand drive, Jamaica Blue Lancia Fulvia Series 1 1600 HF.

Originally sold new into Sicily where it remained for over a decade. The second owner, a Dr. Mario Orlando registered it in Palermo with only 8000 km on the clock and used it for a variety of competition activities including the famous Targa Florio.

The third owner details have not been recorded but the 4th owner, a lawyer named Carlo Catalano restored the car in 1986. When he sold the car it crossed the Atlantic and ended up in America and where it was bought at auction by Mr. Peter Livanos.

Bringing the car to the UK it was taken to Norfolk based Lancia specialists Omicron Engineering for a range of works before eventually selling the car to their owner Mr. Martin Cliffe in 1995.

The engine fitted to 001597 is by the Facetti Brothers and has special cams (currently fitted with standard cam for road use) Asso forged pistons and Dell'Orto 45 DHLA carburettors with open trumpets. The sump is the rare, large sand cast type.

Tested on a rolling road the car recorded 155 BHP at 6500 RPM. Peak torque was 127 lb.ft at 6000 RPM.

The gearbox is the correct 5-speed Fanalone one which is really a 4-speed gearbox with a piggy back arrangement to get an extra set of gears in. This means doing without synchro mesh on first gear, which is normal and not an issue problem as long as you know it should be like that!

Other mechanical points of note are that the wishbones are the correct 540 type that give negative camber and the wheels are the correct Fanalone ones of 13 x 6. Early ones of these are known to crack but this car has the later, stronger ones.

During this period the car was fitted with a glass rear screen and rear side windows. The Perspex parts have been retained with the car.