Buying a Lancia Fulvia as my first classic
Discussion
Since a wee boy I always liked the Fulvia's and I keep seeing them up for sale and get tempted to buy one, this would be my first classic car having always owned modern cars. I've driven a few, either borrowed for a short run and I hired an Alfa 105 for a long weekend and loved it, even though the car was a bit of a sorry state.
So would I be mad? How can I avoid buying a rust bucket? I'm relatively mechanically minded but a lot more comfortable with modern vehicle electronics than I am with fixing rust and tuning carbs, but up for learning. To be honest though I planned to account cost of having a specialist do it.
I'd welcome peoples experience of buying a Fulvia, what they learnt and what do look out for.
So would I be mad? How can I avoid buying a rust bucket? I'm relatively mechanically minded but a lot more comfortable with modern vehicle electronics than I am with fixing rust and tuning carbs, but up for learning. To be honest though I planned to account cost of having a specialist do it.
I'd welcome peoples experience of buying a Fulvia, what they learnt and what do look out for.
Excellent plan.
Bought ours 28 years ago. Whatever else has come and gone; still got it, too - so 'nuff said.
Have always described our Series II 1.3S as being "like a Mini-Cooper in an Armani suit."
Brilliant rally-cars in their day (as 1600s) they are FWD in fact, but behave like they're RWD - which is only part of what's so entrancing - as well as their looks. Clean-cut & sharp; while the engine itself is a durable, revvy marvel, as a triumph of Italian metal casting fit to grace any art gallery.
In summary: wonderful cars - but the 1300s are spectacularly underpriced*, even to this day, but almost as good to drive as a 1600, whilst the 'Monte Carlo' versions are just an ordinary 1300 with decals, a black bonnet, and bigger alloys so don't deserve their premium. *And that's underpriced even in good condition, too; partly because there always seem to be quite a few available, lingering in the adverts. Still better bought privately, since all dealers will add their hefty surcharge, but their LHD imports may sometimes prove less rusty (although not always!) whilst no problem in practice to drive.
These cars will either be rusty or not - so only buy that non-rusty one! Avoid anything smeared in filler. Ours was 'Ziebarted' from new then heavily waxoyled on purchase, all those years ago, which has served to keep it right.
It's the bottom 2cm of the entire car which is so crucial; especially the rear mountings for the engine subframe: located just ahead of the A-pillar, behind the front wheel arch, ahead of the door. Hence more crucial than anywhere else. If there's any problem here, a curious crack will appear right at top-centre of the front wheel arch, due to the strain caused by failure of said mounting.
On sight of which, you should of course walk away.
But watch out for that, and the sills, and you'll find they're wonderful. Go for it!
Bought ours 28 years ago. Whatever else has come and gone; still got it, too - so 'nuff said.
Have always described our Series II 1.3S as being "like a Mini-Cooper in an Armani suit."
Brilliant rally-cars in their day (as 1600s) they are FWD in fact, but behave like they're RWD - which is only part of what's so entrancing - as well as their looks. Clean-cut & sharp; while the engine itself is a durable, revvy marvel, as a triumph of Italian metal casting fit to grace any art gallery.
In summary: wonderful cars - but the 1300s are spectacularly underpriced*, even to this day, but almost as good to drive as a 1600, whilst the 'Monte Carlo' versions are just an ordinary 1300 with decals, a black bonnet, and bigger alloys so don't deserve their premium. *And that's underpriced even in good condition, too; partly because there always seem to be quite a few available, lingering in the adverts. Still better bought privately, since all dealers will add their hefty surcharge, but their LHD imports may sometimes prove less rusty (although not always!) whilst no problem in practice to drive.
These cars will either be rusty or not - so only buy that non-rusty one! Avoid anything smeared in filler. Ours was 'Ziebarted' from new then heavily waxoyled on purchase, all those years ago, which has served to keep it right.
It's the bottom 2cm of the entire car which is so crucial; especially the rear mountings for the engine subframe: located just ahead of the A-pillar, behind the front wheel arch, ahead of the door. Hence more crucial than anywhere else. If there's any problem here, a curious crack will appear right at top-centre of the front wheel arch, due to the strain caused by failure of said mounting.
On sight of which, you should of course walk away.
But watch out for that, and the sills, and you'll find they're wonderful. Go for it!
Know nothing about the quality, but there’s one coming up on collecting cars, fyi.
https://youtu.be/yJNEGAwG1xw
https://youtu.be/yJNEGAwG1xw
footsoldier said:
Know nothing about the quality, but there’s one coming up on collecting cars, fyi.
https://youtu.be/yJNEGAwG1xw
Yeah I saw that one, it does look great but I suspect been a Rallye and featured on Collecting Cars mean it'll go for strong money. I just want a standard 1300 to bimble around the Cotswolds in. https://youtu.be/yJNEGAwG1xw
I'd love one of these I think they sound amazing and they have a good bit of rallying heritage.
Here is a 1.6 HF Fanalone being taken for a spirited drive along some B roads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNLF-CesFV8
Here is a 1.6 HF Fanalone being taken for a spirited drive along some B roads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNLF-CesFV8
I have owned many Fulvias over many years,now I have a 1600hf. Of all the 1300's my favourite is the series 1 ,1.3s,only made in 1969. Aluminium bonnet boot and doors, oil cooler, brake servo and 5bhp more than 1.3. It has the 4 speed gearbox,don't be put off, it's by far a nicer gearbox than the 5 speed,opinions do vary, try both if you can. Don't be put off by lhd, rust is the biggest worry,especially front subframe mounts and cills. Buy a good one and enjoy,I am of course biased!
Had a 1300 back in the late 1980's
Paid about £190, repainted it red in plant enamel, thrashed it mercilessly for 6 months, burnt out a valve, replaced it and sold the car for around £250
It was an absolute hoot to drive even with the rear balance thing disconnected. THey are a work of art, both mechanically and bodily.
Very tempted to buy another if I can sell my TVR 350i but watching the prices rise fast. Many for sale at the moment are either imported from South Africa - RHD, often little rust but sometimes as bad as UK cars, and body & mechanical bodges. LHD cars from Italy abound but apparently the good ones have already arrived and the Italian barrel is getting scraped.
Paid about £190, repainted it red in plant enamel, thrashed it mercilessly for 6 months, burnt out a valve, replaced it and sold the car for around £250
It was an absolute hoot to drive even with the rear balance thing disconnected. THey are a work of art, both mechanically and bodily.
Very tempted to buy another if I can sell my TVR 350i but watching the prices rise fast. Many for sale at the moment are either imported from South Africa - RHD, often little rust but sometimes as bad as UK cars, and body & mechanical bodges. LHD cars from Italy abound but apparently the good ones have already arrived and the Italian barrel is getting scraped.
CostaBrava1972 said:
Excellent plan.
Bought ours 28 years ago. Whatever else has come and gone; still got it, too - so 'nuff said.
Have always described our Series II 1.3S as being "like a Mini-Cooper in an Armani suit."
Brilliant rally-cars in their day (as 1600s) they are FWD in fact, but behave like they're RWD - which is only part of what's so entrancing - as well as their looks. Clean-cut & sharp; while the engine itself is a durable, revvy marvel, as a triumph of Italian metal casting fit to grace any art gallery.
In summary: wonderful cars - but the 1300s are spectacularly underpriced*, even to this day, but almost as good to drive as a 1600, whilst the 'Monte Carlo' versions are just an ordinary 1300 with decals, a black bonnet, and bigger alloys so don't deserve their premium. *And that's underpriced even in good condition, too; partly because there always seem to be quite a few available, lingering in the adverts. Still better bought privately, since all dealers will add their hefty surcharge, but their LHD imports may sometimes prove less rusty (although not always!) whilst no problem in practice to drive.
These cars will either be rusty or not - so only buy that non-rusty one! Avoid anything smeared in filler. Ours was 'Ziebarted' from new then heavily waxoyled on purchase, all those years ago, which has served to keep it right.
It's the bottom 2cm of the entire car which is so crucial; especially the rear mountings for the engine subframe: located just ahead of the A-pillar, behind the front wheel arch, ahead of the door. Hence more crucial than anywhere else. If there's any problem here, a curious crack will appear right at top-centre of the front wheel arch, due to the strain caused by failure of said mounting.
On sight of which, you should of course walk away.
But watch out for that, and the sills, and you'll find they're wonderful. Go for it!
Some very good advice here. I agree the most important point is the subframe boxes at the back, which if rotten is a big job to replace. Ditto the back legs of the subframe. As mentioned if there are cracks in the wheelarches at the front (on the top, inside or out) then find another.Bought ours 28 years ago. Whatever else has come and gone; still got it, too - so 'nuff said.
Have always described our Series II 1.3S as being "like a Mini-Cooper in an Armani suit."
Brilliant rally-cars in their day (as 1600s) they are FWD in fact, but behave like they're RWD - which is only part of what's so entrancing - as well as their looks. Clean-cut & sharp; while the engine itself is a durable, revvy marvel, as a triumph of Italian metal casting fit to grace any art gallery.
In summary: wonderful cars - but the 1300s are spectacularly underpriced*, even to this day, but almost as good to drive as a 1600, whilst the 'Monte Carlo' versions are just an ordinary 1300 with decals, a black bonnet, and bigger alloys so don't deserve their premium. *And that's underpriced even in good condition, too; partly because there always seem to be quite a few available, lingering in the adverts. Still better bought privately, since all dealers will add their hefty surcharge, but their LHD imports may sometimes prove less rusty (although not always!) whilst no problem in practice to drive.
These cars will either be rusty or not - so only buy that non-rusty one! Avoid anything smeared in filler. Ours was 'Ziebarted' from new then heavily waxoyled on purchase, all those years ago, which has served to keep it right.
It's the bottom 2cm of the entire car which is so crucial; especially the rear mountings for the engine subframe: located just ahead of the A-pillar, behind the front wheel arch, ahead of the door. Hence more crucial than anywhere else. If there's any problem here, a curious crack will appear right at top-centre of the front wheel arch, due to the strain caused by failure of said mounting.
On sight of which, you should of course walk away.
But watch out for that, and the sills, and you'll find they're wonderful. Go for it!
It really is a fabulous little car. I had at least one from my late teens for 15 plus years. I was thinking recently about them, and wondered if they were now too old to appeal, but a friend bought one recently and I tried it, and really liked it - I'd happily have another if i had space. Out of probably 50 cars that i've owned, it is the car that I've had the most fun in, and some of the mechanical bits are really beautifully made and a pleasure to work on.
They also handle really nicely, quite adjustable with lift-off oversteer which can be quelled with throttle. I used to race one and in the wet it was ace.
I'd suggest joining the Lancia Motor Club as there is a wealth of knowledge there, and on their forum.
Happy hunting!
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