Description
Launched at the Geneva Motorshow in 1963, Lancia’s all-new Fulvia was built to replace the ageing Appia range. Whilst you might be forgiven for thinking that the Fulvia is just a coupé, the first cars were actually saloons.
The Fulvia Berlina utilised a longitudinally mounted V4 engine, independent front suspension and four-wheel disc brakes to create what Road & Track magazine called an “Engineering tour de force”, quite the French phrase for a very Italian motorcar.
Fulvia production ran in one form or another for around 13 years, and the Fulvia platform itself would develop throughout production, gaining a Coupe body style in 1965. Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, the Fulvia range would see extensive motorsport success.
This particular Fulvia is a 1972 Berlina Series II, supplied new in October of 1972 by Saicar, Milan it was purchased by a Mechanic who worked for the Dealership, and throughout the next nearly five decades, it would be loved, maintained and cared for by its original owner covering on average just over 700km a year. In November 2021, it was imported into the UK with just 35, 675km on the odometer.
Externally the Fulvia is in excellent condition, the paintwork is deep and glossy with very few marks, the exterior condition is in part so good thanks to a full detailing treatment with Ceramic Pro not long after being imported to the UK. The brightwork, bumpers, trims and lights are all correct and present. One of the few modifications made throughout the car’s life is the advent of some slightly wider wheels wrapped in a matching set of Michelin tyres.
The interior is also in pristine original condition, light grey armchair-esque bucket seats adorn a minimalist but incredibly tasteful cabin. The dashboard, a two-tone affair with grey and black as the main theme proudly presents its Fulvia typography. The Veglia Borletti clocks show the Fulvia has covered just over 45, 000km from new.
In the engine bay sits the aforementioned V4 Engine, in this slightly later Series II it is a 1298cc unit, producing 87bhp and revving to 6, 000rpm! It’s mated to a 5-speed gearbox, the whole package runs sweetly and drives incredibly well, as you’d expect from a car maintained to such a standard.
Since being imported into the UK, the car has been consistently maintained by Omicron Classico, a classic Lancia specialist. The only major change is a replacement exhaust system, the rest of the work, is purely maintenance including tuning and balancing the carburettors and a replacement fuel pump.
Italian cars are often described as being somewhat style over substance, but in this case, it just isn’t true. The perfect combination of beautiful styling and a wondrously rev-hungry little V4 engine mated to a slick 5-speed gearbox make for one of the most enjoyable classic car driving experiences.
Winner of the overall Fulvia and Fulvia Sedan Concours category at the 2023 LMC National Rally, this Fulvia not only comes with an incredible history of being owned by one owner for such a long period, but it has also had its originality acknowledged at the highest of Lancia stages. There is arguably, no better example available of what is fast becoming an icon of the Italian automotive industry.
As with all our vehicles, a full digital folder is available on request containing more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.
