While the turbulent 1963, full of hope and hate, writes history, the sun is shining in Italy with the creation of the Lamborghini brand and the start of production of Lancia's most famous car ever. Designer Piero Castagnero delivers a masterpiece with his design that the brand would never surpass. But not only the design of its coupe is responsible for its international fame. The formula with the well-known V4 technology, but with front-wheel drive for the first time of the Italian beauty, weighing only 925 kilos, appears to be a resounding success in rallying. The Lancia Fulvia Coupé was born and will forever become Icon for the Italian brand.
Won everything
The Lancia Fulvia will remain in production for 15 years. In those years he made some leaps forward. Particularly subcutaneously, but also externally, some changes can be observed. It leads to a Lancia Fulvia Series I, a particularly stronger Series II and a Series III. From 1965 to 1973, Lancia wins the Italian Rally Championship every year (!) In 1972, for the brand, Simo Lampinen appears on the starting line of the International Championship for Manufactures with the Fulvia 1.6 HF. He wins by no less than two rounds ahead of the competition. An unprecedented victory that will never be surpassed.
Italian scream
This Lancia Fulvia Coupé is from the last production year 1976 and is therefore one of the very last newly delivered Fulvias. It concerns the further developed and slightly facelifted Series III of the beautiful coupé. Made in the very beautiful and rare Blu Mendoza. Not light blue, not dark blue… Mendoza. The chrome work is beautiful with this color, just like the Pelle Caramellata (caramel leather). The car has such a nice Nardi steering wheel that makes you feel like cornering even without the engine running. Preferably like a devil uphill along Lake Garda.
In the wooden dashboard I even find the original radio that you should never turn on. That creates noise… in all respects. For the better sound, only a short turn on the steel key is needed. Accelerate and a typical Italian scream leaves the exhaust. The Fulvia is equipped with a powerful 1298 cc engine with 67 kW (90 hp) and a fine-shifting five-speed gearbox, which leads to great performance. The orange needle on the white dials proudly jumps up when I alternate between clutch and gas in rapid succession. The top speed of this lightweight coupe is about 165 km/h.
The first and only owner of the car until 2018 bought it new in Zurich, Switzerland where he lived. When he moved to Italy, he took his car with him and had it registered there in 1979. Vincenzo Carella (1944) owned and cherished the Fulvia until 2018. Now this unique Fulvia was sold for the first time after 65.535 km and more than 42 years.
We were a dealer from 1966 to 1985 n Nijmegen sold nice numbers, left one, traded it in again in 1981 and never got rid of it, it is still completely original, never restored. Color beige Mirabello and drive it regularly. Always a lot of attention Gr. Steve Hartogs
Hi Stef, if you want I can send you a test of the Lancia
I have an 'auto motor und sport' magazine from April 1967 and it is being tested in it. I took photos with Fotoscan so I can send the test via email or wattsapp. 0637192876
Gr. Rob.
Poor Lancia…. You can already see it in the rear lights…. Prey to Agnelli, swallowed up by Fiat, Chrysler puked it up again, succumbing to fame. Fortunately, the heritage and enthusiast still maintain the memory 😪
Supercars, which (still) drive better than one Alfa.
And certainly better than all those Germans that were twice as expensive….and rusted just as bad….ittt their annoying marketing.
Unfortunately, in the top 10……jappies and koreans
They always do it without any problems. 8 years in my MX5, 1 broken headlight and 1 broken interior light. Have to sand the headlights once, nothing special.
But this is the most beautiful coupe with the GTV.