Fantasy Junction

Description

1971 Lancia Fulvia HF Lusso 1.6
s/n 818740004478
Red with Black Leather

Famous for their incredible craftsmanship, innovative engineering solutions and disregard for cost accounting with respect to those engineering solutions, pre-Fiat Lancias are, in many ways, in a class of their own. Few cars are as thoughtfully engineered or built, which helps to explain why Lancia encountered a great deal of financial troubles. Among the last of the pre-FIAT cars, the Fulvia was a small car with an interesting specification that included a dual overhead cam narrow angle common cylinder head V4 which powered the front wheels. Dunlop disc brakes on all four corners provided stopping power, and the car bristled with innovation and interesting technical features. Road and Track magazine described the car in 1967 as “a precision motorcar, an engineering tour de force” and the car was surprisingly quick for its displacement, and proved to be an effective competition car in for both rally and circuit racing. The cars were available in a variety of body styles including the attractive coupe bodywork, which provided excellent visibility, balance, and a surprising amount of space for larger drivers.

Throughout the production of the Fulvia, the HF variant was the most desirable and highest-performing specification. The competition variant of the car, the HF proved to be extremely successful in rally events, and offered a higher state of tune from the engine, lightweight specification, and usually upgraded suspension and driveline components. When the Fulvia was updated in 1969, the HF trim received a 1.6 liter engine to replace the 1.3, as well as integrated flared wheel arches. A 5-speed transmission appeared around the same time. A Lusso variant brought a more complete trim level that included bucket seats, a radio, bumpers and added trim

This particular car spent most of its life in Italy and was imported to the United States relatively recently by a collector who saw the HF that belonged to his mechanic and had to have one for himself. He then sold it to another collector, who has an affinity for interesting cars ranging all the way from Lancias and Alfas to more costly Ferraris, 300SLs, and the like. In his care, the car has been maintained by the same mechanic, who has a Fulvia HF of his own, and looks after other Fulvia HFs in addition to this car. He performed a variety of maintenance tasks, including the fitment of new front and rear brakes lines, new suspension bushings, ball joints, tie rods, drag link, and various electrical fixes, and other minor repairs. The work totaled just under $3000 and was performed in 2013.

The car makes a strong cosmetic impression with nice paintwork and a very straight and solid body. The paintwork is very good quality with minor surface blemishes and a small area of bubbling on the left C-pillar adjacent to the rear window seal. The car appears to be free of corrosion otherwise, both above and below. The chrome and other brightwork are in very nice shape, and the Cromodora alloy wheels are similar condition. The glazing is in good condition, with light wiper marks and some clouding at the base of the rear window. The headlamps are Carellos and the car is equipped with very purposeful Marchal driving lamps.

The interior is in very good condition with nice upholstery and correct rubber floor mats in excellent shape. The dashboard wood is highly polished and in very good shape and the car is equipped with a very cool Grundig radio. The switches, controls, and instruments are in very good shape, as are the door panels. There are some holes in the headliner as well as some hairline cracks in the shift knob.

The engine compartment is good shape, showing signs of recent maintenance. The structure is in good shape and the engine is fundamentally correct in appearance, though certain details are incorrect such as the performance spark plug wires. The trunk is fully carpeted, including the spare tire cover. The carpets are in nice shape throughout.

The car is a riot to drive. The engine is powerful and eager, with a wonderfully rorty exhaust note. The car is surprisingly rapid and the close gear ratios of the 5-speed dogleg box ensure that the engine is always ready to provide brisk acceleration. The synchromesh is excellent. The chassis is taut and responsive and the car has a chuckability and planted feel that is uncommon in a car of this vintage.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a genuine Fulvia HF, a very rare car in the United States. This example is an ideal driver. Not only is it a hugely entertaining and satisfying driver’s car, it is in ideal cosmetic condition to drive regularly, being neither too nice to use nor cosmetically needy. It has a great structure and represents great value when compared to Alfa Romeos of the same vein, which easily extend into six figures.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608