Fantasy Junction

Description

1972 Lancia Fulvia 1,3S Zagato
s/n 818.650.001329, engine no. 818*303*090167*
Dark Blue with Caramel Interior

In today’s market, the phrase “Italian sports car with Zagato coachwork, disc brakes, and twin cam engine” typically has six or seven figure price tag associated with it. Add to that a storied marque with a host of innovative technical features and the price climbs further still. However, the Fulvia Zagato remains a delightful exception and is one of our favorite cars at Fantasy Junction.

Lancia has long been highly regarded for their exceptional craftsmanship, innovative engineering, and cost-no-object attention to detail. Prior to Fiat’s involvement, Lancia built elegant, refined, performance cars with few rivals. Given this philosophy, combined with passionate leadership, Lancia frequently found themselves in financial trouble. Among the last of the pre-FIAT cars, the unibody front-drive Fulvia was designed as a small car using a dual overhead cam narrow angle common cylinder head V4. 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.\" The Fulvia was surprisingly quick for its displacement, and proved to be an effective competition car in both rally and circuit racing. The cars were available in a variety of body styles including the rare and special Zagato coupe bodywork, which provided excellent visibility, balance, and a surprising amount of space for larger drivers and their chattel.

This particular car is an early Series 2 Fulvia Sport 1.3S Zagato. Coachwork on this car was not only designed but also built by Zagato, and then fitted to the Lancia platform. The Series 1 bodies featured side hinging hoods and rear drop-down spare tire compartments. During the transition from Series 1 to Series 2 cars, the first 600 of the 2600 Series 2 cars were built utilizing Series 1 bodies, including this one. During this period, the 1.3S was considered the top of the line. Imported to the US from Italy in 2004, this car has resided primarily in the western states, including California since 2011, where it belonged to a well-known Northern California Lancia enthusiast who used it enjoyably as part of his sports car collection of Ferraris and other Lancias. The car’s last owner, also in Northern California, purchased the car approximately 4 years ago. During his ownership, the front ball joints and tie rod ends were redone, the generator was rebuilt, and a new fuel pump was installed. The car was used regularly with trips to the Monterey Historics in 2016, local Sacramento area European car tours, and casual enjoyment.

Today, the car presents as an attractive driver, with glossy paint and straight, although close inspection reveals some bubbling at the bottom of the right front fender. The paint displays some chips, scratches, and various other imperfections in the paint, but the overall presentation is very attractive. The chrome and various trim are all in good to very good condition, particularly the exceptionally hard to find grille and chrome plated headlight bezels. The lenses, glass, and delicate Fulvia Sport script on the hood announce both the Italian heritage and design excellence, while Zagato badges flank both front fenders. The desirable 5.5” Cromodora wheels are in excellent shape, and add a very nice period correct performance stance to the car, which has just the right amount of rake.

The color-contrasting interior is excellent overall, sporting a very nice black and wood dashboard and properly fitted upholstery. The low profile bucket seats are excellent with nice bolsters and support (though a small 1/8” hole is on the driver’s seat bottom bolster). The door panels and headliner are in very nice condition. The wood dash trim is clean and without significant cracks, properly housing the clock and rare radio delete plate with Fulvia script. The gauges and controls feature nice color and contrast, and excellent trim. The correct ribbed and fitted rubber floor mats are similarly nice as is the leather wrapped Lancia steering wheel. Lifting the rear hatch, the storage space area is nicely finished and properly trimmed. Further, the rear hatch can be electronically raised and lowered from a dash switch, allowing cabin ventilation, a quintessentially Lancia feature that is functional, clever, and unconventional.

The engine compartment is honest and tidy, with proper finishes, original components, and properly sorted hardware. The engine is a correct type 303 1.3 series engine, but a later serial number than is typically found to generally be associated with early S2 cars. The engine compartment appears largely original and generally attractive with correct presentation. The car retains correct Solex carburetors and original air cleaner housing, proper hoses and a correct type washer bag is also present. Also present with the car but uninstalled are clear headlight covers.

The car runs and drives well, starting easily and revving freely. The dogleg 5-speed gearbox has good synchromesh and moves smoothly through all gears. The chassis has a nice coherent and comfortable feel that is perfectly suited for mountain roads and spirited driving. The Fulvia is known for light and communicative steering, delivering precise and responsive results – certainly one of the top characteristics of this model.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a rare, technically interesting, and entertaining classic Lancia Fulvia Sport with unique Zagato coachwork that retains the neat attributes of the early body such as the side-opening hood. While these cars are fairly rare in the United States, they have robust US based parts and service availability and remain easily serviced for mechanically minded enthusiast. This example runs and drives great, is structurally sound, and cosmetically attractive, making it an ideal usable classic that represents excellent value and individual style; the perfect antidote to a less imaginative choice.

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