The introduction of the Fulvia saloon in 1963 maintained Lancia’s reputation for innovation in automobile design. The boxily-styled Appia replacement featured an all-new, narrow-angle, V4, overhead-camshaft engine as well as front wheel drive, independent front suspension by double wishbones, and disc brakes all round. A 2+2 coupé on a shorter wheelbase was launched in 1965. Though mechanically similar, the beautiful newcomer had all the visual presence its progenitor lacked and came with a 1, 216cc engine producing 80bhp. Tuned, lightweight ‘HF’ versions provided increased performance and formed the basis of the factory’s highly successful rallying programme that saw the Fulvia HF1600 secure Lancia’s first Manufacturers’ World Championship in 1972. Ultimate expression of the Fulvia Coupé, the HF1600 had been introduced in 1969 and came with a 1, 584cc engine producing 115bhp in road tune – an output sufficient for a top speed of 115mph – revised suspension and a five-speed gearbox. Production ceased in 1973 after a little fewer than 5, 000 HF1600s had been built.

Sold new in Switzerland, this Fulvia HF1600 was a standard road car prior to its acquisition in the mid-1980s by well-known Lancia specialist Emil Tschumi, who raced it in several hill climbs in Switzerland and various minor rallies. In 1989 Tschumi entered the famous Tour de Corse Rally where he had an accident and went off the road, so in 1990 he decided to rebuild and restore the car totally. After the restoration’s completion he competed in several editions of the Course de côte des 3 Epis historic rally in France and some Lancia Club events. The current owner bought the car in 2009 and used it on the Gstaad Classic Rally and the Rally Monte Carlo Historique in 2010.

Since this mishap, the car has been fully restored and fully converted to Group 4 specification to the highest standards, with no effort or expense spared. Since the rebuild it has competed twice more in the Rally Monte Carlo Historique with disappointing results due to engine problems. For this reason the engine has been totally rebuilt to ‘as new’ condition by marque specialists Vere Lancia in the Netherlands and the gearbox reconditioned. Previously registered in both Switzerland and Monaco, the car comes with restoration invoices and newly issued FIA HTTP papers.