Description
Smart, attractive, working example of the final “GTE”version of the first series Fulvia saloon produced from 1963 to 1969. Now very rare in RHD, the GTE saloon corresponds mechanically to the final version of the first series Fulvia coupe “Rallye S” with higher output 1300cc engine, servo assisted brakes (discs all around) and minor trim interior and exterior trim details from the previous version.
This car was originally supplied in Switzerland (hence odometer is in km) to a customer who specified RHD (and possibly also a gearbox suited to use in hilly terrain - see below). The car had only one or two subsequent owners in Switzerland before being purchased and UK registered as BAN 494G by its previous owner in 2013. This owner took the car to Italy.
Purchased in Italy by the current owner in 2020 and now registered for use in Ireland, the car has been driven between Ireland and Italy several times and has recently returned from an extended driving tour completing over 5000km of mixed driving from May to July 2022 in exceptional high temperatures with no issues whatsoever.
Work undertaken in preparation for this trip included:
- new rear leaf springs,
- front suspension rebuild with new balljoints and bushes,
- gearbox upgrade to higher-geared Fulvia coupe spec for more relaxed cruising,
- new brake master cylinder and servo overhaul,
- front brake pads,
- new fuel pump and fuel hoses,
- new front tyres and tubes, wheel alignment and balancing,
- inspection and testing of electric charging system, - -
- undersealing of sills/ arches,
- full lubrication/ fluids service,
- timing and tuning.
The car is road ready and everything works as it should. There are two sets of original keys and a reproduction copy owners handbook in English together with papers evidencing the car’s history as described above.
Work carried out in Switzerland prior to 2013 included repairs to floors and sills and refinishing of lower body paintwork. Repair of a minor parking dent to rear RHS wing and bumper was carried out in Italy since 2013. Some of these repairs are now in need of cosmetic attention (front/ rear of outer sills and top of RHS rear wing as pictured) but the car is structurally solid and has no corrosion issues. The interior is in excellent condition. Front seats have been re-padded and upholstered. There is a small separstion in stitching of rear seat squab and there two small 1-inch rips to headcloth over rear doors. A headlight lens is cracked and the grey plastic dashboard insert (which is common to all series 1 models) is distorted around the instrument display but is not cracked or broken.
Further work currently planned includes carburettor rebuild (to improve cold starting and power delivery on acceleration) and overhaul of front transverse spring (to eliminate a creak that arose following other recent suspension work above) which can be completed before sale if required. For the asking price, the original lower-geared gearbox valued at £500 can be included as a spare if desired. It has no known faults.
A more coherent/ comprehensive set of pictures will be added shortly when weather conditions and unloading/ cleaning of car permit. Delivery to UK is possible by agreement.
