With four-wheel disc brakes and sleek styling, the Lancia Fulvia was a very advanced car for its day – and in coupé form also an agonisingly pretty one.
The Coupé was a compact two-door, three-box model introduced in 1965. Like the saloon on which it was based, it was designed in-house by Lancia’s Piero Castagnero but had a wheelbase six-inches shorter than the saloon.
It was an unusual car, made all the more curious by the installation of Lancia’s quirky twin cam V4 engine, one of the smallest vee-shaped engines ever made with a displacement of 1,298cc. It was a responsive engine with a distinctive sound – a really unusual thing, but one that went impressively well.
This example is a South African-built model which the vendor informs us was first registered in 1971, manufactured by Daihatsu Manufacturing Pty, which assembled cars for multiple manufacturers in the country in the 1960s and 1970s. It has just arrived in the UK and is right-hand-drive and ready to enjoy.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Imported from South Africa in March 2023
NOVA documents completed and all import duties paid
ZA registration document to follow where the car was registered as a 1971 example - in spite of its Series 3 badging and appointments which suggest it to be of a later manufacture
Restored in South Africa with respray and suspension overhaul
Tax, MOT and ULEZ exempt
The vendor (a former South African resident) is happy to help with first registration – a very simple process if car stays in UK
THE INTERIOR
Incredible factory-option green velour trim
Two-tone matching door cards
New black carpets
Wooden dashboard finish
Crack-free vinyl dash top
Twin-spoke sports steering wheel
Period Sanyo Rapier radio-cassette player
Tidy original headlining
THE EXTERIOR
Repainted in South Africa in original white - and smartly finished
No dents, damage or chips to paintwork
Solid underneath – restored and undersealed ready for British climate
Vendor reports that chassis was good before paint
Gold-painted sports steel wheels with original centre caps and brand-new tyres
All original chrome, trim and badges present and correct
Some crazing to rear light lenses
Two small dents on roof (see images)
Missing indicator lens in photos has been ordered and will be replaced before the car is sold
THE MECHANICS
Quirky 1.3-litre V4
Starts on the button
Five-speed manual transmission with dog-leg first gear
Will receive a service ahead of sale
Holds a steady temperature and good oil pressure
A short test drive showed it to drive really well with no evident running problems
SUMMARY
This is a fantastic, restored example of a rare car and one that’s a guaranteed safe investment for the future. It’s a charming example, huge fun to drive, amazing to look at and the interior really is something else – it’s a colour theme that only the Italians could make look stylish and get away with, and it’s a huge selling point for what’s already a fantastic example of a highly desirable classic Lancia.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
