Vendor supplied images
Highlights
- Uk car and one of just 400 RHD ade
- Genuine 818.541 chassis 1600HF
- Beautifully restored with Bronzo Longchamps paint
- Only 41,475 miles from new
- Detailed history file of regular maintenance
- Only seven registered keepers in 52 years
The Appeal
It started with a group of devoted Lancisti. Known as the HiFi Club for their ‘high fidelity’ commitment to the brand, these enthusiasts inspired Lancia’s entry into competition -the HF Squadra Corsa.
A range of high performance road-going cars was inevitable. The Fulvia was an obvious candidate for both competition and tuning. Its well balanced, nimble chassis and perky V4 suited events like the Monte Carlo rally, which it would go on to win in 1972.
The showroom 1600HF was essentially a road-going version of that racer. These later, more powerful HF cars got a heavily revised version of the clever Lancia V4 delivering 110bhp. Just 3,690 left the factory over two series, only 400 of them in RHD like this car.
It is the export-only Lusso model, which eschewed the ‘Fanalone’ big lamp look and returned items such as bumpers, trim and a radio, which were otherwise missing from the standard car. As such, it is something of a sleeper - virtually indistinguishable from a standard Fulvia coupe.
And it is magnificent. The rare Bronze Longchamps metallic paintworks sets off what is undeniably one of the prettiest Italian cars of the last 60 years. This genuine 818.541 chassis HF has covered just 41,475 miles from new in the hands of just seven keepers.
The extensive history file supports the impression of a well cared for and thoroughly sorted car. The vendor reports that the driving experience is ‘excellent’, with good suspension, precise gearchange and ‘needs nothing.’
History and Paperwork
- 1972 car first registered in the UK on 28th November 1972
- Chassis prefix 818.541 1600HF
- Only seven registered keepers including the current owner
- Comprehensive history file with records dating back to 1997
- Structural repairs to subframe mountings and sills carried out to a good standard
- This work was done by specialist Richard Thorne Garage in 2007
- Recent work includes a new bonnet release cable and Bluetooth-compatible radio installation
- Service history includes various repairs and replacements from 1997 to 2024
- UK V5C in current keeper’s name
- Historic vehicle that is MOT and tax exempt and ULEZ exempt
- Invoices and receipts dating back to the 1970s
- Two sets of keys
- Original owners’ manual
- Workshop repair manual
- Old MOTs to verify low mileage
- Original sales brochure
- Original factory build/PDI sheet found in car by previous owner
- HPI clear
- Original Ziebart rustproofing certificate
- Always garaged by current keeper
The Condition
- Rare RHD Lusso model with bumpers, chromework and radio
- Bodywork in very good condition with minimal imperfections
- Paintwork presents well, regularly cleaned and polished
- Interior in very good condition with no tears or cuts to the vinyl
- Carpets and dash in very good condition
- Chrome work has minimal spots, in keeping with the car's age
- The vendor advises very light tarnishing to door handle chromework
- Underside treated and in very good condition
- Engine bay very clean and well-maintained
- Bronzo Longchamps Metallic
- All correct HF badges and trim
- Black vinyl sports seats with very good padding and support front and rear
- Wooden dash and Radiomobile radioupdated with Bluetooth
- Mota-Lita steering wheel with original included
Open the door and the extra upmarket touches of the export-only Lusso model are apparent immediately, thanks to the wooden dashboard and period Radiomobile push-button stereo installed on the passenger side of the dash, alongside the oil temperature gauge. This has recently been updated for Bluetooth compatibility.
The stylish cabin remains standard and free from any modifications other than a Moto-Lita drilled alloy steering wheel. However, the original steering wheel will come with the car.
It has black vinyl sports seats which are remarkably comfortable and supportive for a 51-year-old car and the black vinyl seat covering is excellent. Door cards are original and in good condition, however the headlining and carpets are in very good to excellent condition. A matching pair of HF floor mats is in the boot should you wish to fit them, and the car comes with its original tools and dash.
The bronze ‘Bronzo Longchamps’ paint really suits the rakish lines of the HF, as well as being gloriously in-period.
The paint is excellent overall and the panels are all straight and free from any signs of corrosion, dents or damage.
The same is true of the brightwork, even items like the Mazak door handles are holding up well given they’re over half a century old with only minor pitting. The special HF badges, complete with elephant symbol – reputedly chosen because, according to Gianni Lancia, “once an elephant starts running, nobody can stop it” – are all in place. The “Cromodora” alloy wheels look to have been refurbished relatively recently and are in superb order, fitted with good Michelin Energy tyres all-round.
The Mechanics
- Revised 1,584cc narrow 11degree V4 Lancia engine
- Standard specification with 110bhp
- 5spd manual gearbox which vendor reports delivers a precise change
- Running gear and engine in fine fettle according to seller
- Vendor tells us that the car starts first time and quickly settles
- We are advised no leaks from the engine or any oils or lubricants
- Standard 1600 HF engine with distinctive yellow cam cover
- Steering is reported to be tight and precise
- Seller tells us that the suspension is firm but comfortable as it should be
- Exhaust provides a lovely note under acceleration
- Unusual slant-angle V4
- Recent carburettor balance and overhaul
- Runs and drives beautifully according to seller
- Very tidy engine bay
Under the bonnet, the engine bay is very well-presented and clean, with no obvious signs of rust or repairs to the bulkhead or inner wing areas.
Lancia’s narrow-angle V4 sits well forward, canted at 45 degrees, with a distinctive bright yellow-painted cam cover marking it out as an HF (standard cars had blue). The detail touches are superb.
It runs sweetly, the twin Solex carbs recently overhauled and balanced in2023, so it starts on the button and runs really sweetly.
The car accelerates well, with no hesitation, and the five-speed gearbox, with characteristic dog-leg first, is smooth and slick through all ratios. It has disc brakes all round and handles beautifully.
The vendor tells us:
“The car is very good to drive. The steering is nice, tight and precise and the suspension is excellent, especially on A & B roads. The exhaust provides a lovely note under acceleration. Gears are very precise.
“It is adorable. Neat, compact, superbly well presented, ultra-useable and practical, especially as it is both LEZ and ULEZ compliant. It is extremely rare to find a Fulvia Coupe 1600HF Lusso for sale, and most definitely in this colour and condition. That the radio is also now Bluetooth compatible allows the car to keep it's original charisma with added practicality. It definitely turns heads and brings a smile to those driving and those interested in it.”
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