Description:

SUMMARY

This little 1,584cc Fulvia HF (now registered as a Rallye HF) would make a perfect first time entry into the world of historic rallies.

DESCRIPTION

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, Lancia’s little Fulvia was as intriguing and ambitious as it was innovative, swapping rear-wheel drive for a more advanced front-wheel drive, embracing Lancia's DOHC V4 engine. Starting with a modest 57bhp but evolving to a sturdy 130bhp, its variants, especially the Coupés, gained fame for their rallying prowess. An undeniably underappreciated icon in the history books of Italian automotive successes.

The Fulvia marked Lancia’s glorious and victorious return to motorsport, carving a niche in the rallying scene, paving the way for an era of dominance in the World Rally Championship far from the spotlight hogged by its successors – the Stratos, O37 and Delta Integrale. It is often forgotten that it was the Fulvia that earned the distinction of winning Lancia's first World Rally title in 1972.

This particular Fulvia was rebuilt as a rally car in 2017 having started its life as a standard 1.3 (1,300cc). It's now powered by a 1,600cc engine fitted with twin-Weber 45 carbs, work-spec cams, Arrow conrods, a balanced crank, Mangoletsi intake manifold and carburettor linkage and a 'Group 4' manifold/free-flow exhaust, recently set up and dyno-tested by Stanton Motorsports. It's a Fulvia HF body (steel construction with aluminium bonnet, boot, and doors) registered as a Rallye HF. The interior is as basic as one would expect, stripped back to save weight and fitted with a roll cage, two Recaro bucket seats, racing harnesses and fire extinguishers.

Upon its conversion to rally-spec, the car was maintained by its owner's in-house mechanic, who carried out all repairs, modifications, servicing and pre-event spanner checks. Recent work included stripping the engine and gearbox for check-overs and refurbing with fresh gaskets.

Cosmetically, as is to be expected with a competition car, there are some dents and imperfections, however there are no major sightings of rust except for some light surface tarnishing where the paint has chipped.

Lancia-based rally cars have traditionally been expensive, however this little Fulvia seems like tremendous value. It’s a well raced and ready-to-go example of Lancia's legendary rally car.

Website:

https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1968-lancia-fulvia-rallye-hf-rec13795-1-silverston-0824?pn=1&el=23540&pp=100