The Lancia Fulvia buying guide

When the Lancia Fulvia was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, the audience was shocked at the car’s unusual design. However, once people acclimatised, the Fulvia went on to become one of the manufacturer’s most successful cars, and a sought-after classic today.

This guide covers the two series produced and what you should consider when buying this Italian icon.

lancia Fulvia Series 1

The Lancia Fulvia was the successor to the Appia, which was built from 1953 to 1963. In true Lancia tradition, the Fulvia was named after a classic Roman road – in this case after the Via Fulvia. At the beginning of production the car was only available as a four-door sedan, however, in the spring of 1965 the range was expanded to include a coupé. Presented at the Turin Motor Show, the coupé was designed by Pietro Castagnero and is now considered his most timeless masterpiece. At the end of the same year the Fulvia Sport was added, which was also available as a beautiful Zagato.

The car impressed with its advanced front-wheel drive, independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. Several technically impressive components were adopted from the Lancia Flavia, but not its boxer engine. The Fulvia was equipped with a newly developed, and extremely compact, four-cylinder V-engine. It produced up to 90 hp in road-going guise, while versions designed for rallying were boosted to 158 hp. The Sport model comes from Ercole Spada’s stable, which was then utilised by Zagato. With the lighter and aerodynamically sympathetic body, the first generation Fulvia Sport could reach a top speed of 105mph.

During the course of this first generation of the Fulvia’s production life, the model was revised several times with mechanical and visual changes.

Lancia fulvia Series 2

As a result of Fiat now owning Lancia, the three versions of the Fulvia were revised. Among other things, the brake system and transmission were overhauled to provide better performance. Visual alterations extended to a new radiator grille, rear lights, bumpers and tweaks to the dashboard.

Production of the sedan was discontinued in October 1972, and the last coupe rolled off the assembly line in early 1976. The second generation steel-bodied Fulvia Sport was manufactured from 1970 to 1972. From 1963 to 1976, a total of 336,000 Lancia Fulvia were produced, including approximately 189,000 Berlina, 140,000 coupés and 7000 Sport Zagato.

lancia fulvia Bodywork

The biggest problem with buying a Lancia Fulvia is undoubtedly rust. Rust is to be expected in just about every area, with some locations difficult to inspect. Starting at the front of the car, you should take a look at the space between the front panel and the wing. Since the wings are welded and therefore cannot be removed, you shouldn’t take rust risks in these locations. Also carefully scrutinise around where the headlights are fitted.

During any inspection, look out for correct badging and visual parts as many cars were altered by owners to look more like the HF. Before opening the bonnet, check for rust as it is a known hotspot. Once opened, you can use the identification plate on the right side of the engine compartment to verify the car you’re looking at.

A crucial area to check for rust is the subframe, something that can be incredibly hard to inspect. If there are any major defects found here, we strongly advise against buying. The sills and floor pan should also be examined for rot with the aid of a lift.

fulvia V4 Engine and mechanicals

If the engine has been serviced diligently (checking the valves and regular oil changes) and not used by amateur racers, cars will survive high mileages. Healthy twin carburettors are essential to the smooth running of the V4 engine. If the engine emits clearly audible ticking, it probably needs the valve clearances adjusted. If the engine rattles, this could be due to the timing chain being loose. The gearbox installed in the Fulvia is considered to be very reliable, but second gear synchromesh wears out faster than others.

You should check the condition of the brake system during the inspection. If the car has been stationary for a long period there could be corrosion between aluminium calipers and steel brake pistons. It is also essential for the brake fluid to be changed every two years.

lancia fulvia Interior

Once you have inspected the exterior, you should turn to the inside. The synthetic leather covers in particular tend to tear open at the seams. Due to the elaborate backrest structure, changing the covers is extremely expensive. Make sure the headliner is in good condition and mould free.

If the vehicle has been exposed to the sun for long periods of time, the dashboard may have cracked. Start the engine and check that all of the instrumentation is working correctly. Keep in mind that some of these parts are hard to find and can be costly to obtain.

Conclusion

The availability of spare parts for the Lancia Fulvia is mixed. There are often bottlenecks in supply and some components are practically unavailable. Even minor repairs can end up being expensive as a result.

Any Lancia Fulvia purchase should begin with a detailed inspection to avoid buying a money pit. We would strongly advice seeking an expert to ensure you’re buying a classic you can cherish.

Text Jan Fröhlich  Photos Classic Trader

Author: Classic Trader

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