LANCIA FULVIA 1.3S1974 Lancia Fulvia 1.3S, Cascine Verde 56000 miles
Another lovely car from Sicily, bought via a friend of mine out there. The Lancia Fulvia Coupe appeared in 1965 based on a shortened chassis of the saloon introduced two years earlier, beautifully built and exquisite to drive it was a cut above the Fiats and Fords of the day. Initially fitted with an 80 bhp 1200 cc engine power was increased to 87 with the 1.3 rally and then 90 in the Rally S. There were also 88bhp 1200 HF a 101 BHP 1300HF and the 115/130bhp1600HF . It soon became involved in rallying and in HF form won the world championship several times beginning Lancias domination of the sport for two decades. I’m never completely sure what these cars are going to be like when turn up I know they’re not horrible but when I first laid eyes on it covered in dust at the docks I thought ‘What have I bought! Plus it wouldn’t start so had to be trailered back, but my fears were soon allayed as it was simply flooded from being loaded and unloaded several times from its journey from Ragusa to Whitchurch and the points had closed up. With the plugs cleaned, points and valve clearances checked it burst into life and drove perfectly. As I’ve gone through the car it’s condition has unfolded and it’s way better than I dared hope there is no rust and I mean no rust, anywhere. All factory spot welds are visible on the sills and wheel arches, the wheels are completely unmarked and the wheel centres, which are usually corroded even from Sicily, are like new. The paint and bodywork are excellent and virtually unmarked. The interior is completely original the carpets dashboard are excellent and the instruments all work and the seats are good. The boot rubber mat is present and un damaged with spare wheel, cover, jack, and tool kit, even warning triangle. But it’s the way it drives that is revealing, reminding me of the day I first drove one of these cars, I had a MK 1 fiesta XR2 1600 at the time only a year or so old and I was invited to have a go in a friends Fulvia 1.3s and I just couldn’t believe how well it drove, it’s willingness to rev, the sharp steering and superb brakes the fact that it was only a 1300 and yet it bettered the XR2 in every department even bhp, it had 90 and the fiestas 84, needless to say I bought one shortly after this! This car is so on the button. This car has had three owners in total and was originally registered in Catania in 1974. It was then sold to a Mr Annotasi from Ragusa in 1987 and then to his friend Giuseppe Previto also in Ragusa 2010, Mr Previto had owned a Fulvia in the late 60’s early 70’s and hankered after one and apparently spent many years persuading M Annotasi to sell it. Just out of interest Ragusa is where some of Montalbano TV programs are filmed. It has been very well looked after but as usual there is no paper trail, there is good evidence of maintenance however as several parts have been recently replaced, all I’ve had to do is replace the gearlever gaiter and unstick one of the brake calipers. It has had a complete service, engine oil, gearbox oil and brake fluid change, and went through its first MOT without any advisories. The engine doesn’t smoke at all even when its been left idling for ages and is then driven off…nothing, needless to say the radiator fan works! The gearbox doesn’t whine. A fantastic car that just needs driving! Please call 01256 892304 or mobile 07836 340001
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