“If you want a beautifully-engineered classic car that is entirely practical for everyday use, fast enough to keep up with the modern traffic, economical to run, and not so complicated that maintenance becomes a nightmare, think about a Fulvia. It is probably the most affordable piece of high-quality machinery that will meet all these requirements.”
During the last years of the fifties the ownership of Lancia S.p.A. passed form Lancia family to Eng. Pesenti. The new ownership adopted a more commercial strategy and after the good results of Appia and Flavia decided to produce a new car of little cubic capacity.
The engineering was directed by Prof. Eng. Antonio Fessia and the new model had to be submitted to his particular philosophy: front wheel drive and a compact narrow V four cylinder engine.
From the first 1.1 litre 58 HP Berlina the model was evolved with two other different bodies and got more powerful engines up to 132 HP.
At the end of the sixties FIAT acquired Lancia and in the middle of the seventies the production of Fulvia and other Lancia models were substituted by FIAT design ones.
The Fulvia was one of the most important models in Lancias history because of its tecnical innovations and competition results, especially for the International Rally Championship won in 1972 by Munari/Mannucci with the series 1 HF ‘Fanalone’. The Fulvia Coupé Rallye 1.6 HF was the forerunner of Stratòs HF
Lancia Fulvia Berlina
The Berlina was designed to substitute the old Appia, and was intended as a small cubic capacity but elegant saloon. The Lancia introduced the concept of monocoque structure in Italy with Lambda, Eng. Fessia combined the monocoque with front wheel drive of Flavia, from which Fulvia derives. The engine adopted again the traditional narrow vee architecture, after the flat four experience of Flavia.
The styling is quite classic and his shape is simple and not particularly innovative. The main characteristic is the trapezoidal front grid inserted between coupled headlight. The internal furniture was oriented to a sober but rich style. The little Lancia although was expensive had a good market success.
The evolution was oriented on getting more horsepower because of the bulky car’s weight.
The 2C model introduced the double carburetors, and passing through the adoption of 1216 engine in GT model, the GTE model reached the 1.3 liters of cubic capacity mounting the same engine of Fulvia Coupé 1.3 Rallye.
Front track is 1300 mm, rear track is 1280 mm, wheel-base is 2480mm for first series saloon, lengthened up to 2500mm in second series cars.
The second series adopted a 5 speed gearbox derived from racing experience of Coupé HF; the gear lever had a quite strange disposition for a sedan holding the following dog leg scheme:
Lancia Fulvia Coupé
The Coupé was the most successful Fulvia’s model. As a matter of fact it has been produced continuously for more than ten years. The body design was made by the designer Piero Castagnero and structural engineer Aldo Castagno. The designers had to submit their project of a sporting car to rigid technical bonds: the use of Fulvia chassis and engine, a maximum overall length of 4,000 mm, 900 kg of weight and a cockpit configuration of 2+2 seats in order to carry small families. The result of their work was a nice and compact car which reached immediately customer success although the great price of sale. Front track is 1300mm, rear track is 1280 mm, wheelbase is 2330mm, shortened by 150mm from the size of saloon. To reach the weight limit the bonnet, the boot and the doors were in light aluminum alloy. The Coupé was the first Italian car whose project had to come up to strictly safety rules in order to preserve passengers.
The evolution of this car was guided by racing needs. Reaching success in Rally Championship was a primary goal of Lancia management, so in spite of strained circumstances the Racing Division had the possibility to develop the car. The normal production benefit by sporting technical innovation so the second series had a 5 speed gearbox, a better braking system (SuperDuplex) and a more reliable lighting plant. But for reason of cost all aluminum parts of the body were substituted by steel ones and a new simpler radiator grill was adopted. The Fulvia Coupé is still one of the most loved car in Italy.
Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato
The sport body comes from an idea of Elio Zagato, who had created interesting and advanced racing car.
Starting from the chassis of Coupé, Ercole Spada designed an avantgarde body with more aerodynamics than Coupé and advanced stylistic solutions.
These cars were assembled in the factory of Zagato near Milan.
Front track is 1300mm, rear track is 1280 mm, wheelbase is 2330mm just like the Coupé.
The Sport is lighter than the Coupé because of the extended use of light alloy parts in the body, this fact made Sport too much delicate for long distance race, especially with 1.6 engines, and that’s why it hadn’t got the same fame in sporting like the Coupé.
Only 1.2 and earlier 1.3 models had complete peralluman body; following 1.3 and 1.3 s first series maintained only doors, bootlid and spare tyre door in light alloy: the peralluman body was abandoned to strengthen the coachwork and also for economic reasons.
Second series adopted steel coach and steel door because they where easier to produce, but the first second series cars, quite rare (600 specimen known as 1 and ½ series), had still aluminum moving parts with bootlid side opening.
A spider prototype was also built in 1968.
Lancia Fulvia Coupé HF
The HF Saga
Lancia produced a limited number of car with enhanced characteristics destined to racing activity, and they were marked HF. HF is the symbol of Lancia’s racing team and was adopted by Cesare Fiorio in 1963; the Squadra Corse had also the goal to coordinate the activity of gentlemen drivers in order to concentrate the efforts for victory. The Fulvia HF had more powerful and well tuned engines, with special camshafts and bigger carburettors, more Spartan furniture with racing seats, enlighten bodies without bumpers and adopted Perspex windows. Some models had enlarged mudguards and larger tyres. The most important HF is the 1.6 model known as Fanalone, that means big headlight, for his bigger central high beam lamps. This car opened the door of glory in rally races to Lancia. With 160 hp, front wheel drive and 850 kg of weight the Fanalone was a more balanced car than competitors and was easier to drive. The last Coupé 1.6 HF is known as Fanalino (little headlight), it was build with the second series body and didn’t reach
The complete Lancia Fulvia production |
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Fulvia Berlina |
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First series 1963 – 1969 |
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Model | Period | Chassis | First Chassis | Engine | Production | Notes |
(1C) | 1963-1964 | 818.000/001 | 1001 | 818.000 | 32.200 | Engine with a single double barrel carburettor. Bumpers have rostra, the ring on the rims are still not present. The small Lancia shield on the radiator grid has 5 binding holding the flag. Dunlop braking system. Lancia’s shield on radiator grid has 5 flag mountings. |
2C | 1964-1969 | 818.100/101 | 40001 | 818.100 | 48.266 | Engine with two double barrel carburettors. Rostra disappear from bumpers (with the exception of the first specimen converted from 1C), rev counter is added. It is possible to tell it from the previous model by a enamenled badge with 2C writing on the radiator grid, and the rear writing Fulvia 2C |
GT | 1967-1969 | 818.200/201 | 1001 | 818.130 818.202 |
9.499 | The engine of Fulvia Coupé 1216 is adopted, from 1967 engine becomes 1231. With column shift lever. It is possible to tell it from the previous model by a enamenled badge with GT writing on the radiator grid, and the rear writing Fulvia GT. Wheels have stainless steel rim covers |
GT | 1967-1969 | 818.210/211 | 1001 | 818.130 818.202 |
24.330 | With gearlever on the floor, for more sports oriented customers |
GT Grecia | 1967-1969 | 818.282 | 1001 | 818.282 |
358 |
Reduced for fiscal reasons displacement version for Greek marketplace. Column shift lever |
GT Grecia | 1967-1969 | 818.292 | 1001 | 818.282 |
298 |
Reduced for fiscal reasons displacement version for Greek marketplace. With gearlever on the floor |
GTE | 1968-1969 | 818.310/311 | 1001 | 818.302 | 10.386 |
Equipped with Fulvia Rallye 1,3 engine, with gearlever on the floor. It can be distinguished from previous models by the radiator grid badge with GTE acronym. Wheels have different hub covers with relief Lancia writing. The car mounts the same external rear mirrior of Rallye 1,3 on the driver’s side wing. Servo brakes. |
Second series 1969 – 1972 |
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4 vel. | 1969-1970 | 818.610/611 | 1001 | 818.302 | 22.319 |
Shares many details with previious GTE like steering column and external rear mirrior driver’s side wing, but has a longer wheelbase of 2500 mm and the body presents both a new front grid part and a rounded booth. Writings on the rear valance are on capiatl letters crossed by an horizontal bar, Front jodiun headlights have dimmed lambs of a larger diameter. Four speed gearbox is operated by a short lever like the one on Rallye 1,6 HF |
5 vel. | 1970-1972 | 818.612/613 | 1001 | 818.302 | 41.687 |
It differs from prvious model by the 5 speed gearbox (inspired by ZF) and different valance writings which are contained in a small ingot. Lancia’s shield on radiator grid has only 3 flag mountings. External rear mirror is mounted on driver’s door. Front suspension is unified for all 2nd series Fulvia with pressed steel upper wishbones instead of tubular ones. Girling braking system and collapsable steering coulmn. |
Serie 2 Grecia | 1969-1970 | 818.682 | 1001 | 818.282 | 690 | Reduced for fiscal reasons displacement version for Greek marketplace. Four speed gearbox. |
Serie 2 Grecia | 1970-1972 | 818.694 | 1001 | 818.282 | 2114 | Reduced for fiscal reasons displacement version for Greek marketplace. Five speed gearbox. |
Fulvia Coupé |
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First series 1965 – 1969 |
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1.2 | 1965-1967 | 818.130/131 | 1001 | 818.130 818.202 |
20.436 | Equipped with 1216cc engine up to 1967 thereafter 1231 engine is used. On initial specimens the dashboard decoration was wooden, but afhter the decoration is made of plastic covered by a thin wooden layer. Lancia’s shield on radiator grid has 5 flag mountings. Wheels’ rim coverares missing. Steel doors, boonet and booth lids. Dunlop braking system |
1.3 | 1967-1969 | 818.330/331 | 1001 | 818.302 | 17.850 | Equipped with 1298 cc engine producing 87 HP, wheels have stainless steel rim covers, it is distinguished by previous model by the writing Rallye 1,3 on the bottom left side of the valance. Peralluman doors, boonet and booth lids |
1.3 S | 1968-1969 | 818.360/361 | 1001 | 818.303 | 16.827 | Equipped with 1298 cc engine producing 93,2 HP with oil cooler, wheels have stainless steel rim covers, hub covers with relief Lancia writing, it has a different writing Rallye 1,3 S on the bottom left side of the valance, the badge on the radiator grid and the xternal rear mirror mounted on the driver’s side wing. With the exception of the last 1970 specimen built in 1970, doors, booth and bonet lids are in Peralluman. Doors have quarter windows. Servo assisted brakes |
First series HF 1966 – 1970 |
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Coupé HF | 1966-1967 | 818.140 | 1001 | 818.140 | 435 | Lightened version of Fulvia Coupé, doors, booth and bonet lids are in Peralluman,side and rear windows in plexiglass, essential trims and racing seatsi. The dasboard decoration is wooden and theclock has been replaced by oil temperature gauge. On th lateer specimens the bonnetlid decoration has been replaced by the small one the will feature the following HF. As the bumpers are not expected, te mounting holes on th body arre missing. Wheels are naked.Dunlop braking system |
Rallye 1,3 HF | 1967-1969 | 818.340/341 | 1100-1295 1404-2089 |
818.342 | ca. 882 | Racing version of Fulvia Rallye 1,3 and evolution of Coupé HF from whic differs for writing Rallye 1,3 HF on the bottom left side of the valance and for soms small stainless steel that cover thehole for mounting the bumpersi. Oil cooler fitted. The last 20 specimens have the 5 speed gearbox called “testone” |
Rallye 1.6 HF | 1969-1970 | 818.540/541 | 1001 | 818.540 | ca. 1.258 | Better known as Fanalone. Evolution of Rallye 1,3 HF from wich differs for the rear writing Rallye 1,6 HF, for the external Vitaloni Sebring rear mirror, for big diameter main beams Carello headlamps, and the small triangular holes between radiator grid and headlamps and fiberglass flared wheelarches. The engine is available in racing tunining (variante 1016) offering 132 HP. Five speed gearbox (inspired by ZF). Light alloy wheels 6″J13″, both sia Campagnolo and Cromodora. Some specimens called Lusso have bumpers, metallic paint, and all glass windiows. |
Rallye 1.6 HF | 1969-1970 | 818.540 | n.a. | 818.540 | 20 | Fanalone especially built for Reparto Corse Lancia, some of them have Fanalone body on second series frame |
Second series 1970 – 1976 |
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1.3 S | 1970-1971 | 818.630/631 | 1001 | 818.303 | Stilistically revised on the front part adopting a different radiator grid wider and with lower height. Writings on the rear valance are on capiatl letters crossed by an horizontal bar. Front jodiun headlights. Still has front suspension with tubulaar upper wishbones. Lancia’s shield on radiator grid has only 3 flag mountings. External rear mirror is on driver’s door. The engine loses oil cooler and hosepower drops to 90 HP (DIN). Collapsable steering column. Girling braking system with servo. Dasboard decoration is made of plastic covered by a thin wooden layer. Radiator grid and bonnetlid intake grid are in cromed plastic. Randomly assembled cars have aluminium doors or bonnet and booth lids. | |
1.3 S | 1972-1973 | 818.630/631 | 11.276 | 818.303 | Added up to the previous model, are 45.754 | Front suspension is unified for all 2nd series Fulvia with pressed steel upper wishbones instead of tubular ones and valance writings which are contained in a small ingot. The intervention to reduce costs are easily spottable: the wooden layer dasbord decoration disappers. |
1.3 S Montecarlo | 1972-1973 | 818.630/631 | Included in 1.3 S | 818.303 | 4.440 | Montecarlo setting up Commemorative version of the 1972 Montecarlo Rallye victory, with 1,3s engine, has 3 spokes steering wheel, Fanalino Lusso seats, flared wheelarches body, similar but slightly different to 1600HF, bumpers are missing as quarter light and courtesy light on doors do. External rear mirror on driver’s side wing. Bonnet and booth lids are painted in dull black and available colors are Rosso Corsa, Azzurro Francia, Giallo Olanda e Verde Gran Bretagna. (Red, Light Blue, Yellow, Green). A couple of rectangular fog lights are mounted instead of front bumper. May be that it was hypotized a special championship for the car never realized. It is available with a shorter final ratio, that is the geabox of 818.612 saloon. |
“3” | 1974-1976 | 818.630/631 | 51.156 | 818.303 | 28.763 | Equipped with safety belts on front seats, headrest, demister, steering wheel in foam, moquette and wooden gearlever knob. Front wings are bolted and not welded. New bigger sump. New writings and black radiator grid and headlamp surroundings. The grid on the bonnetlid is still cromed. |
“3” Montecarlo | 1974-1976 | 818.630/631 | Included in “3” | 818.303 | 2.529 | Montecarlo setting up Similar to previous Montecarlo, has writings and radiator grid of Fulvia 3, it is optionally available the electronic ignition and rear fog light. |
“3” Safari | 1974-1976 | 818.630/631 | Included in “3” | 818.303 | 900 | Safari setting up Commemorative version for Safari Rally. It is th Fulvia that mostly suffered the Fulvia impoverishment of its equipmnent: radiator grid, headlamps surroundings, bonnetlid grid, external rear mirror, window wipers are in dull black, seats are in imitation leather and denim, safety belts are missing, bumpers are missing, doos wityhout quarter light and courtesy light. Even the watch has been replaced with a badge with a progressive number. Available in a limited nuber of colours |
1600 HF Corsa | 1970-1971 | 818.740/741 | Included in Lusso | 818.540 | ca. 200 | Fanalino Corsa version with more essential equipment, directly derived from Corsa version of the Rallye 1.6 HF. Engine has been slightly detuned and is less refined, oil coole is missing. Cromed radiator grid in plastic. Only few random specimen may have aluminium doors or booth and bonnet lids. Front suspension comes fron Fanalone with negative camber and more direct steering box. Girling brake system witth servo.Writings on the rear valance are on capiatl letters crossed by an horizontal bar. |
1600 HF Lusso | 1970-1973 | 818.740/741 | 1001 | 818.540 | 3.690 | Fanalino Lusso Version with a more complete equipment: front seat with headrest, doors with quarterlight and courtesy light, bumpers, inox steel radiator grid.Only few random specimen may have aluminium doors or booth and bonnet lids.Writings on the rear valance of 1970-1971 cars are on capiatl letters crossed by an horizontal bar, the other ones are contained in a small ingot. |
Fulvia Sport – Zagato |
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First series 1965 – 1970 |
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1.2 | 1965-1967 | 818.132/133 | 1001 | 818.130 | 202 | The body is completely in P eralluman, body panel are riveted or clipped to the monocoque. Intakes under steel radiator grid are missing in intial prototymes, headlight surroundings are in cromed brass. Multi strate wooden dashboard decoration. Dunlop braking system, 1216 cc engine. Spare tyre is containet in a specific booth with its own lid All mobile parts exluded hatch door are in Peralluman |
1.3 | 1967-1969 | 818.332/333 | 1203 | 818.302 | ca. 1.578 | It differs from previous model by the Sport 1,3 writing. from car nr. 001912 body panels are in steel riveted and clipped to monocoque. |
1.3 S | 1968-1970 | 818.362/363 | 1001 | 818.303 | ca. 1.898 | It differs from previous model by the Sport 1,3 S writing. Equipped with the same engine of Rallye 1,3s giving 93,2 HP , with oil cooler. External rear miror on driver’s front wing. Wheels without external steel rim but with hub covers with relavated Lancia writing. Braking servo is missing |
Second series 1970 – 1972 |
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1.3 S | 1971 | 818.650/651 | 1001 | 818.303 | ca. 600 | Fulvia Sport series 1& ½ with second series subframe and first series body. Doors, bonnet lid and spare wheel housing lid in peralluman. Oil cooler abandoned . External rearmirror on driver’s door. Girling braking system. Collapsable steering column |
1.3 S | 1971-1972 | 818.650/651 | 1601 | 818.303 | ca. 2.000 | Definitive second series model with body panels welded to monocoque, wings are larger, bonnetlid is hinged in the front part and not anymore on right side, spare wheel housing lid is missing. Radiator grid and headlams surrroundings are in peralluman . Chromed bumpers with a rubber border. Subframe shared with 818.612 saloon . Late cars may have head rest and optionally electric windows. |
1600 | 1971-1972 | 818.750/751 | 1001 | 818.540 | ca. 800 | Equpped with Fanalino’s engine and gearbox (with 11/39 fiinal ratio)on a 818.612 subframe with normal ratio steering box and positive camber. Body is second series and doors have low profile handles and specific bumpers have 4 rostra. Is the first Italian car equipped with electric windows as a common endowment, with a special handle for emergecy. Seats with headrest. Livery expects black stripe on bonnet lid for light color cars and two small white stripes for cars in dark color |
Special Prototypes 1968 |
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Leggere | 1968 | 818.332 | 001287 001288* 001289 001340 001380 |
818.140 | 4 | First prototypes assembled by Zagato Before Fiorio’s purcchase order |
Squadra Corse | 1968 | 818.132 | 002290 002300 |
818.342 818.540 |
2 | Squadra Corse Works cars |
Daytona | 1968 | 818.332 | 001911 | 818.342 818.540 |
1 | Daytona winning prototype, first with 1.401 cc engine then with 1.584 cc. Now defunct |
1968 | 818.332 | 002450 | 818.302 | 1 | Car available to Lancia SpA and Squadra corse, but never used in race. | |
Competizione 1,3 | 1968 | 818.332 | 001890 001891* 001892* 001893* 001894 001895* 001896 001897 001898* 001899* 001900 001904 001905 001906 001907 001908 001909 001910 002332 002333* 002362 002382* |
818.302 | 22 | 22 special cars ordered by Cesare Fiorio himself for Sporting customers. They are equipped by ligtened chassis and subframe, Peralluman body with flared wheelarchesto fit 6″J13″ Campagnolo wheels. radiator grid and front headlamps surroundinngs are in aluminium. lateral and rear windows are in plexiglass. Original livery is Rosso San Siro with light blue Elasticpell trimi. |
Competizione 1,3s | 1969 | 818.362 | 001270* 001271* 001272* 001273 001274* 001275* 001276* 001277 001278 001279* |
818.303 | 10 | Cars with similar characteristics as Competizione 1,3 but equipped with 818.303 engine and oil cooler. |