Lancia Motor Club

If anyone has any info on the late Stan Sweet Fulvia Coupe I would be most grateful.
It’s now back in the U.K. and on NRX323K registration.
I understand he owned the car from the early 90’s and has really cherished the car.
It’s running very strong no issues at all. Brakes have all been refurbed at some point to include new master cylinder and callipers from what I can see.
Since purchasing in October it has been well used.
Would love to hear from anyone who knows the car.

You may know about him already, but someone who worked on Stanley’s cars was the genius-welder-metal-worker and Fulvia enthusiast, Graham Bates. About 15 years ago, Graham’s workshop was just south of Odiham in Hampshire. Telephone number then was 07831 225437. If you find him, give best wishes from me and to you too. 

Thanks Colin the body work is a credit as is who ever did the paint.
The ally panels are perfection too.
Will have to have a visit down to Hampshire.

Is there any paperwork relating to Lydden Circuit? I think I remember it being there. Stanley bought my JLG66K Fulvia Sport.   

  Richard

Lots of scrutineering tags circa late 90’s

What is the mechanical spec now? Stan was modifying at the time. I do remember him saying the JLG65K Sport took nine seconds off his previous Goodwood laptime. Not sure if he ever 'improved' his coupe in the subsequent years.

  Richard

It’s definitely well sorted fast Road spec. Would love to know more if anyone has any more details. The only documentation I have is mainly whilst the car was in France control technique paperwork etc.

I think he was at the sprint at Lyden with Ian Conway in one of his Fulvias (he went from road to sprint to race) and our MG Midget.  The cornering forces popped the sills, eek!  Did he do some Crystal Palace sprints?

I have Crystal Palace tags from the late 90’s plus plenty in Europe.
He certainly used the car, when it was collected in France having been stored since his passing it was covered in dead flies!
What a character he must have been the car is a testament to his love for the Fulvia.

Have really enjoyed going through all the late Stanley Sweet posts here on the forum.
He was certainly very passionate about the Fulvia giving a fair bit of info on the man and the car.
Graham Bates name is widely mentioned and I understand he did a lot of work on the car.
Does anyone have his contact info as I would love to get in touch.
Many thanks in advance.

Is this car the one Graham originally built for himself in Bagshot?
I saw him a year or so ago and he led me to believe he was virtually retired.

I think that GBates car is now owned by Alison Ure. Stan Sweet joined us on the Fulvia Knights rally that I Huib organised to celebrate 50years when we travelled through Europe (well Italy and France and a bit of Luxembourg).

Have seen some of the pics from this event with a red 1.6 HF Lusso with Stans car.
Was that your HF?

Mine was a white 1600hf…. The red one was another LMC member.

Julien, I guess that mobile number I gave for Graham Bates didn't work. I'll send you an off-line message with more info. I think the Series 1 Coupe now owned by Alison Ure, is not an ex-Graham Bates car. Colin 

Ex Doug Ellis?

  Richard

Alison’s S1 was owned and restored by Doug Ellis not Graham Bates

Ah my mistake!!! got the 2 muddled up.

Had a great run out across the Forest of Dean getting onto the entrance of an old Special Stage of the RAC Rally at Speech House.
The weather for February was 15c beautiful sunshine and great fun.
Heading to France in 2 weeks to get some fettling done at Woodrim Cars, pics to follow.

That is looking lovely!
And just need to go on a long trip abroad to get a couple of things done. Yes of course, of course...  ;) ;D ;D

 

My brother restores classic cars in his workshop in Ballotts in the Mayenne, pics to follow.

Somewhere I have pictures of Stan, David and me at the Lydden Hill sprint, and possibly the programme. My first event, but from memory Stan was competing in the national championship. He was an absolute gent. We stayed in touch until he moved abroad, very sad he's no longer with us.

Thank you for your comments,I would have loved to have known Stan he certainly loved this Fulvia and hopefully he would be happy with how it looks now. Had a spirited drive 80 mile run around Herefordshire today, it really does perform well, apart from the heater!! Any pics you have or info would be great if you could share,regards Julien.

Just back from France 🇫🇷 all front suspension bushes replaced. Gear box and engine mounts replaced.
Heater hoses replaced.
Modified alloy lamp brackets for the 9 inch Super Oscars.
Wiper gaskets replaced.
Numerous other fettling completed.
Car sits equal front and rear, the bushes well worn and have transformed the car.

Looks great.  I assume you had to drop the front subframe to replace all those bushings?

To be honest some came out quiet easily and some not so. No need to drop the subframe.

Oooh! that does look good.

Reminds me to have another look at some old B&W photos I have in the attic. One of them I took was of a works Fulvia blasting through the Forest of Dean in the night in the mid 70s near Speech House. IF I can find it I'll post it here.

Yes please that would be great, I live not far from Speech House great RAC territory.
Thanks for the comment, I am very happy with the look of my Fulvia.

It’s almost the weekend and the sun is shining so time to get out on some rural lanes around Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
With the front suspension overhauled the car is now totally transformed.

Today I have made a generic quilted boot liner fit my Fulvia boot.
Not perfect but I am liking the quilted effect that was on lots of Italian cars in the 60’s and 70’s
2nd hand rubber ones fetch top dollar!

These are the photos of my car with the previously mentioned Cibie Iode 45 lamps. I had to put in halogen bulbs because LEDs don’t fit.

In an effort to try and get the light as white as possible, I used the blue halogen bulbs which make quite a difference to the otherwise yellowish light and do not look at all blue when they’re on. Maybe my eyes have changed a lot over the years or maybe I’ve simply got used to modern LEDs, but I always used to think that standard QH lamps were very white!

Nice looking S3 lamps look great 👍

Great run around The Royal Forest of Dean old RAC territory.
Stans old Fulvia after 6 months ownership running spot on.
Out every weekend, road trip to France completed, Snowdonia with the Delta Intergrales done.
Next weekend up on the North York Moors.
Hopefully Stan would approve of my modifications.
May 13th Auto Italia at Prescott.
A busy summer ahead.

Looks an absolute treat in that livery.

Thank you David it stands out at car meets and gets lots of attention, it is a tribute to my late father who prepared Jolly Club Cars 67 to 73 from his Dudley garage when I was a child.

Finally found it!

RAC Rally 1971. Speech House I think.

Not my finest work, but it was a very long time ago when I was young!

Great photo of a Works Fulvia on the RAC Rally thanks for sharing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145050512047?hash=item21c5af2aaf:g:AoQAAOSwxz5kRllz&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4OI7kYoT3fs59WPU3w17%2FE3ET5%2FDgTq21Drka29i66lH2tZAcoAayr7s8fPr3%2F5gTEOIQi7erpey6mJEsSXpWPBA3nQ1mG3I6ddTlzYTvOlr0gDQ%2BQ9sZ9Y7GcU5ZC0lxeSvQFR2uN7Tk1Ed27QpHZjXY1%2Bzp%2FAZbg%2BimEN%2Fz7aXRHpxy8PfQgMW6zjfMVwMOA1MWXOaOhoE3RAuBVhqpr%2Bea6WMxoHw3TdiPLK%2B6dI%2FEtj%2B8zBUUfy9isis59JFujdjw%2BgT63Q2edxQpkm0DPoIgND7B9k23UxDm7ESD4Dv%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6LB7rj2YQ

Some shots from Masters of Motoring only Lancia on display.

I assume you are based in the Forest of Dean, are you aware that John Brain is running 'Bobby's Tour of the Dean on 29th July?
Big Lancia people and they also have a small but interesting car show in the afternoon.

Yes I am over that way and have been in contact with John, my Fulvia will be on show, hopefully we will see some more Lancias.