I went to 'Classic Stoney' today, looking in my rear view mirror as i pulled into the Square and did a double take at what I thought was an Appia van, but not one I'd seen before, things got better when it was directed to park next to Fay.
I got out to have a look, the owner Trevor Davis informed me it was in fact an Ardea van, I plead ignorance at not recognising it as such as I've never seen one before.
Things got more intriguing when Trevor said he had replaced the engine for a Fulvia 1300!
Trevor has his own body shop and intends using it for the business, so he wanted more power.
To fit the Fulvia engine in the limited space of the Ardea engine compartment it only leans over at 25 degrees, Fulvia mechanicals finish at the back of the Bell housing with changes from there backwards including an adaptor plate to mate the bell housing to a triumph 5 speed gearbox, can't remember how the clutch was fitted, then a custom made propshaft then takes the drive to a Ford back axle, the gearing had to be changed as evidentialy it was capable of 65mph in second! Everything has been carried to his professional standard including making his own wiring harness.
Trevor is a LMC Member and I hope I've been successful in persuading him to write an article for Viva Lancia.
There was also a very bright yellow evo for sale, although I don't think it was Giallo fly, with a very nice two tone leather interior, but no asking price on show. A Series 3 Appia Berlina owned for 48 years, but I can't remember the owners name🙄
Numbers were down this year but it seems there were a lot of other shows on today.
Brian
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