Lancia Picture of the day

[Kevinlincs]

I still can't believe that Fulvietta didn't get signed off into production, it still just looks right, would have been a huge success and who knows, may have even been a turning point...

[frankxhv773t]

I thought we were told at the 100th in Turin that it was on an effectively obsolete floor pan so there never was any prospect of signing it off into producing. It might also have required a re-imagining of brand identities within the Fiat Group to restore a sports car to the Lancia lineup.

[nthomas1]

At the 2018 AGM Paolo Buffardi gave a very interesting talk on the Fulvietta.  He was an executive in Product Planning at Lancia and was responsible for the Fulvietta project.  He explained with detailed backup how the car would never have been profitable.  The production costs, purchased parts and tooling amortisation could never have been recovered given the projected sales volume.  A pity, as it was a very appealing concept!

[Kevinlincs]

Was it not using part of the Punto floorpan?
Guess at the time it was before the new Fiat 500 and Mini had shown there was a market for retro inspired reimaginations, not that I'd expect it to even approach the sales levels of either car but surely it would have sold better than they hoped?
It just looked so right, would have been high on my shopping list that's for sure.

[sparehead3]

Hi Norm, I remember that talk and you're right it was really interesting and was a head not heart discussion. I hold out for an Fulvielec - fast, light weight , low centre of gravity and same size it was - and electric of course

[frankxhv773t]

Kevin, it probably wasn't the lack of a demonstrated retro market because the Mini had been in production for two years and both the Rover 75 and Jaguar s type preceded it by five years.

[fay66]

Was it not using part of the Punto floorpan?
Guess at the time it was before the new Fiat 500 and Mini had shown there was a market for retro inspired reimaginations, not that I'd expect it to even approach the sales levels of either car but surely it would have sold better than they hoped?
It just looked so right, would have been high on my shopping list that's for sure.

Knowing Fiat/Lancia they probably misunderstood the Market and got the sums wrong, most people wouldn't have bought it with their head, they'd have bought it with their hearts, something Fiat at the time never seemed to understand.
I know id have bent over backwards to buy one!
Brian
8227

[Kevinlincs]

I'd be on one in a heartbeat too, very much a missed opportunity whatever the figures may have said.
I feel Alfa are at a dangerous point in their existence at the moment, in my opinion.
I have been buying their products for a number of years now as daily drivers, usually 6 or 7 year old cars so not within their view really as to what sells.
But the way cars are going with automatic being the only choice, as good as they may be they do nothing for me as a drivers car. So once my Giuletta gets changed for one of the last I'll be looking elsewhere.
Hopefully by then a fleet of Lancia to use in rotation 

[GerardJPC]

The Alfa Stelvio is a fab thing - it puts the S into SUV.  I am told that the saloon car is good, but I do not like its rather brutal looks.

The Fiat 124 MX5 was a bit disappointing.

[Kevinlincs]

They may well be capable and I'm sure compared to most modern stuff they are, but I'm from a different era, ex rally driver so I am used to changing the attitude and pitch of the car on the throttle, something every auto I've driven seems incapable of doing. Maybe the newer stuff is better, but being able to instantly tighten the line mid corner seems something not programmed into the set parameters of the modern auto gearbox cars. May be great for relaxed driving and I'm sure very good at what it is designed to do but it doesn't float my boat any.
I'll probably get a Fiat for daily once Giulietta gets too old, assuming we have fuel by then still!

[rikardo]

Continuing briefly with the Alfa theme. Its a 10 year old car now, but a 159 in TI spec with the 1750tbi petrol engine is a peach. And the "new" Giulia in Veloce spec with the Performance Pack (column-mounted paddle shift, LSD and uprated brakes) is definitely a good drive. Its a pity the UK only gets the auto, the rest of Europe gets the option of manual transmission but is of course LHD.
Anyways, back on topic. I too wouldve gone for the Fulvietta in a heart-beat, even if I had to sell the Delta!

[Kevinlincs]

Can't argue with that 

[simonandjuliet]

Outdoor Christmas market coming up this weekend, so gave the Appia a run out

Brooding skies and leafless vines .....

[Jaydub]

Great photo Simon, very artistically posed with the complimentary colours of the surroundings. Van looks brilliant. A great showcase of your Wine and your restoration expertise.

[lancialulu]

Twins sort of...