Someone had to save it- That Fulvia estate

[peteracs]

Maybe we are looking at a different car? The car I can see is a Carlton.

Peter

[lancialulu]

Maybe we are looking at a different car? The car I can see is a Carlton.

Peter

Red at the back of the workshop?

[fay66]

Is that a MKII Ford Cortina in the background?

Vauxhall Carlton Mk1 

Are you sure. The MKI Carlton did not have the "vents" in the D-Pillar. Also, the width of the D pillar look looks larger compared to the Carlton.

@ the OP: Can you confirm the car?

I think you'll find that that is the colour of the car behind, seen through the glass door quarter panel, and the rear window of the Carlton.
Brian
8227

[peteracs]

The original question was asked immediately after the post/photo of the Fulvia in a field, hence the Carlton answer. The MkII Cortina is in one of the photos right near the beginning of the thread when the car is in a barn. There are two red cars with the look of it in different photos, a red Cortina and a MR2.

Peter

[Beckerman67]

The original question was asked immediately after the post/photo of the Fulvia in a field, hence the Carlton answer. The MkII Cortina is in one of the photos right near the beginning of the thread when the car is in a barn. There are two red cars with the look of it in different photos, a red Cortina and a MR2.

Peter

Thank you for clarifying that, although I'm starting to regret answering the question as we appear to have gone somewhat off-topic as a consequence 

[Wangler]

Someone has to say it!

I wasn’t going to say anything as I don’t like knocking people’s dreams. But, lots of people are commenting (although mostly off topic) and I guess you must be expecting some brickbats!

It’s obviously a very personal decision to undertake this enormous restoration and I wonder what motivated you to do so. It was never a great car and it never can be. It will only ever be a quirky vehicle that someone many years ago with spare time and a welding torch once thought would be a good idea. I don’t think it ever was a good idea, but who knows the circumstances that gave rise to it.

The amount of time that will need to be spent on it is off the scale. I assume you must be a skilled welder or you wouldn’t have contemplated the project, but that’s only the start.

I’m sure all the parts (and you’ll need a heck of a lot of them) will be available from donor cars, eBay, Omicron, Tanc Barratt, Pieces Fulvia etc. but they won’t come cheap these days.

If you want a Fulvia (and why wouldn’t any classic car enthusiast, they are beautifully engineered) I think I would spend my time on one that will at least be worth something one day, thereby recouping a lot of what you are going to spend on time and components. It will also be guaranteed a great car to drive if done correctly. Some pretty rough ones are advertised from time to time, but they can make good long-term projects.

Sorry to be negative, but I’ve seen too many projects abandoned after spending an inordinate amount of time and money on them by the time the penny dropped.

[peteracs]

Hi Richard

I cannot fault your comments apart from just one point which may have some bearing on the decision, that is if you want a one off which will be unique to you and hence a talking point. Certainly the value will be way less than the likely restoration cost.

I have been on the lookout for a kit car based on engine/running gear from a Beta for some time now and know it will cost way more than its value after restoration, but my reasoning is to save/have what is likely to be the only one and it is an interesting car.

Peter

[lancialulu]

Hi Richard

I cannot fault your comments apart from just one point which may have some bearing on the decision, that is if you want a one off which will be unique to you and hence a talking point. Certainly the value will be way less than the likely restoration cost.

I have been on the lookout for a kit car based on engine/running gear from a Beta for some time now and know it will cost way more than its value after restoration, but my reasoning is to save/have what is likely to be the only one and it is an interesting car.

Peter

Well said. A hobby is just that. If it is trying to justify on financial basis it is not a hobby but an investment.

[frankxhv773t]

Some of us are attracted to the quirky and unusual and without us many rarities would not get saved. The world is full of people who take on projects that don't make sense to more rationally minded individuals. The original Fulvia HPE was created by just such an individual and if someone is enthused by the prospect of saving it I for one applaud that.

[SanRemo78]

In a field full of fabulous Fulvias this one will draw the crowds!

It'll be a long road for this restoration that won't make any financial sense (a bit like my Beta Coupe) but we do it because we love the cars. I hope there are lots mote pictures to see as the work progresses!

Guy

[Wangler]

Chacun à son goût.

[davidwheeler]

That car of yours looks vaguely familiar, did you buy it from Bob Cuppage?    He certainly made a Fulvia estate by grafting on a citroen back end in the 70s.

[Scott]

And attached is a picture of the finished article with a better blue paint job.

Okay, okay you got me; my little joke.

It comes from the site https://www.wir-leben-lancia.de/fulvia-projekt/ where they have created a colour mock-up of a Fulvia estate but, and why I'm writing, actually seem to have embarked on a practical project if you haven't already seen this!

They have an image gallery but this seems a little clunky. You could always go to Google -> Images and put this in the search: https://www.wir-leben-lancia.de/fulvia-projekt/

[SJWhite]

I love it - absolutely must be saved.
Is it just me or are there head-rests in the back?

[SJWhite]

As a general point - this comment is a good one and does frequently occur to me:

'I would spend my time on one that will at least be worth something one day, thereby recouping a lot of what you are going to spend on time and components'.

Have considered it many times, from doing major work on the house to the amount I have spent on the Fulvias.
And would totally agree from the point that spending £30k on a Lancia that is worth £15k it is far 'better' to spend £30k on a £100 Ford Escort Rallye.

It is gradually dawning on me however that I do this and spend this simply because I want to.  And will enjoy the cars for the future.