Fulvia S2 Berlina KPD 569K

[Dilambdaman]

Read of Richard Fridd's ownership from whom I bought KPD 569K here http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5143.0

I've done a fair few miles now and nothing has given me second thoughts about having bought it. Well, maybe the complete lack of a functioning heater and the draft which howls up through the non existent door bottoms is a tadd trying. Otherwise I'm loving getting reacquainted with a S2 Berlina after some 20 years. The last one was christened by my kids as 'The Pig' on account of it being pig ugly in their eyes and the fact that it was painted a mix of faded green cellulose and grey primer. However, it served them well whilst in further education, their college friends being totally won over when they realized just how many of them could be jammed in and travel in comfort.

So, the journey has begun to complete Richard's good work on the refurbishment in time for Fulvia 50th. One of the first jobs was to see if I could find a pair of original front seats and Richard suggested that I try Peter Pasquale. Peter did indeed have a pair in very good condition which incredibly were from the same scrapped car as the back seat in mine. However, they were cream and the back seat has been painted black. So, cream front seats, black back seats and blue door cards. Which way to go? Decision made when Peter produced the cream door cards so just the rear seat to re-colour.

Along with the door skins needing replacement the rear valance is in a bit of a state but Italian Ebay turned up an unused original equipment rear panel at a not exorbitant price. Carriage was reasonable too - just hope it turns up OK!

Jonathan and I have had it up on the ramp and all looks to be fine underneath and also it drives OK so fairly confidant about the impending MOT on Thursday.

Robin.

[DavidLaver]

Well done with the valance.  When I came oh-so-close to buying it I found doors in the correct colour on one of the Italian sites.  Worth a look on Subito and AutoScout.  Perhaps having found the item get them to list it with a buy-it-now on ebay to complete the transaction.

I've heard good things of the interior paints, but is it possible to get from black to cream?   I'd be playing safe and going to black.  If you get it all a nice clean cream I'm going to be impressed.

As for the heater spring is almost upon us and when summer comes you'll be glad of the extra ventilation. 

As an aside do they have heated rear screens?

David

[Dilambdaman]

Hi David,

Doors we reckon we can repair and in truth the car deserves a re-spray.

These people ( http://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/index.php) who's products Richard used to black the seats reckon that black to cream is not a problem. So, having been offered  the original door cards (one still with its factory plastic cover intact) that go with the seats it seems to make sense to go for a cream interior which will look good with the Lancia Blue body colour.

Dilambdawoman, having experienced Modestine's cosy interior was not at all impressed with having to be wrapped in a blanket for a 40 mile round trip on Sunday last and if there is to be any hope of keeping the Berlina something will have to be done.

40 years ago I remember taking my father to and from our business premises some 20 miles each way in a S1 Fulvia Sport and he bought a sleeping bag which he used to climb into for the journey! How times have changed.

Robin.

[chriswgawne]

Our S1 Fulvia GTE Berlina has a really super heater so maybe you have blockages, sticky water valve or suchlike. Worth a proper look I reckon as they can work efficiently.
Chris

[fay66]

Our S1 Fulvia GTE Berlina has a really super heater so maybe you have blockages, sticky water valve or suchlike. Worth a proper look I reckon as they can work efficiently.
Chris

Chris,
Never made mine work with two complete rebuilds including  a new valve innards and heater matrix rebuilt with a recore, and great attention paid to make sure there were no leakages in the airbox
It's also such a pain to get out I'm not really tempted to have another go.

Brian
8227

[DavidLaver]

Chris - any chance of some pictures of your new toy or "the big reveal" at Goodwood?

Robin - space to hang some generic heater under the dash?  The priority MUST be goodwill indoors so you can keep it.

David

[chriswgawne]

David,
I posted a few photos of our GTE when wet and dirty on a dull day in 'Fulvia Spotters Guide...' a couple of weeks ago.
Chris.

[DavidLaver]

Ohhhhh that's going to take some beating for my "car of the day" at Goodwood.

Its a colour combo I like.  RHD?!!!?

In terms of a spotters guide if its dark green its a GTE, dark blue a 2C

David

[Dilambdaman]

MOT on Thursday last and failed on a couple of previous non continuous weld repairs and a hole in the back of the rear nearside chassis. Repaired today and back for certificate on Monday.

Had a good look at the door skins today and not as bad as at first thought. Couple of days welding should sort it.

Robin.

[simonandjuliet]

"Had a good look at the door skins today and not as bad as at first thought. Couple of days welding should sort it."

 - After the Fanalone , I would have thought you'd had enough of welding !

[DavidLaver]

I think its more a case of after that one anything else looks like a day off.

David

[Dilambdaman]

OK, she will be at Goodwood on Saturday. But, we've been unable to do any of the work on her we had hoped to (can't imagine why!) so she's still looking a bit sad. 

However, just spoken to Margaret and Tony and Shelley Seiler at the Fulvia 50 hotel and she performed brilliantly on the journey over even showing impeccable manners dealing with the M25 at it's worst.

Please be kind to her on the event we will get the bodywork sorted out as soon as we get over the stress of the Fanalone.

Robin.

[Richard Fridd]

Viva Berlina! Looking forward to seeing the trusty car tomorrow. Will it be on the track in addition to the parade? And well done with the Fanalone Robin

[Dilambdaman]

Tony and Shelley delivered her back yesterday having covered almost 1000 miles in the two weeks including a trip to visit friends in North Yorkshire. She ran faultlessly marred only by a puncture. Tony has a collection of Lancia in South Africa including Integrale, Flaminia and Fanalone but was full of praise for this scruffy S2 Berlina. In his words, "What a joy, seems to run on fresh air!"

So, 1500 trouble free miles to date and with a new MOT, what to do next? The original plan was to replace the front seats with originals (done), re-skin the doors, repair the front and rear valances, respray and sell on. However,  if we go that far we will have spent well in excess of what she will be worth. So, financially not viable. On the other hand we love her to bits and could be tempted to keep her (Margaret often takes her out instead of her Alfa 156!) and carry out the repairs gradually, even maybe doing the painting ourselves. But, do I want another project?!

Robin.

Maybe sell her on as she is to someone who wants an entry level Lancia and is prepared to take on a rolling restoration. Or perhaps a Lancia for the winter when you don't want to take your pride and joy out? Any takers out there?

Robin.

[rogerelias]

Just enjoy it as it is, years ago we didn't give a s**t what it looked like, but just enjoyed them