What would you change your Fulvia for?

[stanley sweet]

I've had my S2 coupe now for 20 years. I love the look as much as the day I bought it and love the whole history of Lancia, the Fulvia, and the engineering quality. Over that time, I've flicked through mags and looked on dealer sites with an imaginary budget and sometimes get tempted, but in the end there is always something about another car I can't live with. There are just a handful of cars I would consider: Alfa 1750 Spyder, Alfa step front 1300 GT, Fiat 124 Spyder, Alpine 110, Citroen DS.  Even so, The Alfa isn't as perfect from all angles unless you have a Boat Tail, the Alpine looks fantastic but I can't imagine long journeys in it plus no luggage space and the thought of servicing costs on a DS is a bit scary so once again the Fulvia is the perfect car for me- looks great, sounds great, comfortable, you can see out of it, has a big boot. The 124 Spyder also looks good from all angles and has a good boot so is a good contender, but would I risk changing my 1300 Fulvia for a 1300 Alfa? At the moment I can't imagine ever selling it. I'd be interested to hear if other Fulvia owners feel the same and if anyone has found an equally perfect car? No mad suggestions like a 250SWB, keep it around 10K.

[lancialulu]

Stan we can discuss over a few proseccos but in the company of Fulvisti there will only be one answer!!!

Just add to compliment rather than replace.....

Tim

[DavidLaver]

I had a 124 Coupe and I was always replacing ball joints and brakes - and doing so was no pleasure.  It went well right through the rev range and sounded lovely, great gearbox, I liked the dash.  Handling ok (it was a third series).  I'd take a Fulvia over another - unless you REALLY wanted a convertible...even so I'd go an MX5 as well rather than a 124 instead.

David

[peterbaker]

Have to say Im enjoying my 1960 Jaguar MK2, a reminder of what value these represent. Even the 2.4 litre makes great sense as an investment, and they are not slow. Of course, it must be BRG, with wire wheels, Coombs spats, adjustable shockers, overdrive and have the Moss manual gearbox with overdrive. Take away the leather, chrome and wood and that only leaves 10% metal. So British.

[Richard Fridd]

I can't remember the make, nor the model but I would like to find out. My (sports) choice if it is still in the 10K range is the car fielded by 'Car and Car Conversions' magazine in 1974, to contest the small capacity class of, amongst others, the Nurburgring 500 or 1000km sportscar event (GTM, Marcos?). It was featured in their mag, which I tracked down at the September Autojumble a few years ago, but in error didn't buy it thinking it was not the relevant issue. That jumble can be dizzying-but will be there next week on Saturday if poss. Then return via the Guildford events. If not a sportscar, then an Alfa 1900 saloon in poor condition.

[chugga boom]

TR4 is a cracking all rounder and for a british car drives really nice and goes pretty well, hard to find for £10k but they do appear from time to time, 4a is ok when decent drive shafts are fitted , I presume 5's and 6's would be similar but faster, anything before a 4 is pretty much junk to drive 

[stanley sweet]

I must say. like Richard, I have a penchant for small capacity cars. So many beautiful little cars used to compete for the Thermal Index at Le Mans. Tiny engines with slippery bodywork hitting 120mpgh on the straight. To me, that is more of an achievement than putting 7 litres into a GT40. Whenever I go to historic races I'm drawn to the gorgeous little Abarths or Panhards. If I had a monstrous budget, there would be an 1000cc Abarth Periscopo in my garage. I should point out I was asking this out of interest and I'm not deserting the Lancia ranks....

David, I know whay you're saying about the 124 v MX5 and it makes sense, but with Italian cars I think the heart always wins. That's why you now have a Flavia Zagato!

[DavidLaver]

The point is more "an MX5 as well" rather than "a 124 instead" - if the issue was a rag top...

A Beta coupe is an obvious change. A Beta Coupe can be all sorts of cars depending on spec, tune, mods.  You might get lucky and find a good one to your taste within an "as well" budget.

If you like small capacity an Appia is a wonderful thing.  Having sold the B20 it was those more than the obvious Fulvias and Flavias I was drawn to.  If you're hands on I'd trust that a project would be rewarding.

Fond of FIAT 127s?   A ~really~ rare sight here.  Anyone able to say if many are left in Italy?

If you fancied an Italian shopping trip top of my list would be a Fulvia Berlina - again others are better placed to "compare and contrast" and only you can say if the back seat and increased refinement makes a switch from what you have worthwhile.

...or this...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261261628029?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

David

[DavidLaver]

Plenty still in Italy.  This makes a nice "before" and "after" he got hold of grandma's car:

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-127-anni-70-palermo-72267399.htm
http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-127-anni-70-treviso-72234276.htm

David

[stanley sweet]

That Flavia is a great looking car, especially the side view.

[DavidLaver]

Its the one that was at Brooklands for a grand, went through Godin Banks to I believe Julius Thurgood.  Classic Cars of Kent who've done the work I know and like.  I spoke with one of them about it at Brands when Jason had the Aurelia out.  The ebay description and photos ring true.  

If I hadn't shot my bolt...

Who can help for the compare/contrast to a Fulvia Berlina?  

David

[Dilambdaman]

Its the one that was at Brooklands for a grand, went through Godin Banks to I believe Julius Thurgood.  Classic Cars of Kent who've done the work I know and like.  I spoke with one of them about it at Brands when Jason had the Aurelia out.  The ebay description and photos ring true.  

If I hadn't shot my bolt...

Who can help for the compare/contrast to a Fulvia Berlina?  

David

And if I hadn't still got the Fulvia Berlina!!   

Just down the road from me too. Should I go and have a look? 

Robin.

[DavidLaver]

Having a look would be a good excuse to find them.  What was it on the Fulvia I thought they may be able to help with?  If you ask for Graham he'd remember me and the Aurelia (and MG Midget).  If that improves matters or not I wouldn't like to say    

David

[Dilambdaman]

David,

We had thought to visit them when you told us that they have a rolling road to help tune the Fanalone.

Might take it along for a visit.

Robin.

[stanley sweet]

Back from the Fulvia Knights Rally to Mondovi and Turin. I've answered my own question - I wouldn't replace my Fulvia with any of the cars I mentioned. I could fit a load of luggage in, travelled fast and comfortably and I think every pass we climbed we found ourselves held up by a modern car. It handled breathtaking hairpins and autostradas with ease - proving once again to be a great all rounder. I've just remembered a group of us getting frustrated by a dawdling Mercedes SL. At the first chance we changed down and went by in a group - I would think he might still be slightly deaf in his left ear.