New owner of a S1 Fulvia Rallye 1.3S

[Mr Dunamis]

Hello fellow Fulvia owners,

After a gap of 30 years I have at last bought a Fulvia. I first tried in the early 1980's when you could pick up a decent S2 for £350-£400 but there were many neglected examples with the spilts up the front wing denoting sub frame damage and in those days it wasn't worth fixing so they got broken for spares. I didn't seem to be able to find one in my price range so I ended up with a Fiat 124 Sports coupe, which was a lot of fun and ....so quick.

So at last, I have acquired a rather fetching S1 cloaked in Lancia Blue with a rather attractive tan interior which has spent tall of it's life in northern Italy with the exception of the last few months. She is gorgeous and looks as if she is tottering along on stiletto heels with her narrow 145/80 tyres on narrow 14 inch rims.

I have already fixed a couple of 'issues' by sorting out the screen washer pump, for some reason the pipes were on the wrong way round; I also took the opportunity to replace the old brittle tubing with new tubing. There was also an issue with water ingress onto the passenger side floor (LHD) which was rectified by lifting the screen seal and squirting some silicone sealant behind.

My next job will be to drop the sump clean as required and check the main bearing no. 2.

I do like her as she stands but I do want to change a few things; nothing too radical and nothing that cannot be changed back if necessary. I am not into concours and blindly sticking to manufacturer originality. For instance I would like to change the wheels to 14x5.5 Cromodoras but I do not want to fit group 4 arches if you get my drift. I have ordered a carpet set from Omicron in a nice deep blue that will offset the tan of the seats and door card and will be very classy.

It sounds like the exhaust is blowing a bit and may cash it's chips in soon, hopefully not. I would like to upgrade to a more sporty and racy specification perhaps a group 4 system from manifold to the end pipe if such a thing is available for a LHD S1. As funds permit I would like to get a 123 dizzy and either dellortos or webers. Nothing wrong with the solexes at the the moment, touch wood and the dunlop brakes were overhauled with new seals and a refurbished front caliper before I bought her but I will change the brake fluid in the near future, probably before our trip to Italy.

Ah yes, our trip to Italy. No sooner has she arrived on these shores and I am driving her back 'home'. In September we are driving from Manchester to Lake Maggiore via Reims (photo opportunity ), and a couple of high mountain passes and then drop down to the lake at Verbania. We return a couple of weeks later via Belgium to take part in Spa Italia and to drive her round the legendary circuit; looking forward to taking her down and through Eau Rouge, what fun.

I have a parting question does anyone have a set of 14x5.5 Cromodoras that they want to sell or know of a set somewhere; if not are they still commercially available?

[nistri]

These wheels will not fit the S1 hubs unless some modifications are made, Andrea Nistri

[lancialulu]

Omicron do a nice gp4 exhaust which you need to fit (or get them to fit) as it does not use the standard hangers...nice but very loud!

[roddy]

Hello.  Andrea does state correctly that the 5.5" Cromodora wheel (ex Flavia 2000HF) does not fit without modification. Do not be tempted to remove the lips of the lock-rings that hold the bearings in place in the hubs, to get the wheels to fit.  Instead, the inside face of the wheel around the hub centre requires part of the four flanges of each wheel to be carefully machined off, to allow the wheesl to fit over the lock-ring flanges.  The wheel is then centralised on the wheel bolts only, rather than the hub flange and bolts of the o/e fixing.  A 165/70x14 tyre will fit on the 5.5" rim very nicely and gives about the same gearing as the original size of wheel/tyre. In my opinion, also do not be tempted to fit the 6x14" Cromodora from the 1600HF. The centres will still require modification, but the offset is far greater and widens the track considerably.  This destroys the neat nimble feel of the steering and allows tyres to foul the arches.  Tim says the Gp4 exhaust will fit (a correct centre pipe is available for the S1) and allows the engine to breath quite nicely.
However, why not become familiar with the standard car first?  Modifications will alter the insurance premiums, and a limiting factor of the S1 cars can be the brakes - they may not be up to the expectations of an S2 Fulvia, and certainly not that of modern cars and current traffic conditions.

Regards -

[Mr Dunamis]

Thank you all for your comments and advice.

I had a feeling that there would be an ''issue'' with the wheels; never mind, nothing that cannot be overcome. I'll just need to find someone that knows what they are doing so far as S1 Lancia Fulvias.

Worry not, I am in no hurry to change exhausts etc I was thinking out loud as to what my longer term plans are. Interestingly enough I have found that brakes more than adequate so far, far better than I was expecting in view of some of the stuff I have read.

[chriswgawne]

Regarding Dunlop brakes, my experience is that as long as the discs are in good condition, the pads are the correct material (different for servo and non servo cars) and the wheel cylinders & seals are in good condition then the brakes are actually very good. My only criticism is the somewhat 'dead' feel of Dunlop brakes even when everything is in good condition but this does not compromise the efficiency of the braking.
Chris

[Mr Dunamis]

Well I have been busy these past few days sorting out one or two things and getting to know the car.

So far I have changed the oil and filter, got the windscreen washers working (pipes not connected to the pump ), had to put some silicone sealant on the windscreen seal as there was water ingress when it rained. I seem to have stopped the flow. I guess a long term fix is to remove the windscreen and reseal properly; a job for another day. I have also been busy underneath and in the arches (sounds like a cue for a song) scraping off loose underseal and applying fresh underseal. Came across a bit of rot on the front of the rear wheel arch, need to get this fixed soon. I have now replaced the backbox on the exhaust system with a standard S2 part and also noticed that the main box that goes across the car is leaking slightly so I will replace that as well in the next couple of weeks.

I have also driven her a bit, not as much as I would like, but I have to watch the miles due to fixed mileage policy and the long trip to Italy and back.

She takes a bit of getting used to for two reasons. Firstly, not much torque and secondly the max power is produced at 6000rpm so you have to keep her up on the cam if you want to make decent progress; no worries I will get used to her.

She came equipped with a period radio, a Voxson, which I believe may be original equipment back in the day. The radio crackles a lot not much else. The dash has been butchered in fitting this radio, so the lovely Fulvia script has gone. With this in mind I am looking to buy something with a traditional look but with 21st century innards, anyone got any suggestions for a good piece of kit but at a reasonable price. Also, there are no speakers apart from the one in the centre, I don't want to butcher the door cards etc and will probably look to fit some 'pod' type speakers on the parcel shelf, unless anybody has a better solution.

[fay66]

Well I have been busy these past few days sorting out one or two things and getting to know the car.

So far I have changed the oil and filter, got the windscreen washers working (pipes not connected to the pump ), had to put some silicone sealant on the windscreen seal as there was water ingress when it rained. I seem to have stopped the flow. I guess a long term fix is to remove the windscreen and reseal properly; a job for another day. I have also been busy underneath and in the arches (sounds like a cue for a song) scraping off loose underseal and applying fresh underseal. Came across a bit of rot on the front of the rear wheel arch, need to get this fixed soon. I have now replaced the backbox on the exhaust system with a standard S2 part and also noticed that the main box that goes across the car is leaking slightly so I will replace that as well in the next couple of weeks.

I have also driven her a bit, not as much as I would like, but I have to watch the miles due to fixed mileage policy and the long trip to Italy and back.

She takes a bit of getting used to for two reasons. Firstly, not much torque and secondly the max power is produced at 6000rpm so you have to keep her up on the cam if you want to make decent progress; no worries I will get used to her.

She came equipped with a period radio, a Voxson, which I believe may be original equipment back in the day. The radio crackles a lot not much else. The dash has been butchered in fitting this radio, so the lovely Fulvia script has gone. With this in mind I am looking to buy something with a traditional look but with 21st century innards, anyone got any suggestions for a good piece of kit but at a reasonable price. Also, there are no speakers apart from the one in the centre, I don't want to butcher the door cards etc and will probably look to fit some 'pod' type speakers on the parcel shelf, unless anybody has a better solution.

Something wrong there as my old Fulvia 1.3 Rallye Coupe, as well as my current 2c with 1091cc and 71 bhp, pull like a train, and you certainly shouldn't be having to pull 6000rpm to make decent progress
Looking where the rot is I'd have a good look at your subframe rear mountings, these sit just behind where you have the problem.
The Voxson I believe were an option, but I think they were probably a dealer fit rather than a factory one.
The best solution would be to put the speakers under the seats, although you can get pods that would fit under the dash near the front A pillar Pockets.
 Personally I'd be very reluctant to mount anything on the rear shelf.

Brian
8227

[frankxhv773t]

Try these people.

http://vintagecarradio.co.uk/fm--ipod-conversion.html

I think they are the outfit I have seen at the NEC. With car radios going digital this seems the best way to keep the original look whilst ensuring the best modern facilities.

Frank

[DavidLaver]

My favourite solution is Julian Wood's.  He fitted out a small suitcase with an amp, speaker and battery to have on the back seat.

Brian has a very neat little amp for an ipod feed hidden away.  Photo on page ten, 4th May 2014 on thread below:

http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6204.135

Quite inexpensive.  I wonder if there are similar ones that would have a Bluetooth interface.

David

[nistri]

"not much torque and secondly the max power is produced at 6000rpm so you have to keep her up on the cam if you want to make decent progress": I agree with Brian's comments. It seems likely your engine is out of tune. Check ignition timing and even valve timing. Good luck, Andrea

[Mr Dunamis]

Thank you so much for all of your responses.

Lots of food for thought. I think on the radio option I would like to go back to the original look with the gorgeous Fulvia script. I know you can get the script but the blanking panel is a different kettle of fish. A bit of creative thought needed here. Jury still out on this one at the moment.

Speaking of being creative I have ordered some mahogany veneer to refurbish my dashboard as the existing veneer is cracked and peeling off. Whilst I do not mind the look in keeping with the age of the car the dash just looks plain scruffy and this looks like it could be an easy improvement; ha! time will tell.

I think I gave the impression that she was wheezing a bit and was rather geriatric. Nothing could be further from the truth. Whilst not as fast as my 2.0L Alfa Bertone coupe, for obvious reasons, she is quite sprightly. What I was commenting on was that according to the ''book'' max power is only reached at 6000rpm and you do have to keep her revving, not at 6000 all the time, or the power drops off quite significantly.

She seems quite solid around the sub frame area in spite of the hole in the rear wheel arch. I used the sub frame mount directly underneath where the rot is to jack the car up and nothing untoward happened. However, I am having the area investigated as I want to work done properly.

[stanley sweet]

When I bought mine the Fulvia script was missing and it was just the plastic with hacked out holes for the radio. I bought the script (found mine at the Silverstone Classis about 20 years ago but they are available from the usual specialists and ebay) and then bought some plastic card. This is used by modellers/architects etc for scratch building. It comes in a wide range of thicknesses. Can't remember the thickness I used but obviously go for a nice thin one. I did this a long time ago but I think I put masking tape over the area, cut it to shape carefully with a scalpel, lifted it off and stuck it onto the plastic card. I cut it out then sprayed it a matt black but it just had the right plasticky sheen. I'd also worked out and drilled the holes for the script. Then I just placed it on with double sided tape. If you go this route, the secret with plastic card is not to try and cut right through it. Just give it a couple of scores, then snap the excess off to give a nice clean edge. Even works on the curves (helps if you do some scores radiating out) .

As far as peak power at 6000rpm is concerned that is true but shouldn't affect things too much on the road. When I was sprinting mine someone much more knowledgeable than me in my motor club who ran a Formula Renault team asked me what the rev limit was. I said 6750. He asked where peak power was and I said 6000. He said then don't waste time trying to reach 6750 because nothing is happening and change up at 6000. He said trying to achieve the extra few revs was a waste of time and the lap time would be reduced by changing earlier. And he was right..........

[fay66]

Try the Biscaretti Museum in Turin or Cavlitto for the script, I saw them in the Biscaretti about 10 years ago but I suspect they're still available.

Brian
8227

[Mr Dunamis]

Thank you for the ideas. I have had a gander on EBay and there are multiple suppliers of black PVC and it's cheap too boot. I'll check the thickness and get some delivered. If it looks like a dogs dinner at least it won't have cost a lot of money.

I am off to the Biscaretti Museum in September so i'll check out their supplies in person. Although there is a supplier on EBay. What did we/I do before EBay?