In praise of the Fulvia

[stanley sweet]

I was invited to a lunch yesterday to meet a few people with 'vehicle anciens' from neighbouring Burgundy. Not sure of the exact temperature except it was extremely hot. It was a nice 50 minute drive and as I was bowling along with my window half down I realised there wasn't a bead of sweat on me. I've noticed this many times, that the Fulvia coupe remains nice and cool travelling in hot weather. I've no idea why, as it has a large glass area. I was comfy in my Sparco seat and looked around at the nice dash etc and thought, 'This really is the perfect car'. For me, anyway. It looks great, has a lovely engine, handles well and doesn't use ridiculous amounts of fuel. It's fits my 6' 1" height inside but is small enough overall to thread through small gaps. This is why, as I've mentioned before, I can never think of an equal substitute which is why I have now had it for 24 years. It's going in for it's pre-Controle Technique checkover soon and I suppose the only downside these days is the price of some parts. The 'vehicles anciens' gathering wasn't as big as I'd expected with a 911, a gorgeous early 911S, Panhard 24CT and what I thought was a Caterham in 'Prisoner' scheme but turned out to be made by the French comany Marcadier who I've only known before as making little sports cars in the past. A bit of a French TVR I suppose.

[DavidLaver]

A translation of the club pages:

https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://www.marcadier.club/&prev=search

[stanley sweet]

David, my description of a 'French TVR' probably wasn't quite right. They made some serious racers. More like a French Lotus if anything. There's a big local car show this weekend and a gullwinged mid-engined Marcadier usually turns up. While I was arranging the controle technique appointment yesterday the garage owner said 'Come and look at this'. Just outside was a mint Alpine 110 with the big arches etc in the classic metallic blue. 'Superb' I said but he replied 'I prefer yours. The Alpine is such a squeeze to get into.". I remember writing on this forum that there are a handful of cars that always appeal to me but each has a problem compared to the Fulvia. The Alpine 110 was one. A beautiful and capable car but would I like to do a long tour in one like the Fulvia Knights to Turin? Not really. So the search for a true Fulvia equivalent goes on.

[fay66]

David, my description of a 'French TVR' probably wasn't quite right. They made some serious racers. More like a French Lotus if anything. There's a big local car show this weekend and a gullwinged mid-engined Marcadier usually turns up. While I was arranging the controle technique appointment yesterday the garage owner said 'Come and look at this'. Just outside was a mint Alpine 110 with the big arches etc in the classic metallic blue. 'Superb' I said but he replied 'I prefer yours. The Alpine is such a squeeze to get into.". I remember writing on this forum that there are a handful of cars that always appeal to me but each has a problem compared to the Fulvia. The Alpine 110 was one. A beautiful and capable car but would I like to do a long tour in one like the Fulvia Knights to Turin? Not really. So the search for a true Fulvia equivalent goes on.

Try a Fulvia Berlina Stan
Brian
8227

[stanley sweet]

Brian, if I had the space and cash I would definitely have one after reading many glowing reports and I still remember the quality feel of yours when I had a lift in it in Mondovi. Be ideal when I wanted to carry more than one other person. I'm coming to the conclusion that the closest thing to a Fulvia coupe is a..............................Fulvia coupe. The Alfa Bertone for instance is very nice but I am so used to the safety of being pulled through curves with FWD that I'd probably wrap it round a tree on a wet road.

[Scott]

Some very nice diction. Reminds me why I should get my Fulvia out more often!

The BMW 3.0CSL has echoes of the Fulvia in the slim pillars / large glass area you like. Silly money though.
I've always had a soft spot for the Gilbern Invader ... but maybe a little rudimentary.
If having a classic that is fun, stylish, nippy, unique and not-crazy-money are criteria then the Fulvia is hard to beat. But then maybe I'm a bit biased... 

[stanley sweet]

The CSL is a gorgeous car but apart from prices as you mention, it comes with heavier fuel use and whenever I've read an article about them head gasket problems seem to come up. Another car on my list is the Alfa Spider (or 124 Spider) and every Spring my thoughts turn to driving along on a warm day, hood down. Except I have learned to ignore these thoughts now. Because those Spring days with a perfect temperature turn into the summer days we're having at the moment. I climbed into my Lybra yesterday and outside temperature indicated was 42 degrees, dropping to a relatively nippy 38 once on the move. The 60mph wind would feel great in the Alfa but you'd still be burning to a crisp. So I've decided that the number of times I would genuinely use one comfortably isn't worth giving up trusty 'Luciano'. But of course there is one in my fantasy garage alongside the Fulvia (and the Fulvia Berline, and the Alpine 110, and the Citroen DS, and the Traction Avant, not forgetting the Flaminia Berline, Flavia coupe etc).

[Lapsed Cesare Ferrari]

Stanley's first post mentions the Panhard 24CT. Surely that is the closest thing to a Fulvia coupe alternative? I won't drone on about why. If anyone is interested, but does not know about the Panhard, look it up!
Cesare

[Scott]

Hi Cesare - Hadn't come across the Panhard before and I can see why you've picked it out as it has definite similarities in certain areas but to my eyes, certainly from the front, it's not nearly as pleasing as the Fulvia's design. And with only 42hp ... or 50 if you push the boat out ... I'd want a little more power!
It actually reminded me of the NSU Ro80 ... perhaps another candidate for a roomier, slightly quirky, alternative to the Fulvia!

Before I bought my Lancia all those years ago I'd actually narrowed my choices down to three cars: a Fiat 124 Spider, Alfa Romeo GT Junior ... or Lancia Fulvia Coupé. Back then (and, gosh, it must be nearly 25 years!) various things steered me towards the Fulvia and I haven't regretted it. My now wishlist of classic cars would need a lottery win and when I looked back at some old classic car magazines  recently and see what things were worth, say, 20 years ago versus the asking prices nowadays it's quite shocking. Too many now bought for 'investment' and never used so it's always good to see cherished, but used, classics on the road.

[stanley sweet]

The Panhard 24Ct is a lovely little car with superb engineering. There are always a few at the local show and the engine is hung out front on a subframe like an aircraft from memory. Very distinctive looks too. I'm not sure what the spares situation is like with them. Whereas looking at one of the Italian Fulvia specialist recently it seems more parts become available almost month by month. Not a 24CT, but a DB Panhard I saw at the Dijon Historic a few years ago. The hubs on these Panhards are the finned brake drums.

[DavidLaver]

That Panhard is a fantastic car - until there's a hill to climb...

[DavidLaver]

It reminds me of an early Saab.

[SanRemo78]

The rear view of the Panhard reminds me of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale! And that early Saab is so sleek from the back! Shame about the front view.....

http://oldconceptcars.com/wp-content/uploads/saab_92_prototype_ursaab_4.jpg

[davidwheeler]

To get back to the Fulvia....    I had a 1300 coupe and now run a 1600 Sport among other cars.  A fine car and brisk but the steering does not match that of the sliding pillar cars being low-geared, heavy and vague even with the tyres pumped up to 30psi.    Lambdas are great but a bit heavy and pretty noisy - wonderful on French roads but they crash and clatter on our native cart tracks.   The best of all Lancias may well be the Aprilia with its feather light precise steering effortless high speed cruising and superb road holding though I remember my B20 series III with a mixture of affection and alarm.   The Aprilia was the favourite of a number of racing drivers and also Jenks as I remember.

[nthomas1]

Here's Jenks echoing your comments David.