Lancia Fulvia HF Rally Car (1600)

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, Lancia’s little Fulvia was as intriguing and ambitious as it was innovative, swapping rear-wheel drive for a more advanced front-wheel drive, embracing Lancia’s DOHC V4 engine. Starting with a modest 57bhp but evolving to a sturdy 130bhp, its variants, especially the Coupés, gained fame for their rallying prowess. An undeniably underappreciated icon in the history books of Italian automotive successes.

The Fulvia marked Lancia’s glorious and victorious return to motorsport, carving a niche in the rallying scene, paving the way for an era of dominance in the World Rally Championship far from the spotlight hogged by its successors – the Stratos, O37 and Delta Integrale. It is often forgotten that it was the Fulvia that earned the distinction of winning Lancia’s first World Rally title in 1972.

This particular Fulvia was rebuilt as a rally car in 2017 having started its life as a standard 1.3 (1,300cc). It’s now powered by a 1,600cc engine fitted with twin-Weber 45 carbs, work-spec cams, Arrow conrods, a balanced crank, Mangoletsi intake manifold and carburettor linkage and a ‘Group 4’ manifold/free-flow exhaust, recently set up and dyno-tested by Stanton Motorsports. It’s a Fulvia HF body (steel construction with aluminium bonnet, boot, and doors) registered as a Rallye HF. The interior is as basic as one would expect, stripped back to save weight and fitted with a roll cage, two Recaro bucket seats, racing harnesses and fire extinguishers.

Upon its conversion to rally-spec, the car was maintained by its owner’s in-house mechanic, who carried out all repairs, modifications, servicing and pre-event spanner checks. Recent work included stripping the engine and gearbox for check-overs and refurbing with fresh gaskets.

Cosmetically, as is to be expected with a competition car, there are some dents and imperfections, however, there are no major sightings of rust except for some light surface tarnishing where the paint has chipped.

Lancia-based rally cars have traditionally been expensive, however this little Fulvia seems like tremendous value. It’s a well-raced and ready-to-go example of Lancia’s legendary rally car.

The Iconic Sale at Silverstone Festival 2024 – Competition Car Sale

This is our 14th year as Silverstone Festival’s official auction partner so join us for one of the biggest historic motorsport weekends of the year. VIEWING DAYS: Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th August, 9am to 5.30pm. AUCTIONS: Friday 23rd Competition Car Sale from 2.30pm, Saturday 24th Collectors’ Car Sales from 11am. Sunday 25th Motorcycle Sale from 11am, followed by Legends in Time Retirement Sale from 12pm and Automobilia from 2pm. Use discount code 2024ICAUC10 for 10% off tickets.