LANCIA FULVIA COUPE’ 1.3HF (1968)
LANCIA FULVIA COUPE’ 1.3HF (1968)
CHASSIS N. 818.340*001354
ENGINE: V4
DISPLACEMENT: 1298 CM3
POWER: 88 BHP
BODY STYLE: COUPE’
THE START OF THE UNBEATABLE RALLY LANCIAS
In 1963, while the Fulvia saloon started its career, Piero Castagnero was working on the Coupé version. The result was a classic and elegant, yet sporting little car which was to become the darling of sophisticated city ladies as well as strong racing drivers.
With a shorter wheelbase and a lighter and more slippery bodywork, plus stronger engines, the Fulvia Coupé had an immediate advantage on the boxy saloon.
Born in 1965, the Fulvia Coupè had a 1215,78 cm3 and 80 bhp engine and a weight of only 950 kg. It was followed in January 1966 by the Fulvia Coupè HF, with 88 bhp and a simpler and lighter finish, with a weight of just 825 kg.
The engine had grown to 1298,26 cm3, with two carburetors and sportier camshafts, free flow intake and exhaust manifolds, while the body was made with thinner gauge steel, and alluminium doors and bonnets.
This special version, which was destined to race, had a dark red livery with a longitudinal yellow and blue strip. The cockpit was simpler and lighter too.
Only 425 Coupé HF were built, compared to the 20,436 normal Coupés. The price was higher too: 1,845,000 lire, compared to the 1,425,000 of the Berlina GT or the 1,595,000 of the Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior.
The victories of the Fulvia HF are too numerous to mention, let’s just remember the Rally dei Fiori with Cella/Lombardini, class wins at Targa Florio with Cella/Marzi and at the Nurburgring 1000 km with Foschi/Malanca, the Rally di San Martino di Castrozza with Cella/Ramoino, the Turismo and Gran Turismo categories in the Italian Speed Championship with Radec e Foschi, and the Italian Rally Championship with Leo Cella… all this in 1966 alone.
1967 started with a Team Prize at the Montecarlo, plus a Production Touring Class victory and 2°, 4°, e 5° overall, and continued with Rally dei Fiori, Rally di Sardegna, San Martino, Tour de Corse and many more…
In 1968 Pat Moss was second at the Monte, and the list of Fulvia HF wins went on with the Rally dell’Elba, West Alps, Sardinia, Portugal, and who knows how many others.
It is easier to say that the Fulvia Coupé 1.3 HF kick started an irrepeatable season of world successes for Lancia, mainly in Rallies but also on hillclimbs and long distance circuit racing, which gave the factory more glory that it ever had in the previous speed and F1 racing under Gianni Lancia.
This model represents the start of a line of cars like the Stratos, Delta Integrale, 037, S4, which today form the core of Lancia’s Heritage for the youger generations.
The 1.3 HF on offer here today is a very rare and pristine restored example of this small number of special Fulvias.
The vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition but for safety reasons, we advise the purchaser to have it checked over and to replace the fluids, filters and perishable elements.