Why The 1969 Lancia Fulvia Coupe Is The Most Beautiful Car In The World

"Road Magazine" (roadmag) 05/25/2014 at 10:43 • Filed to: Lancia Fulvia, Review, Lancia

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I happen to think that the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Fulvia is the most beautiful car ever made and I tend to put my fingers in my ears and sing if people disagree with me. So with the styling of the car indisputable, the only thing I had left to do was answer the nagging question I've had in my mind; does it drive as good as it looks?

Thankfully, my buddy Jamie at Targa Florio Classics was willing to let me find out just what it was like to drive a Lancia Fulvia. He handed me the opportunity to drive the car above, a 1969 Series One Rallye, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! It's not a standard Lancia Fulvia setup, having been modified with mechanical parts shared with it's sportier relation- the Fulvia HF, to provide a theatrical rally feel. Truth be told, Jamie can tell you about the mechanical ins and outs far better than I ever could, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , he'd be very happy to go into more detail with you personally. What I'm best at is telling you about my experience, and how this car really feels.

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There is a sense of character and theatre surrounding the Lancia Fulvia that begins as soon as you set eyes on it. This one sat there in the dim light waiting for it's chance to go outside, that unmistakable Italian front end peering out from the back of the garage. On approach, there was a scent. Anybody over the age of 20 will recognize that scent. It was of oil and petrol, a scent that manufacturers have slowly sealed well within the sarcophagus-like refinement of the modern car. When that scent hit my nose, I was instantly taken back to my childhood. The origins of my love of cars.

You have to be a real enthusiast to appreciate what a powerful sensation that is. Then there is that remarkable Lancia Fulvia styling that seems to ooze such an effortless form of style from its simple yet elegant lines. As I've said before, it's all about the proportion and you are really absorbed into the character of the car when you are in its presence.

Having had a good look around whilst chatting with Jamie, I was now securely fastened to a Sparco race seat by an excellent Sabelt four-point harness, and the Lancia Fulvia was fired up. This one is louder than a standard Fulvia thanks to its racing side exit exhausts and the sounds, smells, and sensations were all coming through the car to reach me. It was time to take her on the road. As a driver less experienced with classic cars, the first thing you notice is just how alive everything is. You're suddenly greeted with far more sounds and vibrations than you are otherwise used to, and it seems every part of the car seems to be talking to you in some way.

Sensation in this car is everything, but it's not an uncomfortable experience. It's a simple matter of adjusting to the information being received. The accelerator pedal is incredibly sensitive, raring to go, and full of feel, whilst the brakes are uncertain and need far more time to be allowed to do their job. To change gear you throw a long gear lever into any of the four forward options that you have, and however quickly you try to change, you never feel like you've rushed the car. Then again, this isn't a car to rush in. Whatever speed you're doing, you're having infinitely more fun than you would be in a modern car.

It all feels very fast, yet you aren't going that fast. The theatrics of the V4 engine and the sporty exhaust make it all much more exciting than it would be at this speed in a modern car, but the real key is within the steering. Every little crack and crevice within the surface of the road is fed to your hands through the steering wheel, and given time I think I'd find it difficult to go back to anything else. After driving a Lancia Fulvia, you'll quickly become aware of just how numb a modern car really can be.

Let's summarize by considering this; you can own a classic 1960's Italian coupe with a terrific V4 engine and a solid track record of mechanical reliability for £12,000. Not only that, it's the most beautiful car in the world. A Lancia Fulvia equipped for rally can be converted into a daily driver by an expert without any difficulty whatsoever, and then you own something just as special as just about anything else found on the road today.

It isn't even that expensive to run, as a result of that small 1.3l engine and at this age is tax exempt. In the future, I'm hoping we can go back up to visit Targa Florio Classics and put some more of Jamie's wonderful classic Italian cars to the test, but whatever we may drive in the future, it's going to be incredibly hard to top this. At least now we finally know, the Lancia Fulvia drives just as good as it looks.

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tapzz > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 10:49

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Though there is tough competition, I won't disagree with your assessment of the Fulvia coupé's looks. I have to say, though, that I think those 'beautiful and simple lines' work best as unadorned and stock as possible. This is perfection to me:

GhostZ > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 10:51

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As pretty as the sun setting over Charlize Theron.

ZabiakFero > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 12:00

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I can not agree, but I will respect your opinion sir. we all have quirks

Doug Nash > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 12:00

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Ben C > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 12:06

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I agree with you. So much.

MTY85 > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 12:17

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It's a good looking car, but why did you choose an example with 500 headlights?

Vin > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 12:22

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It's a beautiful car ruined by that busy mess of lights upfront.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > MTY85 05/25/2014 at 12:28

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This is the car I was invited to drive, and when you get invited to drive a Lancia Fulvia you're not too picky. Also, those are Cibie rally headlights. They're awesome, so hush.

biturboism, the cult > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 12:33

10

Less is more! Remove these and it'd be perfection...

KirkyV > MTY85 05/25/2014 at 12:34

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It's a rally car; it ought to have rally lights. Honestly, I actually think it looks better that way.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > biturboism, the cult 05/25/2014 at 12:34

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Easy, Cibie's can be removed without a problem. Keep them in the garage for when you want to rally though!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Vin 05/25/2014 at 12:36

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Competition lights are easily removed.

http://www.valeoservice.com/html/unitedkin…

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > ZabiakFero 05/25/2014 at 12:37

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Thank you! I'd only put my fingers in my ears anyway haha! ;)

biturboism, the cult > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 05/25/2014 at 12:42

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Nice! (I forgot that rally lights that are not on a light pod can be removed too)

And, yes, this is a rally Prius I. With a rally lights pod.

AMCFan > Doug Nash 05/25/2014 at 12:50

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gorgeous Corvair

Bobby Ang > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 12:54

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Just so happen a VW looked sexier and prettier.

bobrayner > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 13:02

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Just look at that line along the flank, and how it integrates with the flat surface of the bonnet and bootlid. It makes the whole body of the car seem graceful and muscular and organic, yet at the same time it's hewn from solid metal.

Other makers have spent years - and millions - trying to do that with increasingly complex bone-lines and fussy bodywork. Lancia achieved it with one stroke of a pen. Here's a pic of a BMW E92 trying to achieve the same effect - and looking like it's trying too hard:

Jared Glentz > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 13:07

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MTY85 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 05/25/2014 at 13:28

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I see at least four of these every trip to Starbucks, I don't know where YOU live.

Loping Camshaft > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 13:28

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I agree it's absolutely beautiful, but front wheel drive? I. Just. Can't.

I'd take it's RWD cousin the Alfa GTA, which looks similar. There's several variations and I love them all, even though I doubt I could comfortably drive one.

osmosis1234 > biturboism, the cult 05/25/2014 at 13:50

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I could beat a rally Prius..Just wait until dark and the lights drain the battery!!!! Simples.

kyle242gt > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 14:04

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Dat gap

1UZ > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 14:04

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Reminds me of this, except this is better looking.

4age20vsilvertop > kyle242gt 05/25/2014 at 14:18

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Because Rally Car.

Pdb > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 14:31

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Driving my 72 GTV is the same experience. I rarely go over 60 mph, but every drive I imagine myself on the Targa Florio! The sounds, the smells! The crunching gears. A real work-out trying to park it (no power steering), but the steering is so alive when the car is moving, all other cars seem like lifeless armchairs. It's ALSO the most beautiful car in the world.

Me getting the groceries:

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TheRallyStache > biturboism, the cult 05/25/2014 at 14:35

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Well, I guess props for the determination...what class of which organizing body did you run in?

Pdb > Pdb 05/25/2014 at 14:36

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More on topic, here's a Fulvia I spotted in Paris:

DoubleClutchingAutomatic > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 14:52

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That exhaust note... Oh that exhaust note.

iamstucklockedout > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 15:21

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V4!

I think the zagato's prettier

vc-10 > tapzz 05/25/2014 at 15:27

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I think I just had a crisis.

MassiveTurboLag > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 15:36

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It looks like a Soviet block car. Remove the Lancia badge and it will be mistaken for a Lada.

Maxaxle > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 15:41

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I'm sorry, but I really don't get it. Sure, the front of the car is great, but the back just doesn't follow through.

biturboism, the cult > TheRallyStache 05/25/2014 at 15:57

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Oh, That's not me, this is just a photo from google... I wish I had the money, man! Even a Prius is a dream considering my current financial situation...

ohnobeesafraidofbees > 1UZ 05/25/2014 at 16:01

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Exactly what I was thinking. I wonder if "Silvia" was chosen for its similarity to "Fulvia".

Bueller > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 17:28

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I knew that Lancia was doomed as a brand when the new Fulvia was nixed in 2004 by Fiat's newly appointed CEO, Sergio Marchione.

Reborn Pyrrhic > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 17:33

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There is something really amiss with newer cars and their lack of those traditional automotive scents: oil and fuel, as you most eloquently describe. It's something that lovers of new cars will never understand: my wife being one of them, she doesn't get why I always choose older cars for daily drivers. Old cars are best.

Angrybears > biturboism, the cult 05/25/2014 at 19:38

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They look like an STD for a car...

4thwall > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 19:52

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Beautiful

stoke > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 20:47

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It's extremely pretty, but not beautiful. Beauty is reserved for the exotic and dramatic. That formal roofline, those stubby proportions, they're just too common to be beautiful. The same general look is shared by the Datsun 510 and Fiat 124 of the same era - both straightforward mass-marked cars.

Now an Alfa Tip0 33 Stradale, on the other hand...

Charles M. Taylor > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 20:54

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lichimon > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 21:44

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I want to lick it like a popsicle up and down.

FromCanadaWithLove > Road Magazine 05/25/2014 at 23:20

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This might be the most offensive thing to say, but I think the BMW E9 is better looking. The triangular rear quarter window doesn't flow very nicely, the headlights are too low, and I'm not nuts about the bulge in the hood. I also find the back too 'lifted'.

It's a very, very pretty car, but I don't think it's "The Most Beautiful Car In The World." IMO, that would go to the BMW 3.0 CSL, Alfa Romeo Giulia, or early Aston Martin V8s.

Baskingshark > Road Magazine 05/26/2014 at 00:13

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I used to have one of these and it's still probably my favorite of all my cars. Mine was a 1973 S3 1.3, which was the model that was brought out after Fiat bought Lancia for one lira in 1969 (it came with debts of several million lira), threw up their hands in horror at how expensive Lancias were to produce and "Fiatised" the car with lots of parts-bin interior trim etc. Whatever, it still had aluminum dashboard knobs and wood dash, plus the 5-speed gearbox with dogleg first. The 1.3S was supposed to be a stop-gap until the Beta Coupe took over, but it kept selling so well that it was produced alongside the Beta all the way to 1977.

The 4-wheel disc brakes on mine were very sharp and even though it was only the 1.3, with twin carbs it was fast. One night I raced an E36 3-Series and won, even though I was lazy and had driven off with the choke out so it drank half the tank in the process.

The only real downside to it was that the steering was heavy and slow due to the FWD. Thanks to the torque-steer, however, it would reverse itself round corners. All you had to do was tilt the wheel to whichever side you wanted to go, let go and let the clutch out slowly....

FWIW, I bought it after my search for an affordable 105-series Alfa coupe that wasn't a rot box proved fruitless. I still think the Alfa is more classically beautiful, but the Fulvia is more... interesting. It's like one of those very compelling women who aren't classically, generically pretty, but somehow you still find them beautiful and can't quite figure out why because they shouldn't be. But are.

Mine was a UK-market RHD car, so it had the raised outer headlamps like this one:

Mine was red and didn't have the sunroof.

Baskingshark > Baskingshark 05/26/2014 at 00:29

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Tried to edit but Kinja not playing ball so replying to myself to say:

It was red and didn't have the sunroof. I should also add that it was in good condition but far from perfect and from about 1997-2000 it was my daily driver before being put into storage and used in the summers from about 2001-2003 when I moved abroad and came back on holiday. During that time it never broke down once, although the bottom of the petrol tank did rust through (I had been warned the tank had rust when I bought it and came down one morning to find it sitting in a pool of gas) which necessitated hunting for a replacement from a scrap car as they weren't available off the shelf. (I got lucky and found one quite fast but was told that if I hadn't done so, I should use an MG Midget tank and get a special bracket made to fit it in place.)

herald > Road Magazine 05/26/2014 at 00:32

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What a glorious car in a glorious color!

picoFarad > Road Magazine 05/26/2014 at 01:06

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i see a corvair

Shiftright > Angrybears 05/26/2014 at 04:11

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??

Shiftright > biturboism, the cult 05/26/2014 at 04:11

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NEVER!! MOAR RALLY LIGHTS!!!

Tom > Road Magazine 05/26/2014 at 06:58

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This example should have remained closer to stock. It is too high in the rear, the flares, also not stock on the 1,3 should be painted black or at least match the body colour. And lose the lights. Without a roll cage - no one is going rallying. Ideally Targa Florio should have taken you out in a 1,6hf which I believe they have in their possession.

Any Fulvia is a great drive, whether cruising around, or as I prefer - being driven hard and thrown around tight corners. Hello, It's a Lancia! If the marques proven rally history doesn't say something to you about their engineering, then you need to remove the cotton wool from your ears. I guarantee you on twisty circuit a 1,6hf will whip the daylights out of all the offending examples cited in the comment section by people who obviously have never driven one. FWD whingers have also never given a fulvia a test drive. On everyday suburban and urban streets, in corners I can out drive most modern cars, and leave most 70s 80s or 90s cars under 2lts behind in a flash. Who ever said the steering in a fulvia is heavy - check your vacuum assist is connected brother! Ok - heavy when parking compared to a new car, but when driving the steering is ultra responsive and nothing overly strenious for it's vintage. It is a 900kg car...

As for looks, each to their own. Personally I find it much more appealing than an alfa of similar vintage, But if you think being RHD or smaller engined makes it a lesser car - then you have totally underestimated the Fulvia.

Radioactive_Lego > Road Magazine 05/26/2014 at 07:12

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Close. Right country. Right timeframe. Wrong company. The 196X-197X Alphas were the prettiest lil things. Ever.

http://bringatrailer.com/thats-an-older…

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > MTY85 05/26/2014 at 08:58

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There are only 172 of these cars left in the UK. I don't know how many there are in America but I highly doubt you see "at least four" of these every time you travel to Starbucks. I gave you an answer to my question, and a light-hearted response to go along with it. Don't get shirty with me, I don't respond well to it.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Loping Camshaft 05/26/2014 at 09:07

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Love those. We actually took the Fulvia out on the road with a GTA-m race car.

The proportions aren't quite correct on the front end of the GTA though, the outer raised headlights on the Fulvia just make me swoon. I'd not say no to either though!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Reborn Pyrrhic 05/26/2014 at 09:09

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The scents evoke memories and feelings from days gone by. They take your mind somewhere. I think I read somewhere once that smell is the most evocative of all of our senses.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Pdb 05/26/2014 at 09:10

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Fantastic picture! Great description of what it's like to drive a car like this too. Glad you enjoy it!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Pdb 05/26/2014 at 09:11

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Ahh Paris... so many bad memories. I was lost around streets like that for over nine hours. No sat nav or direction and central Paris is a terrible idea.

Lovely Fulvia though!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > bobrayner 05/26/2014 at 09:13

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Quite. It really is a remarkable and beautiful design, it's absolutely shocking to me that these cars are not worth more than what they are.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom 05/26/2014 at 09:16

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This car was chosen because of a few mechanical reasons and as a series one, it's a great place to start. It probably will have some changes done to it by the next owner, Targa will advise on which make the better option but paint and Campagnola wheels are almost certainly on that list.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Bobby Ang 05/26/2014 at 09:16

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Not a chance!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > MassiveTurboLag 05/26/2014 at 09:17

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Would you like me to make you an appointment at the opticians?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > iamstucklockedout 05/26/2014 at 09:18

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You see, I think Zagato ruined it when they got their hands on it. But there we go, design is so personal!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Road Magazine 05/26/2014 at 09:20

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If anybody would like to see more classic reviews just let me or @RoadMagazineUK know, and I'll do my best to source cars and get them out. I can't make promises obviously, as these things are pretty special, but I'll sure give it a go.

J.

bobrayner > Loping Camshaft 05/26/2014 at 09:32

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MassiveTurboLag > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 05/26/2014 at 12:20

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Yes because it singed my retina.

1UZ > ohnobeesafraidofbees 05/26/2014 at 15:22

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could very well be.. but early Nissan coupe's are some of the most gorgeously designed cars ever. Even though most of them are smaller, sports car versions of american muscle design, but what's wrong with that?

Saracen > Loping Camshaft 05/26/2014 at 18:35

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There are FWD cars, and then there's the Fulvia. it won rallies FFS, so who cares.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Road Magazine 05/26/2014 at 19:10

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I agree with you completely. Aesthetically and mechanically, it's just perfectly formed. From each and every line on its body, to the clockwork-clever little V4, to the FWD when FWD was what you won rallies with. Perfect.

Very jealous :)

Loping Camshaft > Saracen 05/26/2014 at 19:12

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Sure and there have been other successful FWD rally cars too. But wouldn't it be better if it was RWD? That's kinda what the GTA is.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/26/2014 at 19:14

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I'm definitely going to have to buy one at some point. They're pretty near to perfect for me.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 05/26/2014 at 19:23

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Same. They're on my 'must own' list.

I'm still annoyed that I didn't pick up the one I found for £1500 a couple of years back. The market for them has skyrocketed.

Saying that, it would probably have got crushed by the tree in place of my Fiat, so maybe not so bad after all.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Loping Camshaft 05/26/2014 at 19:24

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Not necessarily, I think because it's FWD it's probably a bit better suited to being an everyday car. Many of the rear-wheel drive Alfa's (especially if race or rally tuned) can be a bit tail happy believe it or not, and in these cars it's all down to you.

I personally don't mind, hopefully I'll get to drive one of the rear-wheel drive cars soon and get another write up done, if I detect anything interesting I'll make sure I write about it!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 05/26/2014 at 19:27

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Jamie at Targa is very good, has all the right contacts in place for parts and builds and really knows his stuff, if the time ever comes I'd really recommend dropping him a line.

They really are terrific cars to drive, so full of feeling and life. It's a wonderful experience, I can't wait until I get my own!

Tom > MassiveTurboLag 05/26/2014 at 21:59

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Modern Porsche driver - enough said! Dime a dozen, too scared to buy something classic or original. I could buy 3 amazing classics for the price of the model in your avatar.

You know what they say about Porsche owners...

Tom > Loping Camshaft 05/26/2014 at 22:00

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have you driven a fulvia?

Tom > MTY85 05/26/2014 at 22:04

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Do you see other things too... Dead people?

MassiveTurboLag > Tom 05/26/2014 at 23:30

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I don't because I'm not one. But if I were I definitely wouldn't be concerned what people say about my cock. Furthermore, I like classic cars and they are more beautiful than modern ones but that Lancia is woefully bland. Not simple or pure just plain vanilla.

burdickjp > Loping Camshaft 05/26/2014 at 23:30

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Beautiful car.

Headlights. Twin cam. Gorgeous.

Tom > MassiveTurboLag 05/27/2014 at 00:58

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That would be the first time ever I have heard or read someone label the fulvia 'a woefully bland car'! I'd get if you just don't like it - but bland!!! Wow It speaks volumes for your sense of aesthetics and taste.

But I see now - you're one of those people with supercar avatars, that in reality have a '94 honda civic (modded with fully sick Turbo of course) and spend their time bagging anything that doesn't carry a Ferrari / Lamborghini / Porsche badge.

MassiveTurboLag > Tom 05/27/2014 at 12:13

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This is the first time I see someone judging my sense of aesthetics as a whole based on a flawed Italian coupe. I'm not part of the tuning/drifting scene, I drive a 306 GTI and love supercars. You read people like that Lancia corners.

MTY85 > Tom 05/27/2014 at 19:51

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Maybe I actually see dead CARS and I don't realize it.