1975 Lancia Fulvia 1.3 S

Built in 1975 and imported into the UK two years ago, this Lancia Fulvia 3 Coupé is fitted with the 1.3-litre engine. One of the last cars ever built – production ended in 1976 – Lancia had clearly got its eye in by the time this one rolled out of the factory.

Free of the usual rot and corrosion can that plague the model, the exterior is thought to be “highly original” - and that condition might not be too much of a surprise when you learn the odometer only reads 46,000kms, or just over 28,000 miles.

Its Italian owner brought ‘LFM 782N’ over here with him and ran it for a couple of years before part-exchanging it against a new toy, hence this auction.

As with most cars of the period, your biggest concern should be rust. And your second, and maybe even your third.

Which means this one ticks all of your first few boxes because it really is in an extraordinarily good condition. Take a look at the panel alignment, for example. And the shutlines. Both speak of careful curation and a life free of damaging winter road salt.

There are no car park dings either, or ripples along the sides. And the white paintwork allows its gorgeous lines to, quite literally, shine.

A car like this doesn’t need much in the way of adornment, which means the 14-inch steel wheels are pitch perfect. They’re in great shape too and are fitted with Classiro tyres on the rear and Continental ContiEcoContact on the front.

The chrome is also good, as are the badges, window glass, and lamp lenses. 

As the seller says, it is “highly original” and all the better for being so.

If you liked the exterior, you’re going to love the interior. Not only beautifully designed (did anyone do better cabins than the Italians in the seventies?) it is in an excellent condition thanks to a recent, top-notch restoration.

Take a look at the glossy wooden steering wheel and the matching gear knob. You can just imagine throwing it along an Alpine pass, charging up and down the ‘box as you twirl the wheel, can’t you?

Of course, the cockpit of a sporting coupé like this one needs to be practical as well, and this one doesn’t disappoint on that score either.

The front seats are an absolute joy being deliciously plump and wonderfully comfortable while being as supportive as a car like this deserves. They are both in a near-new condition. 

The rear seat is very nearly as good, and as for the rest – carpets, headlining, door cards, and chrome - it’s all very, very good. 

The dashboard is both uncommonly attractive and in a beautiful condition. The instruments are as striking as they are comprehensive, and they are all set in a delightfully styled dashboard. 

The boot, which is as well trimmed as everywhere else, contains a full-size spare wheel. Emptying it out reveals only solid metal underneath too, which is probably even more important.

As you can see, the Lancia starts readily and settles into an immediate idle, albeit one that is perhaps a little lumpy. 

It is said to drive well thanks to a recent tune – and I think we all appreciated the exhaust note, didn’t we?

It’s been fitted with a new brake master cylinder by the seller very recently and while the engine bay is neat and clean, if you wanted to invest a few hours further detailing it, there is scope for that.

The seller tells us he had the underside professionally cleaned before having his chaps apply Dinitrol to kill any surface rust that remained and then apply a coat of good-quality underseal.

It is, therefore, a proper job and one that was done to preserve and protect rather than to disguise any problems. 

Despite not needing one, the seller understands the value of having an MoT on a classic car and has promised it will have a new MoT before the virtual hammer drops. He can’t say fairer than that, can he? 

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an import.

It has a current UK V5 registration document plus some old Italian documents but, like so many imported cars, its paper trail is not extensive.

Cars like the Fulvia are rare. Some cars are blessed with beauty. Some are a joy to drive. And some are sublimely engineered.

But very few are all three. 

And when they are, even fewer are in the sort of condition this one is. 

We estimate it’ll fetch somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000, which, if realised, has to be the biggest bargain of the year so far.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Tockwith, Yorkshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.