Following on to the mint Lancia Fulvia 1.3S Coupe we featured on Sunday, here is that car's four door counterpart, the Berlina. With a 1.1 liter version of the narrow angle V4 engine, front-wheel drive and four wheel disc brakes, this was a revolutionary little sedan that is revered for it's exquisite engineering. This example for sale in California is one of but a handful of Fulvia Berlinas that reside here in the US.
1965 Lancia Fulvia 2C Berlina
1965 Lanica Fulvia 2C Berlina. s/n 818.100 057748. White with Light Blue and White interior. Famous for their incredible craftsmanship, brilliant engineering solutions, and complete disregard for cost accounting with respect to those engineering solutions, pre-FiatLancias are, in many ways, in a class of their own. Few cars are as thoughtfully engineered or built, which helps to explain why Lancia encountered a great deal of financial trouble.
This particular car was imported from Europe to Washington State in the mid-1970’s. It was purchased by Mr.Burke from a wrecking yard in 1975. “I bought the Fulvia from a wrecking yard in Puyallup (near Tacoma). I wish I had taken a picture of it "as found," it was crammed between two other cars, couldn't get the doors open, couldn't open the hood, couldn't get underneath it to see if it was rusted. It looked just fine, what was it doing there? Turns out it was an abandoned car, not wrecked at all. The car had belonged to a serviceman who had imported it from Europe, had a seriously bad wheel bearing and ran on three cylinders, so he just parked it and left it, probably at Fort Lewis."
The Lancia was sold in 1992 to Mr. Gill who drove it from Washington State to San Francisco. The car was then sold to Zach Georgopoulos, also in San Francisco in 1995. The car eventually made its way down to Southern Californian where it changed hands a few times before being purchased by the current owner in 2008.
Cosmetically this example is best described as a nice, straight, presentable driver. The panel match is good throughout, with no obvious signs of major repairs. All the original emblems and badges are present. Much of the exterior chrome and stainless trim is free of hazing, pitting. The paint is of reasonable quality and very presentable. There are a handful of minor paint imperfections throughout the car which are consistent with a “driver quality” car. The car sits on nice painted white wheels and chrome hubcaps with Kumho tires.
The interior is in very nice condition with excellent two-tone cloth seats, as well as door panels, original type steering wheel sourced in Italy. The black carpet was installed in southern California in 2006 and remains in nice condition. The door panels are very nice and probably retaining the original knobs and window cranks. The interior makes a strong overall impression.
Mechanically, the car is in great condition and has been overseen by Lancia expert Jaan Hjorth. This work consisted of a new brake master cylinder, new shifter bushings, emergency brake repair, carburetor service, routine fluid changes as well as a rebuilt starter in November 2011. Second gear syncro is very nice both warm and cold. The brakes are effective and the suspension tight and compliant.
With the car comes the spare wheel with tire (looks to be original), car cover, workshop manual, original type horn, (not connected), and a binder with recent work orders that the current owner compiled during his ownership. The car is currently registered in California with a clear title. Please note that the European plates do not accompany this car in the sale.
The car is an absolute joy to drive, and reminds why Lancia has such a devoted following. Every aspect of the car’s performance embodies the quality feel that is lacking even from more exotic Italian machines from the same period. By comparison, any other car feels crude. The engine makes good power and noise, and runs as it should. The chassis is quiet and composed. The transaxle shifts beautifully, and the rebuilt brake master cylinder ensures confidence while braking. The overall feel of this particular Fulvia Berlina is a wonderfully coherent, well maintained car that exudes quality.
Please do not email asking what the reserve is. The car is for sale locally, so the seller has the right to end the auction early. Seller can help make shipping arraignments worldwide.
There is no telling what the reserve price is, but if I had to guess, it's probably somewhere between $12,000 to $15,000. The coupe we featured was listed at $17,500, so it will be interesting to see if collectors value the rarity of the four door over the coupe. For those in the market for a vintage Italian sedan who feel that an Alfa Romeo Giulia is just too common, this car could be just the ticket.
-Paul