Lancia Fulvia Sport S Series II by Zagato 1972 - World Of Classic Cars -

Lancia Fulvia Sport S Series II by Zagato 1972

Introduced to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, the Lancia Fulvia  is best remembered for its distinguished racing history. The small Lancia had a string of rally successes in the '60's including winning the '72 International Rally Championship. Upon its release Road & Track magazine described the Fulvia as 'a precision motorcar, an engineering tour de force', and it enjoyed a well deserved sales success. Designed to replace the Lancia Appia and borrowing its engineering heavily from the Lancia Flavia, the Fulvia featured a newly designed narrow-angle V4 engine, independent suspension and all-round disc brakes. It was the narrow angle V4 engine though that really caused a storm. The DOHC design's narrow angle allowed for the use of a single cylinder head.

Lancia Fulvia Sport S Series II by Zagato 1972

The Lancia Fulvia was available in Berlina, Coupé, Rallye and Sport however it was the Coupé version that proved most popular and gained the racing accolades the Fulvia is credited with. Its handsome and distinctive lines, coupled with the famous narrow angle V4 engine have since contributed to its reputation as a modern classic. Equipped with five-speed gearbox and powered by the 90bhp 1.3-litre twin-overhead camshaft engine introduced for the Second Series HF model of 1970-76, it was a little jewel - with 100mph performance, light steering and excellent brakes. Outliving its saloon variant by three years, the last Coupé left Lancia's Chivasso plant in June 1976.