Introduction

The Fulvia Berlina was designed by Antonio Fessia, to replace the Lancia Appia with which it shared almost no components. The Appia was a rear wheel drive car, however, while the Fulvia moved to front wheel drive like the Flavia. The general engineering design of the Fulvia was identical to that of the Flavia with the major exception of the engine, the Flavia having a four cylinder horizontally opposed engine and the Fulvia a 'Narrow Angle' vee configuration as featured on most production Lancias from the Lambda.

The Fulvia used a longitudinal engine mounted in front of its transaxle. An independent suspension in front used wishbones and a single leaf spring, while a live axle with a panhard rod and leaf springs was used in back. Four wheel Dunlop disc brakes were fitted to 1st series Fulvias. With the introduction of the 2nd Series in 1970 the brakes were uprated with larger Girling calipers all round and a brake servo. The handbrake design was also changed - using separate drums and brake-shoes operating on the rear wheels.

Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF

As far as the Fulvia goes, the 1.6 HF was seen to be the best. It boasted two world championships and was capable of reaching 184 km/h. Despite being a V-four, its engine managed 115 bhp peaking at 6200 rpm. It had a piggy-back five-speed gearbox and had great handling complete with Dunlop disc brakes.

The rear of this car sat quite high whereas the front was low. It lacked bright trim along the windscreen rubber but showed off huge driving lamps. The seats were very skimpy and lightweight bucket versions. Between 1968 and 1969 only 1,280 Fulvia 1.6 HF's were built including around 30 right-hand drivers that were sent to Britain. Today it is considered one of the greatest of "drivers" cars.