1969 Lancia Fulvia Sport 1.3 Zagato (Series 1)

The Fulvia Sport was a fastback two-seater based on Fulvia Coupé mechanicals and clothed in curvaceous and lightweight bodywork styled by Ercole Spada of the Zagato design house in Milan, known for the immortal Aston Martin DB4 Zagato. Powered by an innovative, 1,298cc, OHC, narrow-angle V4 engine and featuring double wishbone independent suspension, the nimble Zagato-bodied cars proved themselves well in motorsport, scoring highly in events such as the Sebring 12 Hours, the Daytona 24 Hours and winning the 1972 International Rally Championship outright. In a contemporary road test, Road & Track magazine described the Fulvia as 'a precision motorcar, an engineering tour-de-force'.

This particular 1.3-litre Fulvia Sport Zagato was first registered on 3rd April 1969 and is believed to be one of only a handful of original right-hand drive examples known to still exist and one of the last 'real' Lancias built before FIAT’s takeover in late 1969.

It has been sympathetically restored to a superb level, with the emphasis being on originality and retains all of the signature Fulvia Zagato features unique to the Series 1 including the alloy side-opening bonnet, alloy door skins and spare wheel hatch. The bodywork was taken back to bare metal and fully prepared before being professionally refinished in many coats of Lancia Blue Mendoza. The engine was fully rebuilt with all new pistons and bearings, the twin Solex carburettors were refinished, the original Dunlop disc brakes were rebuilt and the suspension and underpinnings received equal attention. Naturally the interior was not left out and was retrimmed and refurbished as required with the seats and door cards benefiting from period-correct fresh tan vinyl.

The little Lancia is accompanied by a comprehensive history file which includes a continuous ownership log detailing just four recorded keepers until 1978 and then the same family ownership until 2021, as well as further documentation helping to support the indicated mileage of 48,944.

Ex-works 'HF' rally cars aside, the Sport Zagato is the most desirable and collectable of all the Fulvias and undeniably one of the most striking designs of its era. These period coach-built motor cars are becoming more and more sought after and this rare example seems very reasonably guided, especially considering the amount of time, money and love invested in it.