Faults:

When I purchased the car, it was very poorly painted with hand painted racing stripes in PVA (house paint). I thus decided to strip the car and prep for a respray... that's when everything started to go wrong. I found massive amounts of body filler, and the front right fender had been appallingly brazed on... There were also rust holes into which one could hide a size 10 work boot. Be that as it may, I repaired the body and had it running sweetly... until it ran bearings, which I am currently busy rebuilding the motor to remedy.

General Comments:

They are things of beauty, and the best front drive I have had the privilege of piloting. The little V4 makes a superb burble at idle and roars with the ferocity of a larger power plant when putting the hammer down. I believe that had I acquired a looked after version, it would still be my daily driver, as opposed to a project. But seeing as how magnificent it was before I embarked on the rebuild of the motor, I cannot wait to have it grunting down some country back roads again.

Also bearing in mind the ground clearance and high profile tyres, it is especially fun on a nice dirt track.

As with all older cars, some are lemons, but with a Lancia Fulvia it is most certainly worth the risk. Just bear with in mind they do occasionally require some 'surprise maintenance'.

Faults:

Overheating, which I have not yet managed to solve.

Carburettor balance issues, but with two twin choke carbs, it is rather ambitious to try and remedy them without a flow gauge.

The seat belt mounting points are badly worn (but that gives me an excuse to upgrade to a three point belt).

Rubbers are perished (but then again, for a 40 year old car that has suffered much, it's nothing to cry about).

General Comments:

Superbly comfortable car, with very balanced handling... Especially for a front drive car. It is also VERY prone to lift off oversteer...

It has a brilliant sound for a four cylinder engine. It may have very little torque, but certainly makes up for it with a very sharp throttle response and high revs.

It was in appalling condition when I purchased it, and required about the same as the asking price to get it roadworthied.

Previous owner had coated the car in a massive amount of body filler, but once removed, I was lucky in that the overall condition was not too dreadful.

The ground clearance is brilliant for a car with sporty ambitions. This is something vital in South Africa (where the roads are in rather poor condition).