Faults:

Boy oh boy. I fell in love. With a classic Lancia, you better don't! This car has cost me so much money in one year, it's truly obscene. On my first trip, the brakes failed. Not just a bit, the pedal FLOORED. I saved myself and the car at traffic lights by means of the handbrake. That was basically the beginning of my forced relationship with Huib G., nationwide (NL's) Fulvia-guru and very nice bloke, too. He really gets the job done well - because he WANTS it that way, he's not just after your money.

I'll sum up just about everything that either failed and needed replacement, or was taken care of out of precaution:

* Total brakes-overhaul. I mean TOTAL.

* New old stock Dell'Orto carbs. Not cheap.

* New tires in correct width (145R14).

* New wheel-bearings aft.

* Re-tempered leaf-springs and new high-pressure gas shocks.

* New inner/outer sills and lower wing-halves.

* Overhauled: Steering-box, dynamo, starter-motor, water-pump, radiator, fuel-pump.

* Front sub-frame and engine compartment extensively rust-treated, new rubber bearings everywhere.

* Front wishbones, and suspension-bearings replaced/overhauled.

* Electrical system generally overhauled, new lower beam-units, horn fixed, flashlight fixed, warning-lights installed.

And lots of minor trim-work and you-know-what. Next year might see a clutch and engine-overhaul, but although the engine leaks a bit, it's generally still OK so I might postpone it one or two years... Expensive job, but at some point it will need to be done.

General Comments:

Let's face it, this is an extremely elegant car that looks so "right" it really can't be improved upon. An in-house job at Lancia, this 1965 design still looks fresh today. In 2004, Lancia are to release a modern-day Fulvia of which the prototype looks promising.

The Fulvia Coupe was an avid rally-contender AND winner; driving this car - especially mine, with rejuvenated suspension - through twisting country-lanes tells you why. Back then, whenever it rained during a race, the Fulvia won. Just about always. Under dry conditions it either won or ended reasonably close.

This is an entertaining, but not very relaxing car to drive; it has no overdrive and sounds a bit harsh when revved - which it needs to be in order to get any decent performance from the not-too-torquey engine. 92 HP from a 1,3 is pretty good though even for today's standards; back then it was amazing.

110 kph (±70 mph) is the best motorway compromise, although I've seen 170 kph in Germany while still feeling confident about the situation. Even without seat-belts, which under Dutch legislation it doesn't need to have (all pre-'71 cars!)...

It takes a heavy right-foot to get decent acceleration, since only from 4000 rpm onward - limit at 6200 - the engine really begins to pull. The car's true weakness is that it's just 100 kg's too heavy. Lighter versions with beefed-up engines were available, but are very scarce by now and REALLY expensive to run and maintain.

Next year will see the car's first major holiday-trip; by now, so much has been done already that reliability seems pretty good. I always keep some hard-to-get spare-parts in the car.

My Fulvia -she has a name: Emeralda (no "s"!) - is basically a car for sunny days only, and is kept in a sheltered parking at two miles from my home. For everyday use I drive -not without pleasure!- a 1990 Renault 5 TR.

Faults:

The car came out of a collection and had stood too long. In the beginning I had some electrical problems with the fuses. After regular use, these problems are gone. Now, after 13000km in 9 months starter broke down. It was no big deal to find a reconditioned one at a reasonable price.

General Comments:

The car runs great! I went into the Swiss mountains for skiing: Great on snow. I went to South France: No heating problems. To use the Beetles claim: It runs and runs and runs.