1.2 67 series 1 coupe

[Nick]

Is there anything that I should be aware of especially around the series 1 cars before I buy?
Thanks

Nick.

[1,6 HF]

Is there anything that I should be aware of especially around the series 1 cars before I buy?
Thanks

Nick,

There's no special concerns with the S1 coupes--just the whole range of usual issues. But do your homework. If you don't already know Fulvias, get a copy of Weernink's The Lancia Fulvia and Flavia: A Collector's Guide; it's a great reference for the model range, and has an excellent buying guide as well. (Of course, if you do already know Fulvias, you'll already have a copy.)

Mostly, it's just the usual Fulvia issues; make sure you can physically inspect the car, or get someone to do so for you (preferably someone who knows Fulvias). Check for rust in the sills and subframe mounting points (particularly the rear legs where they attach at the back of the front wheel wells) and everywhere else. Check the tops of the front wheel arches for signs of cracking that indicates subframe failure (or failure of a mounting point).

Beyond what Weernink covers, unless you know that the car's been maintained well, and that it hasn't been sitting idle for more than a couple of months, count on having to rebuild the brakes, including the master cylinder. Count on replacing all the 'consumable' ignition parts--points, plugs, plug wires, &c. If the engine doesn't rev freely and smoothly, suspect the carb synchronization and suspect that the ignition timing isn't advanced far enough; the factory was a little too conservative with its advance settings, IMHO. If replacing the ignition components, synching the carbs, and setting the advance a little more aggressively doesn't have the engine revving freely and smoothly, suspect trouble. But all this is true of any Fulvia.

One thing that is quite unique about the 1.2 coupe is that it has a much more solid feel than the later Fulvia coupes. The doors and lids, being steel instead of aluminum, should shut smoothly, easily, and solidly. With the door open about a foot, you should be able to push it shut with one finger, and it should latch with a solid 'thunk' like a new Mercedes. If the doors don't close and latch smoothly, I'd suspect that the body is tweaked or that there has been some careless restoration work done.

Other than that, good luck.

[Nick]

Many thanks, ad lists the following attributes

Two previous owners 29,000 genuine miles. Underbody extensively repaired,resealed,subframe shotblasted ,repaired and painted,brakes reconditioned,discs skimmed,rear axle removed and overhauled, all new suspension bushes and engine mounts,new shocks all round. Drives like a new car,handles like a dream. All window/ door seals replaced,good tyres.New carpets. Receipts for almost €4,000 worth of parts.

Should be picking it up on Sunday, many years of looking and finally get around to biting the bullet!.

[ncundy]

Where abouts are you located ?? The only potential drawback with the 1.2 models is availability of some 1.2 specific the engine bits. A note on the discs - I don't think there is enough metal to skim the discs on an S1, there is no skimming allowance in the manual (there is a skimming allowance for S2's) IIRC.

[Nick]

Located in Ireland as is the car.

[Nick]

In regards to the sarcity of engine bits, if all goes horribly wrong can another series engine/capacity be shoe horned in?.

[ncundy]

I don't think there are any issues with putting a 1300 engine in. They are all the same dimensionally and functionally.
I think basically the 1200 is as robust as any of the other engines, but because it was produced for only a short period of time engine bearings, pistons, rings (those bits that are different) are more difficult to find, although of course anything can be got for a price. So if it has been well looked after and is in good nick then I wouldn't anticipate any problems.

Good luck with the car and take a trip to www.viva-lancia.com for more fulvia specific advice.

[1,6 HF]

In regards to the sarcity of engine bits, if all goes horribly wrong can another series engine/capacity be shoe horned in?.

There's no problem whatever in swapping in a 1.3 if it all goes wrong. Neil's right: the engines are fairly robust. But spares aren't really that scarce, whether 1.2 [of which there are two different versions] or 1.3. (That said, the general rule of classic cars still applies--at any given moment, any special bit you need may be impossible to find, even if there were dozens of them available just a month before...)

At 29,000, it has so few miles that you will need to make sure that everything has been properly recommissioned. My earlier comments about disused brakes particularly apply here; hopefully the recommissioning has been recent. And regarding the brake discs, it's possible that they were only lightly skimmed to remove surface rust. But all this should be easy to verify from those receipts you mention.

All in all, if the 29,000 miles are indeed genuine, and if the recommissioning has been done well, the car certainly should drive like new--it's barely broken in. All best wishes on finally taking the plunge with a Fulvia.