Lancia Shines In Stuttgart

[gamma a.i.]

I was at the Retro Classic Expo in Stuttgart for 3 long days - in 1 of several 'only cars & model-auto (strange mix !) for sale' auto-jumble' halls- I was there with my FSZ.
There were lots of mixed-bags there; few were worth the 'asking-price'; however some cars were sold in that hall!

I sat for some seconds in a stationary 3 front-seat Matra Bagherra; it almost tipped over & I am a light-weight. Yikes !I
I was happy to get out alive; one really sits on the floor; no bend at the knee!!! It was sold at a fair price, fair for seller & for a happy buyer,

Recently on a different Lancia Forum w´there has been some speak of fine wood or fine lthr lancia-fitting steering-wheels replacing less pretty but original steering wheels ! My "on-display" FulviaSportZagato was 'downed' by the Fulvia 'originality-faction' who could not understand how I could remove a barge-sized / ugly -plastic dirty-looking (not that it was really ever dirty), pinkish-brown wood-imitation-replica skinny-rimmed-slippery to grap, cold in wntr / hot in smmr original Fulvia S2 steering-wheel for a lovely-to-the-feel; fine-looking fat-rimmed, oh oh oh to squeeze - black lthr optional but original (so I have been told) Fulvia S2 steering wheel !! The Fools (the 'originality faction) !!!

They also did not comprehand why I replaced the (imho) plain, uncomfortable, squishy, sweaty, plasticy-smell but original plastic-seats for form-fitting highback infinately more comfortable seats that would look just as good in an 70's Escort RS 2000.

I took the hits good naturedly & told everyone "U R just jelous; so there, pfth!!!!!!

Many of my critics (they hide everywhere) were mostly Fanatical-Fulvia-Drivers whom I'd never met before, but some I knew from local Lancia Clubs. All were friendly & well informed.

1 vry shrt - vry wide Gent with white hair ran up to my FSZ excitedly & explained to all "I built this car; I started working at Zagato when I was 16, banging out alu bodies for early FSZ; man ... they are horrible cars & so poorly built. This one is a Fiat-Era FSZ with, finally, quality steel & fine construction". He was in heaven; running his hands everywhere (on the car) & murmuring to himself !!!
I smiled & thanked him !! He related adventerous stories about breathing in welding-smoke, losing his job & immigating north when Z stopped production of FSZ's. His visit made everyones day.

Very few of those present (for hours) believed that the blue-tail on a red FSZ was historically correct ... based on a FSZ Rallye Car. OK; that FSZ had a white tail (& perhaps a white nose too ?) in the late 60's. Everyone swore that they would research various Fulvia photo-files to see how honest I am !! I am !!
Some of these guys even had the nerve to complain that my FSZ didn't have Chromadora wheels nor the original steel-wheels. They wouldn't listen to my claim that little red HF elephants on center caps of perfect "Milano home of Zagato Wheels were just as historically correct as other Fulvia wheels......... I assume I am correct; but if I am not...I don't care.

All the attacks were just good natured joshing & bantering; making it fun to stand around a hall full of lesser cars for 12 hours each day ! ...........& no, I am not planining to repaint the tail red !!!.
I met several FSZ owners who are in the process of "never-ending 'doing it myself' restorations".........all of whom needed a lot of trim parts. They took none from my FSZ ! 1 poor gent took his FSZ to the local paint shop with all the trim still installed; now that the paint is finished they can't find the trim & claim that they never had it !!
Murder would be justified !

There was 1 other FSZ present at the show, an alu-body staring-point for a very good FSZ. It was being offered 'missing all shiny & otherwise trim pieces!!??!! It was the recent victim of a disasterous & expensive paint job that unfortunatly curdled into deep creases & overlappying folds. The owner / seller was in a total state-of-shock; he wouldn't go into deep-detail about the situation ... He just said "it has eaten up all my savings & I won't get 1cent back from the paint shop : They say it is my fault for not telling them that the car is alu !

I say "what"???

This FSZ was being offered for € 18,ooo as it stood; with very low km (63,ooo). It fetched € 8,000 from a LCD member after 100 Fulvia experts poured over it for 3 days. No, the price did not include the missing trim! That was € 1000 more !!

Seller was to devestated to drive it out of the hall Sun eve; buyer was too happy & afraid to drive it out.....with so many cars parked in such a tight place----so I did. Now I can say 'I've driven a alu S1 4speed (reverse in the wrong place) FSZ ... for 50 meter ! I felt like driving it home; but I already had another FSZ to drive home.
I turned down several offers for Fulvia + cash for my FSZ; although 1 LCD ,embers prime Fulvia Berlina would make a lot more sense (& a lot less fun) to own. Lots of potential buyers promised to call (I hope they don't !!!)

Yes, we killed a few bottle of Grappa !

AllGerman Lancia Clubs were present on a joint booth; it was simply..............Lancia !

[racing]

Let us see your Zagato. Don´t you have any pic´s ?!

Andreas

[gamma a.i.]

this isn't mine; but it sure is interesting

http://www.eddinsmoto.com/id106.htm

[gamma a.i.]

mine

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/attachm ... ig-020.jpg

http://www.fem-uhlig.net/BadKoenig08/Ba ... 07_054.jpg

in NL _ LCN Meet/Gamma Meet
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/270 ... 80d5_m.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/270 ... 35cc_s.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/270 ... bfb0_s.jpg

not mine
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/270 ... 52f9_s.jpg

not mine, not that I'd mind
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/270 ... 9821_s.jpg

[gamma a.i.]

mine

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/attachm ... ig-020.jpg

http://www.fem-uhlig.net/BadKoenig08/Ba ... 07_054.jpg

http://www.madle.org/og06lanfulzag72.jpg
http://www.madle.org/og06langam78.jpg

in NL _ LCN Meet/Gamma Meet
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/270 ... 80d5_m.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/270 ... 35cc_s.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/270 ... bfb0_s.jpg

not mine
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/270 ... 52f9_s.jpg

not mine, not that I'd mind
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3210/270 ... 9821_s.jpg

no one can follow the road book - fulvia Benelux/France meet 2010
http://www.viva-lancia.com/lancia_fora/ ... Mafia1.JPG

more fun:
http://www.viva-lancia.com/lancia_fora/ ... d54ddo.jpg

not mine; but more rare wheels
http://www.madle.org/og06lanfulviazags13.jpg

1 Gamma I actually....rode in...around the hills of Torino
http://gammaconsortium.com/lanciagammaf ... =250;image

[racing]

not so bad I would say.
But why so many other pic´s. We know the shape of the zag´s well
but not your´s;)

Andreas

[gamma a.i.]

top 7 fotos R of my car in various poses, dress & places.

anyway I've posted other photos here b4 & in other Fulvia Forum; sometimes in Fulvia Group photos!

Im jeden fall, I don't wanna be a hog; but I have lots more if you (anyone) wants more.

Don't worry, they are not fotos of mio ?

[fulvia a.i.]

art:

http://cskjott.com/worksNEW/imgwww/tworunALTERlow.jpg

more: Lancia at a Fiat Meeting: http://www.131mirafiori.com/news14.htm

http://gammaconsortium.com/lanciagammaf ... 1659;image