International Lancia Forums

huib

I think that in many ways you are right to keep to the original engineers compromises (did Lancia pre-fiat ever compromise???) a few odd things like transistorised ignition have got to be worthwhile without interfering with the basic design but in many things it is easy to upset the balance of a car making it too harsh there is almost always a downside as well as an upside to most alterations, as regards motorway cruising the obvious answer is if that's what is wanted buy a Flavia!

It is the standard tire for the Audi A2 in some countries. I understand however that none of the Audi A2 owners is very happy with it mostly because they are difficult to get and not everybody is happy with Bridgestone Someone pampering a Fulvia will not mind the extra effort to get the tires. A2 owners want them from their local car or tire dealer. I have given up anyway considering the 145R14 a serious option for the high mileage I do.

My sparewheel is always the same as any of the 4 wheels under the car and in excellent condition. Exactly for the reason that new tires (and also wheels) maybe difficult to get quickly if one ruins a tire or wheel.
Nevertheless because of my high mileage and frequent trips through France and Italy I like to be able to buy new tires from almost any tiredealer. Fortunately the Michelin E3B 165/80R13 is such a tire. And there are a dozen others making 165/80R13.

165/70R14 is also a good, easy to get option. I was wondering if it is maybe an idea to convert the steel wheels to 5J14 with the humps for tubeless mounting and thus kill two birds with one stone.

Huib, there is a German company selling tyres on line. In the UK it is mytyres.co.uk, in the Netherlans autobandenmarkt.nl. They sell them through Europe for the 35gbp price range without any shipping costs. And the Audi will stay around, so I would guess it is a safe bet. But do not try to find the tyre at your local shop. They will laugh at you. I buy all my tyres on line these days. And I love it!

Thanks, Peter.
I checked autobandenmarkt.nl They do indeed list the tire again after not having listed it for some time. I will keep that in mind next time I need tires.

Dear Huib and Peter, from Italy the site address is www.gommadiretto.it and they list also a Continental WinterContact TS760 for €55.80. This tyre seems to have better ratings than the Bridgestone B381: what do you think about it?
Thanks in advance for your kind reply,
Maurizio

Maurizio, I use 8x13 wheels myself, so I have no clue. The latter sounds like a winter tyre, though!
Peter

TS760 is indeed a winter tire

Oooops!

Hi Chris,
You can swap differentials but only if they come from a 5-speed box. To get the same gearing is the first series 1.3 (which has 10:37) you have to use the final-drive from the series 2 Fulvia zagato or that of the (Flavia)2000 coupe. On my HF1200 I have just recently lowered the gearing from 11:43 which is standard to 10:40 (Berlina GTE). To get better acceleration.

william wrote:
>
> Hi Chris,
> You can swap differentials but only if they come from a
> 5-speed box. To get the same gearing is the first series 1.3
> (which has 10:37) you have to use the final-drive from the
> series 2 Fulvia zagato or that of the (Flavia)2000 coupe. On
> my HF1200 I have just recently lowered the gearing from 11:43
> which is standard to 10:40 (Berlina GTE). To get better
> acceleration.

Only the 2000 carburettor coupé has the 10/37 ratio. The injection cars have the 11/39 (3.545/1) ratio that was also fitted to the 1600 Zagato Fulvia. Of course the gear set is different with a very high fourth. Sadly ALL the five-speeds have a stupid low-ratio second (1600 Fulvia is the best of them) which is very frustrating.

Paul