Fulvia 1600 HF Fanalino Corsa

[Ed Levin]

The subframe plate is visible only from the top (strong light is recommended, and a telephoto lens helps, too, unless your eyes are very good).

[cjb1816]

OK thanks Ed

I'll see if he is prepared to take some pics or failing that I will investigate myself next weekend. Will keep you posted!

Chris

[cjb1816]

Thanks Lucas

I will see if I can find out what is under the paint! I think the owner may be prepared to help as he has been very helpful so far. He has sent a lot of photos which show that in general he appears to have carried out the restoration to a high level so the over painting is a little surprising but at the moment I am not put off a purchase, but Be in doubt I will be cautious.

If I buy the car I am looking to use it for light track use and the occasional hill climb so not too much roadwork. My father had a Berlina which I drove just after I past my driving test back in the early seventies. A lovely car and it probably kindled my now great interest in the cars.

Regards

Chris

[ekranoplan]

All the best with it Chris,

There is always a story to be told whatever Fulvia you decide to opt for!

Further useful contacts include:

Neale Shepherd - he has owned more Fulvias than most and rebuilds everything from Lagonda engines to Dino V6s.

Tony Wilson - superb gearbox rebuilder - over 30 years working on Race hewland boxes and several Fulvia ones.

Peter Gerrish - retired but often at LMC meetings - has passed on much of his engine building to Neale Shepherd.

Jai Sharma - raced Fulvia HFs for many years. Peter de Wit in NL has much Fulvia rallying experience.

And of course, as you have witnessed - Huib, Ed and Neil are great mines of info !

[cjb1816]

Ekranoplan

Thanks for the contacts. Very useful. I might well contact Neal Shepherd if I buy the car. I had heard of Peter Gerrish but did know he had retired.

Regards

Chris

[gamma a.i.]

Hi Everyone in the strange world of Fulvia

I wonder if the owner/seller honestly believes that he really has owned & restored a HF FC. Not that I question his veracity; he may be right - he may be wrong and still have believed that he wass right - for ??? yeara; & will remained convinced until proven otherwise.

I put myself in a class of "Fulvia Knowledge" 10 rungs below Lukas; still I am really mystified by what I am reading & learning; although if you ask me for details in 1 week, I will remember little.
An explain please Ed about: and that really makes me want to know what the subframe plate says. If it's 540 or 740, it would be very interesting.
If it's 130, 330 or 360, then that would be something else entirely.

What are you saysing ??

Back to Black: I wonder if if it is the sellers own personal Fulvia?; if it was his prior to resto ?or if the person being spoken to is the seller/oners Resto-Master? Does it matter ??
Of course I (we all) wonder "why in the world is it being sold; after all it appears to be a very historically important rarity. So, why sell it after investing multo € ??? into the restoration.

Based on what I've read, remembering that I am no expert on nothing Fulvia; the price being asked may be "out of wack".
I've been told a # of times; yes I've even witnessed a # of times: "depending on what you start with...a proper restoration of the Carrosserie alone can cost a solid wack of bucks; even before anything else is approached.

In order to not muddle-up this Subject I will start a new subject about a totally different "Fulvia of Interest" that I recently became aware of.

[cjb1816]

Hi Ed

What would you deduce if the subframe number was either 540 or 740? I'm seeing the car on Saturday so it would be good to know your thoughts prior to then.

Many thanks.

Chris

[Ed Levin]

If the car has S1 bronze upper bushings, there are three scenarios:
1. the subframe isn't 818.540 or 818.740. This means the entire subframe was replaced from an earlier S1 1,2 or 1,3;
2. the subframe is 818,540 or 818.740, and the cast uprights part number is not 818.540;
3. the subframe is 818,540 or 818.740, and the cast uprights are 818.540.

I could be wrong, but I suspect that a correct fanalino corsa ought to be #3 only.

{EDIT} It's entirely possible that #2 would also be correct.

[cjb1816]

Hi Ed

Thank you for your reply. Could you tell me exactly where to find the cast uprights number? Sorry to be a pain but is there any way of highlighting one of my earlier subframe photos to indicate the position? It would be great if you could help with this last piece of investigation, bearing in mind I am seeing the car tomorrow! I will report back with my findings.

Many thanks

Chris

[Ed Levin]

My apologies--I really should amend my earlier post to note that scenario #2 may also be entirely genuine. It's been about 5 years since I looked for the numbers on uprights, but I with my memory jogged by this discussion I do recall as a number of Fanalones--mine included--do not have 818.540 parts numbers on the uprights.

In other words, checking the subframe plate is about the best you can do.