International Lancia Forums

Paul,

Thank you very much!

Thomas, Been there with the gtv. Problem is most propably the rear brakes (for non alfisti: these are mounted on the rear diff and are impossible to get to). Adjust them properly with the allen screw inside the 17mm locking nut. If not set right (was it .4mm?), the whole braking will be bad. Also if the rear disks are wrapped you cannot adjust properly.

Sorry guys....

propably should be probably

Yes Peter, indeed there was as I remember a .4mm gap to be fine-tuned with an allen key in a hole impossible to get at, and back then while I was contemplating how to sort it out, I figured the whole car was not worth the effort to me and I quietly sold it off. Mind you it was a beautiful 1st series, 2nd owner, zero rust, always well cared for, always run on synthetic oil, and with full service history, but I found the drive rubbish compared with a Fulvia whose design is over a decade older. I hope I'm not hurting anyone's feelings...

Well nothing to it. De Flaminia Touring Convertible 2.8 3C was simply faster then the 911's of the police. I was chased by the police about once a month.

On the other hand I could not keep up with the Toyota 1100 on LPG of a friend of mine. On the country roads that is. He was a professional race / rally driver. Occasionally he borrowed the Flaminia for races on the track and invariably won, no matter what the competition was. This was from the first race he did with the Flaminia without having driven it ever before. Once he piloted my Fulvia berlina on the Zandvoort race track. He was again the fastest with the competition being BMW 2002 tii, Porsches and Giulia Supers.

It led me to the conclusion that some driving lessons have more effect than Green Stuff brake pads, wide tires and what have you. Of course one has to start practicing before the age of 12.

This friend did also rescue me once from the police early 70's. In those days I knew every police officer in town by his first name. I was in my Fulvia berlina which was parked somewhere in the city center surrounded by police with Volkswagen beetles and motorbikes. I don't remember for what reason they were after me. As usual I had locked the doors and the police had asked for my drivers license which they decided to take to the police station to check if it wasn't false. I was stuck there. if I would have driven off, the police would have arrested me for driving without a license. This friend of mine happened to walk by. I explained the situation and he jumped in the drivers seat of the Fulvia while I moved to the right and he drove off. The police followed us with sirens and flashing lights. They did not catch us, while we never exceeded the speed limit of 50 km/h. He turned corners without slowing, saw opening in the city traffic long before they happened and knew which traffic lights where going to green and which to red.

So, my friends. Have all the fun you want with your Fulvia's but knowing how to drive it beats any modification you can think off by light years. I have given up. I simply enjoy it as it is (and as I am)

Those are wonderful stories, Huib!

Huib,

Wonderful stuff, many thanks. In fact, I would be willing to bet that there is more - if you have the time I am sure we would all love to hear about it!

Best wishes

Paul

I agree, these are great stories. And I second Paul's request for more.

Regards

Shaun Pond