Fulvia 1600 HF Fanalino Corsa

[cjb1816]

I am potentially buying a Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF Fanalino Corsa from Italy. I know that
200 models were built at the beginning of the Series 2 production run and that they
used many of the 1.6 HF Series 1 Fanalone parts, but how are these models
identified? The cars that I am considering are listed as
Fanalino Corsas but how can I be sure they are what they say they are? I know their
full engine and chassis numbers but I have no full production list to check these
against. Can you help? Many thanks.

[Ed Levin]

Transitional spec cars were fairly typical of Lancia production; the first 600 S2 Fulvia Sports carried over S1 bodies with S2 mechanicals and interiors. And some number of early S2 1600HFs can be considered as 'transitional', as they have a number of parts that carry over from the S1 1,6HF. But there was no special identification for these cars. They have standard 818.740 chassis numbers, and I've never seen any reliable reference source that is even willing to guess how many there were--let alone factory production records with definitive chassis numbers. Despite this lack of any clear evidence, however, everyone seems to "know" that 200 of these so-called "fanalino corsa" were made. I confess I'm rather skeptical of the claim.

The factory S2 1600HF brochure shows two variants. One is labeled "Lusso", and has bumpers, bright stainless windshield surround, and highback seats. The other variant, which is not labeled, and was never officially referred to as "fanalino corsa" (or anything else), has no bumpers, no windshield brightwork, and has the earlier lightweight lowback seats. In fact, in the brochure this variant lacks bumper mounting holes in front of the front wheelarches--something I've never seen on any car that claims to be a "fanalino corsa". I have long thought this variant appears in the factory brochure simply as a homologation ruse, not unlike the myth--long since dispelled--that the first 600 S1 1,6HFs all had Variante 1016 engines.

If you're looking at an very low serial 818.740, and it has a number of 818.540 parts (other than the engine, which is always 818.540), then it's likely one of these transitional examples. Otherwise, caveat emptor.

But that's just my opinion. I imagine there are some who will take issue with this.

[cjb1816]

Hi Ed
Thank you for your reply. Very helpful information and much appreciated. The car I am looking at has a chassis number of 818740 001482. Would you consider this to be "very low" and, as such, a possible "Fanalino Corsa"? Obviously this is not one of the first 200 chassis numbers but I am guessing that this is not proof in itself? The vendor is being quite responsive to my questions and providing information whenever I ask. Is there anything that might clearly prove that it is not a Fanalino? Were Aluminium panels only used on these early models? The car has been fully rebuilt and the build appears to have been carried out meticulously, but the colour is confusing. It is clear that it once had a black Monte Carlo type bonnet with red paintwork but the vendor is implying that it was once a rare orange/red which he has now used to again to respray the car. This coupled with the fact that the chassis plate is new and screwed to the body work makes me obviously a little suspicious. However I do feel the vendor is trying to be helpful so I will see how my questions regarding the above are answered before I proceed further. Any thoughts on the above would be gratefully received.
Many thanks again.
Chris

[Ed Levin]

Chris,

You're speaking of the 1600HF currently for sale in Aosta. It's not one of the transitional-spec cars, and in fact you're right to be suspicious; there are a number of details that suggest that it may not be correct as a 1600HF--let alone a mythic "unicorn corsa". I would suggest you insist on a photo of the body serial stamp, located in the hood gutter just behind the RH hood hinge. It's often obscured by layers of paint, but it should match the chassis plate.

[cjb1816]

Ed

Thank you for your very helpful message. I have been in contact with the seller who has sent me a lot of the rebuild photos including a pic of a new chassis plate (obviously suspicious although he says he might still have the original - he is looking for it at the moment). The plate does correspond to the photo of the serial stamp in the hood gutter although the number is 818740 001482 which is clearly a number higher than the first 200 (i.e. 001001 - 001200). Photos attached. He has also sent me photos of various parts of the engine which have the serial number 540. So numbers appear to be OK for a 1600HF and might suggest a "mythic Corsa".

Is there any way of identifying a Corsa or is it really just myth? I am also very keen to understand why you feel it may not even be an HF. As you can see the car was also once painted Monte Carlo red and black over the original orange but the seller has now returned it to the original colour. Again a little suspicious, but the owner has been completely up front about this. It is all a bit mysterious but somehow I remain interested in the car as a genuine HF. It would be good to hear what you think.

Many thanks

Chris

[Ed Levin]

Chris,

I don't think there's anything suspicious about a color change, nor does the replacement chassis plate raise doubts that aren't satisfied by the body stamp. What you're looking at appears to be a genuine 1600HF. The rear valence appears to be missing the central rectangular indentation (which you can see in the attached photo of the rear), but this was probably just repaired or replaced at some point in its life. I would regard the body stamp as the best evidence.

As I mentioned earlier, a lot of nonsense was promoted at the time in order to maintain homologation--this certainly wasn't limited to Lancia; all the Italian manufacturers did this. I'm sure others may disagree with me, but as I said earlier, I don't believe the "fanalino corsa" ever existed; I believe the brochure photo (which seems to be the only "real" evidence) was intended to deceive. The Reparto Corse wanted to continue to run the lighter S1 1,6HF (818.540) in competition. But there may have been some technical issues with the introduction of its replacement--the S2 1600HF (818.740). So while they homologated the 818.740, they actually built another batch of twenty of the lighter 818.540 chassis--818.540.002259 - 002278--for use by the Reparto Corse. So I've long believed that the so-called 'corsa' version was just to preserve the illusion that a lighter version of the S2 was actually available for purchase and therefore completely legal for homologation purposes.

So there's every reason to believe you're looking at a genuine 818.740 1600HF, but nothing other than that.

Ed

[ncundy]

I would agree with Ed. There is nothing in the TAV's (parts book) that suggests this version actually existed. In reality there is nothing much that would differentiate a "corsa" from a "lusso" anyway apart from the cosmetic (no chrome glass surround, door cards), reduced weight (low backed seats, no bumpers, competition rear axle) and possibly some minor mechanicals (polished rocker arms, competition drive shafts, no brake servo). There's no special "bit" that would make it fundementally different, nor command a higher price.

I have seen a couple of early S2 1600's with competition driveshafts (21mm vs 24mm) and there maybe a few with the competiton rear axle (5kgs lighter due to aluminium ends) - in the UK there're typically referred to as Series 1.5 cars (never an official moniker). But in reality the standard of preparation/restoration will be far more important, and thus "of value" than the inclusion, or lack of, of any supposed "corsa" parts.

Just referring to the particular car in question, observations include that the seats are not correct (maybe period but likely not), the door cards don't match (the passenger side looks to be correct style for an S1 1.6HF, although it would have been ribbed). The footwell buckets are missing and valve cover would probably be yellow only on an S2 (only S1's seem to have the blue stripe). Nothing of much consequence I agree.

I'm pretty sure some early cars came out of the factory with some S1 Fanalone parts, and I know of one that was orginally the property of a period senior UK Lancia person that supposedly came from the factory with a few competition parts, but I suspect they came about through Lancia using up the "parts bin" and the customer having good contacts rather than ticking a "corsa" box on the options list.

I will caveat all this by saying I was in short trousers at the time so this is from what I have learned over the last 20 odd years rather than personel experience at the time!

[cjb1816]

Ed

Thank you again for this valuable help. It allows me to proceed with some confidence that it is at lesst a 1600HF, which is the main thing. It seems a good car so I think I will pursue it as long as someone else doesn't get there first, although the price does seem a little high.

If I do manage a purchase is there anyone in particular that you might recommend looking after it here in the UK. I am in Kent. I know of Auto Integrale, Omicron and Day and Whites, but is there anyone else that is particularly good with Fulvias and maybe with a little preparation for hillclimbing etc?

Thanks again

Chris

[cjb1816]

ncundy

Thanks to you and ED for this valuable help. As I said to Ed, it allows me to proceed with some confidence that it is at least a 1600HF, which is the main thing. The small observations about the door cards are good to know as I certainly hadn't noticed those points. As you say, it shouldn't put me off and it doesn't, but at least it is something to check with the vendor. It seems like a good car so I think I will pursue it as long as someone else doesn't get there first, although the price does seem a little high.

I asked Ed this too, but if I do manage a purchase is there anyone in particular that you might recommend looking after it here in the UK. I am in Kent. I know of Auto Integrale, Omicron and Day and Whites, but is there anyone else that is particularly good with Fulvias and maybe with a little preparation for hillclimbing etc?

Thanks again to both of you for your help. It is information that does not appear available on the internet, at least I couldn't find it!.....

I know Integrales well, having owned one for 20 years but I am learning fast about Fulvias!

Chris

[ncundy]

Omicron would be the obvious and best place, but you might want to wait for you're christmas bonus! Don't know about AI, john Day has fulvia experience. Probably best asking on the LMC site as there are a few on there who compete. I don't so only going on name checks not experience I'm afraid.