International Lancia Forums

Today I was reading an article about the current " "rare & precious car" price scene on www.sportscarmarket.com. I discovered a web-site - Collectorcartraderonline.com via the 1st web site.
Just for fun I dialed in Lancia on the 2d site & came across the following offer (shortened text)

1971 LANCIA FULVIA ZAGATO 1.3S $21,500 CALL TOLL FREE: (888) 710-5881

Dark Blue; Black Interiors/n 818650002055. Always industry leaders in design innovation, Lancia`s Fulvia `Sport`, front wheel drive narrow angle V4 was no exception. Easy to control front wheel drive,capable of 110 mph, Lancia campaigned Fulvia Sports in international rally / circuit events throughout Europe with great success. In total 6 different bodies were mounted to Fulvia chassis. Zagato bodied are generally regarded as the most aesthetically pleasing of all variations. Car is among last 1300 Zagatos built, equipped with rare 5 speed-box. Car has been fitted with a 1.6 liter engine, probably an HF, just rebuilt; has break-in miles only. Cosmetically best described as a nice, straight, presentable driver. Panel match is good, with no signs of major repairs. Original emblems & badges present. Much of exterior chrome & stainless trim is probably original, has hazing, pitting, sanding marks. Repaint about 5 years ago - change from red;was of reasonable quality appropriate for car`s value at time. Hood repainted; slightly darker blue. A handful of minor paint imperfections about the car which are consistent with a `driver`. Sits on FPS wheels with Dunlop Formula R 185/60R14 Interior is also in`driver` condition; excellent seats ( less headrests), new black fabric headliner, original wood steering wheel, nice rubber floor mats, probably original. Door panels are nice, probably original. A handful of sun cracks on upper surface of dash, a situation which is common to Zagatos, some imperfections to dash wood, but interior makes strong impression. Mechanically fantastic. Engine rebuilt by Lancia expert Jan Hjorth. Complete bottom end rebuild / valve job. Has break-in miles only. 2d gear syncro excellent both warm & cold. Brakes are effective & suspension tight / compliant. Lower A-arms modified for more negative camber - reduces understeer. Comes with unmodified stock A-arms. Gauges / accessories are operational. Wiper blades are not attached. Comes with spare wheel/tire, original A-arms, sway bar, Solex carb set with manifold, some interior parts, myriad of other useful spares: horn buttons to throw-out bearings. With prices approaching 1/2 million $ for 1600 Al-Ro TZ, this is an opportune chance to acquire a well sorted, exotic,
Dealer Information Fantasy Junction http://www.fantasyjunction.com


My comment:
I don't get a good feeling about this Z. I don't understand why it isn't "put-right" (dash-cracks etc) before being offered for sale. For that price I'd expect to get a lot more Fulvia. Like, with a complete set of bumpers. Why mention unmounted wipers? Perhaps the seller isn't able to find the few simple tools needed to mount them ?
Buyer Beware ?

That car has been on the Fantasy Junction website for some time. I believe the original listing price was $25,000. Haven't seen the car myself, but I agree that from the description it sounds a bit overpriced.

Peter

The seller is a major dealer, who has no excuses for not sorting all the problems. And the market seems to agree with you; as Peter mentioned, they've had this car on offer for a long time.

I've been giving some thought to this situation ...... and why a major dealer would put such a "mid-value / imperfect vehicle" on the market at such a high price. Usually while driving straight ahead for miles & miles, on highways I know well, with little traffic and good visibility
For lack of any better explanation, I can only guess that the seller feels that Fulvia Coupes are worth a great deal more than the market is willing to pay at this time & was making a noble gesture to get prices moving in the right direction. If this is true, I agree that Fukvia Coupes (non HF) are worth a lot more than they are being sold for in 2008.
I was boggled at the price recently paid for a "painting-by-a-living-artist " - a painting of a very heavy (still living) female ....... however, someone was willing to pay that price.
So, why shouldn't low volume, hand-built cars, such as the Fulvia Z, not be "marketed" as pieces of art.
Still, there is no excuse to offer any decent, raodworthy car at (almost) any price with "headrests missing".

I believe the dealer in question is a knowledgeable and reputable one (and a Lancia fan as well).

I also believe that many of his cars have been placed there on consignment by their owners.

So presumably it's the owner setting the asking price, not the dealer.

I'm rather hoping that Fulvias remain undervalued, as this increases my chances of being able to afford another one.

Shaun,

I think you're probably right on.

The problem with consignment sales is that the owner wants full retail, and the dealer always needs something for their trouble. There's always a compromise, but it rarely results in a bargain price.

But as far as Fulvias remaining undervalued, I'd try to buy that other one sooner rather than later.