in

The Lancia Fulvia Barchetta

PHOTOS LANCIA FULVIA BARCHETTA: SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS

First it was Ferrari with the Monza SP1. Soon Aston Martin presented its V12 Speedster. And now, just a few days ago, the Lamborghini Squadra Corse has announced the tests at Monza of a barchetta based on the Sián. All of this confirms one thing: the barchettas are back. Disappeared since the sixties, these radical versions without a roof return at a time when the big brands are beginning to say goodbye to their V12s. Last shows off before embracing hybrid powertrains like the one in the Ferrari SP90.

However, today we are not going to analyze the reasons for these new versions without a roof or hood. Far from it, what attracts our attention is a great replica of a really mythical barchetta. The one that Fiori and Maglioli made in 1968 from a Lancia Fulvia. Yes, a precursor to the brand's golden age in rallying, a prologue to the eleven constructors' world titles. Italian sports cars that, from the Aurelia to the Delta through the Stratos and the 037, have marked one of the most fascinating competitive sagas of all time.

Saga in which, from 1965 to 1976, the Lancia Fulvia Coupé stood out as an unparalleled rally car before the revolutionary change imposed by the Stratos. A well-known story, within which the rarity of three barchetta versions stands out. Modifications that, far from having been made behind the house, were the fruit of the Squadra Corse HF, the brand's own team formerly called Scuderia Lancia. This Lancia Fulvia Barchetta is the replica of one of them.

LANCIA FULVIA BARCHETTA: UNDER THE HEAT OF DAYTONA

The 24 Daytona 1969 Hours were played in sweltering heat. Something that, inside the cabin of a racing car, can be really terrible for long-suffering drivers. In fact, the experience was so hard that Claudio Maglioli did not have to insist too much on Cesare Fiori - team manager - to cut the roof of the Lancia Fulvia for the next important event, the Sicilian Targa Florio.

Thus, months before entering the seventies the guys from Squadra Corse HF made two Lancia Fulvia Barchettas in which, reinforcing various parts of the body using a tubular structure, a solution was given to the lack of rigidity imposed by the disappearance of the roof and its pillars. And be careful, because the result could not be brighter, since the already light Lancia Fulvia was lowered to 690 kilos in the case of mounting a fuel tank for short and medium trips.

fulvia barchetta

An achievement not only achieved by the absence of the roof, but also by the substitution of some elements for lighter ones. When not its open removal as in the case of the grill or the bumpers. In short, a set of the most content propelled by the atypical narrow angle V4 set at around 1300cc and perhaps optimistic 160hp.

More than enough to power the lightweight Lancia Fulvia Barchetta, which also had a shortened 28mm wheelbase. They won in their respective categories in the 1000 kilometers of the Nürburgring and in the 1969 Targa Florio. In short, a real toy of which, unfortunately, only one unit survives.

fulvia barchetta
One of the original barchettas in the 1969 Targa-Florio.

MAXIMUM CHARM

Unfortunately, although it has enormous charm, what you are seeing in the photos is not one of the two Lancia Fulvia Barchetta created under the supervision of Cesare Fiori. Far from it, it is an interesting tribute to that vintage Lancia.

A project that saw the light of day in 2005, after using a 1968 Fulvia Rallye S as a donor car. Certainly controversial decision, but one that more than one accomplished lancista will applaud knowing that it is intended to pay tribute to possibly the most charming barchetta in Lancia history. Along with certain versions of the Aurelia and the D23 Pininfarina.

Recently this vintage Lancia Fulvia Barchetta has been offered by the British auction house Silverstone Auctions. Another of the various existing replicas of the legendary Italian sports cars, but undoubtedly one of the most successful and practicable for all types of current concentrations on the open road. A worthy tribute which, not because it is a more or less recent replica, ceases to have great value as it reminds us of one of the most curious passages in the entire history of the Squadra Corse HF.

Finally, Do you want to know another very special unit? 😉

What do you think?

avatar photo

Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Once a month in your mail.

Thanks a lot! Do not forget to confirm your subscription through the email that we have just sent you.

Something has gone wrong. Please try again.

60.2 kHappy fans
2.1 kFollowers
3.4 kFollowers
3.8 kFollowers