1971 Lancia Fulvia Sport Coupe – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

Front-wheel drive, a narrow-angle V4 engine, and a fastback body by Zagato were not a conventional combination in 1971. Yet the Lancia Fulvia Sport Coupé brought these elements together in a compact grand tourer that blended engineering precision with aerodynamic intent. It was a car shaped as much by rally success as by Italian coachbuilding tradition.

Technical Details

The 1971 Lancia Fulvia Sport Coupé was produced by Lancia and bodied by Zagato. Mechanically, it was based on the Fulvia platform introduced in 1963. Power came from Lancia’s distinctive narrow-angle V4 engine, mounted longitudinally at the front and driving the front wheels. The cylinder angle was unusually tight—around 12 to 13 degrees—allowing the engine to use a single cylinder head while remaining compact.

By 1971, the Fulvia Sport was typically equipped with the 1,298 cc or 1,584 cc versions of the V4 engine, depending on market and specification. Output ranged from approximately 87 PS in the 1.3-litre versions to around 115 PS in the 1.6 HF-derived variants. The engine featured dual overhead camshafts and twin carburetors in higher-output configurations. Power was transmitted through a four- or five-speed manual gearbox.

The chassis used front-wheel drive, a layout Lancia had adopted as early as the Flavia and refined in the Fulvia. Suspension consisted of independent front suspension with wishbones and a rear setup using a rigid axle located by leaf springs. Disc brakes were fitted on all four wheels, contributing to strong braking performance. With a kerb weight typically under 1,000 kilograms, the Fulvia Sport delivered responsive handling and top speeds in the range of 170–190 km/h, depending on engine specification.

• Manufacturer: Lancia
• Model Name: Lancia Fulvia Sport Coupé
• Year of Manufacturing: 1971

Design

The Fulvia Sport Coupé differed significantly from the more angular Fulvia Coupé designed in-house by Lancia. The Sport version, styled by Zagato, adopted a smoother, fastback silhouette with a distinctive rear treatment. Early versions featured an all-aluminum body, while later cars, including most 1971 examples, used steel construction.

The body is characterized by a gently sloping roofline that flows into a Kamm-style truncated rear. Large glass areas and slim pillars create a light visual impression. The front end features simple round headlamps and a clean grille design, emphasizing aerodynamic smoothness rather than ornamentation.

Inside, the cockpit reflects Lancia’s technical focus. The dashboard houses clearly arranged round instruments angled toward the driver. The driving position is low and purposeful, reinforcing the car’s sporting character. Although compact, the cabin offers sufficient comfort for extended journeys, aligning the Fulvia Sport with the grand touring tradition rather than pure racing intent.

Historical Significance

The Fulvia played a central role in Lancia’s motorsport history during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Fulvia HF, closely related mechanically to the Sport Coupé, achieved major successes in international rallying, including victory in the 1972 International Championship for Manufacturers, a precursor to the World Rally Championship.

The Fulvia Sport Coupé represented the coachbuilt, more exclusive expression of the Fulvia concept. While not produced in the same numbers as the standard Coupé, it demonstrated Lancia’s willingness to collaborate with specialist coachbuilders even as industrial production methods became dominant.

By 1971, the Fulvia was nearing the end of its production life, soon to be replaced by the Lancia Beta. The Sport Coupé therefore stands as one of the final evolutions of Lancia’s narrow-angle V4, front-wheel-drive sports car philosophy before the company transitioned to a new generation of models under Fiat ownership.

Quirks and Pop Culture

The narrow-angle V4 engine remains one of the Fulvia’s defining quirks. Its compact design and distinctive exhaust note differentiate it from conventional inline-four engines. Enthusiasts often highlight the engine’s smoothness and willingness to rev despite its unusual configuration.

The Zagato body, particularly with its Kamm tail, also distinguishes the Fulvia Sport visually from the standard Coupé. Although overshadowed in popular memory by the rally-focused HF variants, the Sport Coupé has developed a strong following among collectors who value its blend of aerodynamics, engineering, and coachbuilt individuality.

Today, surviving 1971 Lancia Fulvia Sport Coupés are regularly seen at historic rallies and classic car events, where their combination of front-wheel-drive agility and Italian styling continues to attract attention.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden in 2021. This event, held annually in the spa town’s Kurpark and along the Kaiserallee, is one of Germany’s most picturesque classic car gatherings. In 2021, the 44th edition featured 300 vintage vehicles from 80 different brands, including rare models. The event embraced a 1970s theme, showcasing over 40 vehicles from that era. An innovative highlight was the “automobile fashion show,” where models presented current fashion trends while riding in open-top classic cars through the park. The event concluded with the traditional Concours d’élégance, awarding 120 prizes across 15 categories.

Conclusion

The 1971 Lancia Fulvia Sport Coupé represents a technically distinctive and stylistically refined chapter in Lancia’s history. With its narrow-angle V4 engine, front-wheel-drive layout, four-wheel disc brakes, and Zagato-designed fastback body, it combined advanced engineering with aerodynamic intent. Positioned between rally success and grand touring comfort, the Fulvia Sport stands as a focused expression of Lancia’s engineering identity at the beginning of the 1970s.