My 1970 Lancia Fulvia Rallye 1.3 S

[sameerrao]

What a lovely car! I wish they were more people like you buying classics instead of modern cushy cars with no soul. 

 

[TT]

Well, the little Fiat isn't technically mine I just borrow it from time to time (when not in a rush obviously )

[TT]

After a week of ownership and some 750 km covered, the Fulvia had its first real workout yesterday. I left work at 6 pm and had to drive to Lausanne as tomorrow we'll have a small asphalte.ch meeting and I can shoot my car with an Mk II 1.3S. It was late when we left, already dark and was raining in Lugano. I decided to go for the Simplon pass, as the Gotthard route would mean 400 km of highway.. too boring for such a car.

If you ever drove in the Centovalli you already know those roads are DARK, narrow and very tricky. Luckily there was nobody around, especially as it was starting to snow in the Italian part of the trip... quite stressfull actually, and the roads were damn slippery and dirty. Not having the possibility to spray water on the windscreen is also quite a pain and two times I had to stop and wash the dirt away with a handful of snow 
It took me lot more than it would have took me with the 964 or A4, but hell it was nice! Upon arrival here, I even took some of my fav backroads just to add some km LOL and I was hope around midnight.

Today I was out and about and well, we had some impressive snowfall, lasting only some minutes, but still scary when you're in a 38 years old car

Just took a couple of pics right after the sky cleared. Now she is resting in the cold air (no garage here ) and tomorrow she'll have to do it all over again in the opposite direction, YAY!

[gucom]

Nice! I can imagine that being a bit tricky in such an old car I never realised those things didn't have the water spray function yet

You mentioned the Simplon Pass; it was the first taste of the Alps (and the first taste of properly high mountains period) I ever got (I was en route to Italy / Lago Maggiore), and I remember being totally in awe. It's also an utterly beautiful road imo... If in any way possible, could u take some pics of ur car on the Simplon Pass on the way back? Pretty please? 

[TT]

Yes, it was the plan, tomorrow it should be sunny and I should leave soon enough to do it with daylight.

As far as high mountain goes, the Simplon isn't really impressive and there are many other passes around here which tops it, but if you want a challenging road with lot of "pif-paf" corners, weird cambers, blind hairpins and trickery conditions, that's definitely a good bet.

[gucom]

As far as high mountain goes, the Simplon isn't really impressive and there are many other passes around here which tops it, but if you want a challenging road with lot of "pif-paf" corners, weird cambers, blind hairpins and trickery conditions, that's definitely a good bet.

lol I know it's not all that high, but since the highest I had ever been up till that point was some 800m, the 2003? meters of the Simplon was insane to me at that time and I had never seen snowy peaks or any of that stuff...

Is it a busy pass by the way? Or is it generally low on traffic?

[TT]

Usually not busy at all, but I rarely use it actually, once a year probably, and always at night, when you can drive 100 km without seeing a single car...

When I stopped to piss near the top of the pass, it was really damn scary. pitch black, totally silent, temperature comfortably below 0° C, blizzard... I was wondering what I would have done if the Fulvia would have refused to start

[pterps]

Sweet car and sweet pics Matteo!

[TT]

Well, not that easy to take pics on the Simplon gucom, sorry 

[danidmas]

Awesome story Matteo!! I like classic cars... but I like them even more when they're used. Last saturday we went with a couple of friends to do some of the old Catalunya rally stages with the GTT... it was REALLY slippery, so slippery that I almost smashed the car into a rail...  but God it was so so good, and you just feel so connected to those old cars, that afterwards I got a ride in a Impreza WRX with exhaust pipe and 18in wheels... and it felt just sooo boring in comparisson LOL!

Congrats for the car, congrats for using it... and well, looking forward to chase it next June in the Euro Run when we do all these mountain passes you're talking about

[TT]

Yeh, as you might know already, I sooo second that.

Sometime you wonder if it really makes sense to use them on a daily basis, as it could be too easy to talk about it without trying, and too easy to point at classic cars owners calling them pussies.

Well, now I can finally confirm it is possible sure, it's not a long term relationship yet, but still..

My friend who owns an Mk II 1.3S also uses it as a daily drive and covered already 40'000 in it. Like mine, it has its faults, but well, it is definitely used as it was meant to be!
BTW, impressive to compare with him today the weight of my doors and bonnets (aluminium) compared to his ones (normal steel)!

[TT]

While going back home, I spotted a white Lancia Montecarlo probably for sale in a nearby garage... should I investigate?

[danidmas]

While going back home, I spotted a white Lancia Montecarlo probably for sale in a nearby garage... should I investigate?

Oh, I love the Beta Montecarlo, always thought it was a fine sexy car,,, very italian!! since you're really focusing on italian machinery now (Ducati, looking for a second one; Fulvia and 126)... I think may be it's time to trade the 964 for something italian

Is it white BTW?

[TT]

Yes, white of course. Tomorrow I have half a day of, I might inquire and see if it is for sale, how much they ask for it and if it at least barely work

[gucom]

hmmm that car looks pretty cool (never knew it before 10 seconds ago ), but still... you're showing very clear signs of an addiction!

[TT]

Luckily money is limited, or else I would be flooded with white cars 

[Schwalbe]

Congrats Matteo of your new car addition, you started to have beautiful white car fleet. 

Thanks for your great pix too. 

[wackary]

Well, not that easy to take pics on the Simplon gucom, sorry 

My new desktop TT, thanks! And again, bravo to you for actually driving your car! I know a few guys who have classic cars and motorcycles who will not actually ride/drive then for fear of adding wear.... I just never understood how anyone could just sit on such vehicles and not take them out and do what they are meant to do. Even Joseph Barber  http://www.barbermuseum.org/ allows his collection of vehicles to be ridden/driven occaisionally. Great to see you out there actually touring inthat car, it shows great confidence and a bit of courage. Bravo TT.

[gucom]

VERY nice pic TT! You're so lucky to live in a country that looks like that from time to time, and that classic car all on its own really gives u the feeling of "the old times" very romantic / nostalgic...

[TT]

Thanks guys. Many ppl told me I am crazy to go on such a long trip with a car I've owned for just a few days, but if cars really have souls, I guess we need to show we trust them

BTW, as far as classic shit goes, thanks to my dad, our garage will get a new addition tomorrow... it has two wheels, two cylinders, 750cc and first hit the road in 1976. We'll bring it back home tomorrow and can't wait to test it