Rare Italian: 1967 Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato

At Barn Finds, we’re no strangers to cars from Zagato’s Milan design studio and manufacturing facility. However, only a handful of these classics that have graced our site have been the Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato. The early cars are the rarest and most desirable, and this 1967 example ticks those boxes. It isn’t totally original, but it has avoided the typical rust issues and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P. for spotting the Lancia listed here on Craigslist in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Rarity seldom comes cheaply, with the seller setting their price at $48,000.

Lancia released the Fulvia in 1963, with the Sport joining its two-car range in 1966. As had been the case previously, Lancia handed the design and manufacturing of the distinctive Coupe body to coachbuilders, Zagato. Our featured Zagato is a Series 1b variant, and those with previous experience with Lancia models will welcome the news that Zagato manufactured the body of these early cars from aluminum. The company transitioned to steel in around 1968, making these the most desirable examples. It means that panel rust is not an issue, and a life spent in California means that the underside has avoided the dreaded tin worm. The vehicle is rock-solid, and apart from the distinctive styling, it has a couple of rather quirky design features. The rear hatch in the above image is partly open, and this is intentional. It is typically closed, but Zagato integrated a power mechanism that allows the driver to “crack open” the hatch slightly for improved cabin ventilation. The other is the hood. Most cars have the hinges on the front or back edges, but the hood on the Sport Zagato is side-hinged, as you will see in this article’s final photo. The seller admits that the current paint color isn’t original: the car left the factory wearing Blu Mendoza, but a previous owner performed a color change as part of a cosmetic refresh in the 1990s. It holds an impressive shine, with no cosmetic issues. The original trim is in good condition, and the deal includes a complete set of seals. That is welcome news, because eliminating any future moisture leaks in a timely fashion is one way to help stop rust before it starts. Rounding out the exterior is a set of elegant Cromodora alloy wheels.

The 1990s cosmetic refresh included an interior retrim, and the lack of deterioration indicates a car that has been treated respectfully. The upholstered surfaces are free from wear, and the timber dash fascia looks immaculate. The matching wheel is equally impressive, while the gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings. Interestingly, Lancia marketed this version of the Sport Zagato as a “2+1,” although rear passenger space is extremely cramped, and wouldn’t be a place that I’d want to spend hours.

Initially released with a 1.2-liter engine, the Series 1b upgrade motivated Lancia to slot its 1.3-liter narrow-angle V4 under the hood of the Sport Zagato. Its official power and torque figures of 86hp and 83 ft/lbs represented a slight gain over the smaller motor, but the performance gains were pretty minor. Power is fed to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transaxle, while the standard four-wheel disc brakes stop the Zagato on a dime. The seller indicates they have recently invested a significant amount of time and effort into this Lancia, ensuring that its servicing is up to date and that any shortcomings have been addressed. The results justified the effort because potential buyers can consider this beauty a turnkey proposition with no issues.

Various sources seem to confirm the seller’s claim that only about 700 examples of the Series 1b Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato were produced. That’s what makes this 1967 Zagato so desirable, and justifies the seller’s asking price. It would be wonderful if it wore its original trim and paint, but the fact that it has been meticulously maintained and avoided the rust issues for which the marque seems to be a byword makes it worth a closer look.