1972 Lancia Fulvia SIII Zagato

Dead smitten over a little red kitten.

A little over four years ago I fell prey to the charms of this Latin feline and felt we'd never be parted. Fate. however. had other ideas and now she must beguile another.

'She' is an 80. 00 mile Lancia Fulvia SIII Zagato Coupe. Although registered new in theUK in February 1974. she was actually born in 1972 and therefore comes with a free licence to roam the roads.

Little-travelled over the last 17 years. specialist maintenance bills amounting to about £2. 00 record the efforts to keep her active. Though certainly no concours contender. she is nevertheless in everyday-usable condition. with all major mechanical components in serviceable order. The engine has no nasty rattles or knocks. consumes oil modestly. and pulls with vigour. She is MOTd and taxed until July next year.

The red leather interior remains smart and inviting. the various materials (wood. leather. headlining. mouldings) all wearing their age remarkably lightly.

The body tells a different story. Although she remains reasonably presentable. the 'cosmetic surgery' and paintwork makeover performed many years before my acquisition. and no doubt considered adequate at the time. would not be up to the standard of today's best restoration practice. The sill structures. though perfectly solid. are somewhat untidy.

The notion of waving 'arrivederci' to my little Torinese temptress was never part of my game-plan. until my old topless Milanese mistress availed herself once again.

I recently had the opportunity to re-acquire. now in a fully restored state. an old Alfa Spider that I had previously owned as a youngster. Suddenly the flicker of an old flame burned bright. convincing me that I'd be unable to survive the demands of attention and wallet from these two Latin rivals. So the little red kitten has to go. Fickle. I know.

So here she stands. a siren offering herself without reserve. awaiting your hot finger on the button. Good luck with your bids and I only ask that the winning bidder should treat her kindly.

She should be paid for and collected within seven days of the end of the auction please. as her garage is now required by the mistress who has deposed her. She is kept at my home on the southern outskirts of Birmingham and all viewings and test drives are most welcome.

If you have any questions about her. please do not email my friend who has kindly listed her for me. but call me. Mike. on my mobile: 07984 813350.

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