Electric Lancia Fulvia - Revisits its rallying roots in the forests of Wales.

We take the iconic Lancia Fulvia back to its rally stomping grounds deep in the Welsh forests. This car was the start to a rallying dynasty that dominated the rallying scene from the 70's through the Groupe B era to the 90's with such cars as the Lancia Stratos, Lancia 037, Lancia Delta S4 and the Lancia Delta Integrale. Lancia are still the most successful manufacturer ever in rallying.
We've given this beautiful classic car a new lease of life by converting it to electric and take it one some classic Welsh roads.
#electriccar #classiccars #lancia

[@greglewis1839]

Some friends and I worked the Toyota Olympus Rally here in the states back in the ‘80s. I recall a tarmac stage where a Delta came drifting completely sideways into view from behind a building in downtown Tacoma, hooked up all tires, and exploded past us in the most furious way - I was hooked for life. Also partial to the SWB Quattros, as well. LOVE what you’re doing Richard!

[@n4thb4dc0]

i think we all want to own a Lancia delta integrale Richard LOL, I'm from a younger generation and my favourite rally car is a Subaru impreza, but i do also like the Audi quattro (which was racing when i was born LOL)

[@lupoalberto8384]

Great Job

[@saurannuraliyev1695]

Lovely autumn scenery

[@ianmangham4570]

Beautiful

[@tectorgorch8698]

One of the best looking cars I've ever seen.

[@davidwilker4795]

Single leaf springs on Corvettes and Model Ts! LOL. Keep up the good work, Sir

[@EUC-lid]

Yep. Transverse leafs. Composite on the later (front engined) Vettes. Excellent springs, provide a bit of natural anti-sway, lower CoG and unsprung weight, and more finely tuned spring rate through the travel... but more expensive than coils, misunderstood and maligned by the press, and associated with truck technology. That the C5R and its racecar ilk swapping them out for more adjustable coils was all the proof enthusiasts needed to "know" they were crap. It's unfortunate. I'd bet a bunch of new dedicated EVs platforms could benefit from bringing them back as they leave more space for batteries around the axles. Oh well.

[@paulbennett4548]

Beautifully reworked Lads, nice to see it used as an everyday driver. Plus you don't have to worry about that 'Infernal Combustion Engine'................................

[@austenchevalier917]

Favourite rally car - Metro 6R4

[@dd1309]

i'd love to see a rally moment with this conversion. thanks for the video.

[@pablopicaro7649]

Lovely old girl given a new life as n ev, VERY TIDY INSTAll as well

[@RHM6x4]

As a child I had many rally car favourites - SAAB 96 V4, ( I went on to have 3 of those, the middle one converted to a mild rally spec with round headlights works exhaust and twin webers, it lost out in the mid eighties though when I went to an RS2000 with an ex rally cross 210 BDA in, used nearly as much oil as petrol ! ) - but I also liked the Lancia Stratos, FIAT 131, TR8 and Metro 6R4, all fantastic spectacles in their own way - keep up the good work - Andy

[@dionysus101]

Great vid. I owned a Lancia Fulvia 1.3s (1974) in the early 1980's, same colour as the vid. Lovely little car, nice performance from the V4 twin cam engine.

[@briertonp]

My favourite rally car was (and is) the SWB Audi Quattro. I owned a 1985 Quattro a few years back and loved everything about it, other than it’s thirst for fuel!!

[@laurieharper1526]

One of the prettiest cars ever made, imho. My favourite rally car was the Saab 99 Turbo. I had four 99s over a period of about 30 years, although never a Turbo, sadly. The best car I've ever driven in snow. We lived on a steep hill and the wife and I (she had a 99, too) were the only people in the street who could get up it when it snowed.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

I've always had a hankering for a 99. 😁👍

[@gelvii]

@@ElectricClassicCars Funny you should say that... I am on the hunt to replace my long lost 900 turbo areo with a view for a ECC makeover.. Also, Lancia... my first car ever was a beta, still has a place in my heart.

[@giuseppebenvenuti2396]

Nice countryside and nice car. Should not be hard for stellantis remake an electric Fulvietta.

[@bigsweade]

That car is so beautiful. I think for me though, talking about rallycars, the Audi Quattro had such a massive impact on the rally scene when it came out. I was blown away totally with the sounds and the way it looked with the wide body ona nd all. It's my all time favourite rally car. Looking at them now, with much much older eyes - the fulvia is just such a beauty.

[@bettyswallocks6411]

I agree about the Audi Quattro, but I’ve always been a sucker for Lancias and Alfas. Unreliable at best, but so nice to drive. It was a Lancia that taught me that using a stocking to replace a broken fan belt actually works.

[@markburrows4158]

Had a Lancia Delta Integrale for about 18 months back in the day, purely on the strength of seeing the group b Integrale S4's versions hurtling by in Grizedale. Beautiful car when it was running, which was about 6 months of the 18... Replaced it with a UR Quattro because I got sick of the Lancia not starting if it had rained in the previous week at any time.

[@fydstar]

Are those batteries bigger in size now than they would be if you converted it now? It seems quite big for only 40kw?

[@ruftime]

Lancia Stratos is my favorite rally car……And I’ve been a Porsche guy/owner for 38 years😎

[@tc7539]

Favourite rally car: Renault 5 Alpine Turbo (mid-engine version). Won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1981. One of those would make a great electric conversion too. This year (2022) Renault made an electric version with similar styling called the R5 Turbo 3E.

[@PaulM745]

I totally agree! What an iconic car.. And totally insanely fast.. 😅

[@Paulman50]

Ford Mk1 RS 2000, what a dream machine.

[@rushja]

What a great car! My sister had one of these. It was a total heap of crap that constantly broke down. The Intergrale was the Don when I were a lad. Of course the Stratos was the alien back in the 70s and any Lancia is amazing. The Quattro was awesome. Metro 6R4, RS200, Sierra, Manta, R5, Celica, 205. OK so I seem to love them all.

[@Surestick88]

I think you mean an absolutely gorgeous heap of crap that constantly broke down. ;-)

[@hoomanAdnan]

Awesome looking car ❤️🔥 ❤️ From Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@andresilva8444]

My dad's Citroen GS. Most comfy car I've been in.

[@garyowens2710]

I remember standing on a wet and windy Clocaenog stage waiting for the Peugeot T16 to roar past and spit gravel at us. What a sound, what a car.

[@garyowens2710]

@@spudproductions7606 Very true. 😁🤙

[@pablopicaro7649]

US most states require headlights to be 24" to 54" above ground . from 1940 only the 7" round sealed beam was allowed until 1957 when 5.75" round quad was allowed also. 1968 law prevented protective covers (early vw and citreon)

[@devonbikefilms]

The headlights. Exactly right, the UK ones had raised outer lights because of UK regs for height above the ground. So UK front panel and wings are different to the others.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks. I thought that was the case. 👍

[@bettyswallocks6411]

“Let’s get started, before it starts raining”. If you’re in Wales, it’s already too late! 🌧️🌧️🌧️ Favourite rally car, for me, is a toss-up between the Lancia Stratos and Audi Quattro. A shame that Saab never produced a great rally car from the 900 Turbo, as they were great road cars.

[@jeffreyrwilliams9345]

Thank you

[@nunofernandes4501]

My favourite B series rally car was the Peugeot 205 turbo... but for looks OMG the Ford RS200 was gorgeous!

[@grahambeyer6254]

0:54 Ooh and Electrtic 6R4 please! I'd love to see one of those.

[@54mgtf22]

At the time, I liked the Audi Quattro. Now, as an Alfa Romeo owner, I love the Giorgetto Giugiaro design of the Lancia 037. Love your work 👍

[@b6s4shelter]

C4 89-96 Corvette runs one of those leaf springs in front.

[@HansAllrad]

My favorite rally car was the VW-Porsche 914-6 - I had two with following VIN-numbers...

[@ElectricClassicCars]

The best rally car EVER. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@vidznstuff1]

Always liked the Lancia Stratos

[@MrGMawson2438]

Great video mate👌

[@jimbodee4043]

So Group B 1980s I loved the Audi Quatro, original 4 wheel drive with silly turbos. But on my wall still a poster of and in the garage Got a Toyota GT-4 2.0 Turbo (road version) of the Carlos Sainz (Sr) rally car.

[@locknut5382]

I used to like the Audi Quattro variants. And Mini's.

[@jossentjens7154]

I do remember hearing that the US had some regulations about the height for lights, that apparently was the reason for the Toyota 2000GT to have pop-up lights, were as in Japan, they were not required. I do not know whether the Fulvia had the same issue… never heard that. I agree, my favourite rally car was also the Delta Integrale.

[@paulsmith4996]

Nice conversion, perfect for thrashing around in! I couldn't belive it had leaf springs, this seems counter-intuitive to me, I thought that just induced a bouncy ride? Could you use carbon-fibre leaf springs to reduce weight? My favourite rally car is the Stratos - highly successful and would have been more competitive if Fiat Management hadn't killed it off in favour of the 131. I am biasd because I own an original Lancia Stratos advertising brochure, which has a beautiful birds-eye view to show off all the luggage space! 🤣

[@bryandickerson5365]

You racing against an HSR made me look them up on Wiki. I had thought they were just all-out rally race cars, but should have known the factory had to have produced “homologation specials”. Being a “foreign” car nut in the US back then meant constantly being frustrated that we in ‘Murica never got the cool little cars like the HSR, GTI etc etc etc… Keep it up - I love the videos and the work you guys do!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks. A friend of ours rallied a Chevette HSR alongside us back in the day. It looked awesome and was very very fast. One of the few that could fight and beat the mighty Escort Mk2s. 😎👍

[@michaelgoode9555]

Beautiful car. I would have been trudging around those Welsh forests as well as the northnof England and Midlands stages following the Lombard RAC at the same time. We used to chase around in an old Escort Mk2 1300 estate in the snake of cars moving between stages. Don't know how we never stacked that car. Basic, underpowered yet always got us there. I am an RS 2000 fan. The Lancia was always too pretty to be a rally car.

[@whatsinamind4766]

Something completely different than the other comments but the video was a little bit overexposed so that the highlights got blown out. That made the video a little bit annoying to look at. A lot of detail in Richard's face and hands was lost, and also on the side and on top of the Fulvia in those shots where Richard was standing beside, or in front of the car. But I am a great fan of your work.

[@USUG0]

Lancia Delta S4, of course! And, when you watch videos of Audis Quattro coming out of corners, you understand why adding a supercharger to a turbo engine was such a winning move.

[@rosshunter9053]

Back in the day I used to rally a Datsun 180B, until I wrapped it around a tree. I was always a Subaru Colin McRae fan. Fun days, fun days……

[@neilcurson4505]

Ford Anglia, Prefect and Popular had transverse front springs also the Austin 7.

[@Monni95]

I never did drive rally, I was all into tracks, I did even try ice tracks. I wasn't even born in 1972, my best years were 1997-1999.

[@stuka78]

Beautiful! ❤

[@kerongranger2229]

Thank god for this upload ❤ After not seeing one on Friday I was disappointed 😂😂😂

[@kerongranger2229]

@@spudproductions7606 I’m entertained either way 😂

[@roodick85]

The Corvette has been running single leaf spring suspension for years now it's their thing lol but in the rear

[@dlittlester]

Wow. Going back lots of years... I worked at a Datsun dealer Eastern Ontario in 1970. At the time, the Datsun 510 was becoming legend for ralleys. At the time, a guy named Walter Boyce was the champion rally driver in Canada, and Nissan sent us an SSS 1600 for him to drive, and for us to maintain for him. I remember not much, but it had a whole bunch of lights and twin SU carbs. I believe Toyota wooed him away later.

[@Sn0wc4t]

I have to admit, I'm not a massive fan of the Fulvia. 70's cars have always been a bit "Marmite" to me. I'd love the joy and tinworm terror of an Intergrale at some point though. XD Favourite rally car? I'm Scottish so it's the obvious choice... Subaru Impreza 22b... :)

[@Watt_Ihr_Volt]

I am just waiting that finally some small highly modilar and light batteries will be developed that allow for dYI conversion sets for 4-6000€. that would also allow to cpnvert many many regular ICEs which would be highly sustainable

[@vidznstuff1]

You should live so long to see that

[@fedegalla1996]

How cool could be a Delta Evoluzione and an S4 made electric?

[@oilstovesandmore]

One day i would like to visit Wales .

[@oilstovesandmore]

@@spudproductions7606 I'm a bit scared of driving on the other side of the road😬😅

[@ad_fletch]

@@oilstovesandmore It’s ok, on those narrow Welsh lanes they drive on both sides at once ;)

[@EVguru]

The Abarth X1/9. It outperformed the Stratos a couple of times and Lancia got the programme cancelled. Otherwise, it has to be the Lancia 037, which held off the Quatros for a while.

[@martinlangedijk5354]

What a gorgeous car. Love the lines. What about Alfa GTV 6?!

[@ThomasDoubting5]

Wish car design would go back to cars like these.

[@joeg3950]

Is the Jensen finished? I’ve always liked the looks the Interceptor and wondered what the electric conversion would do for performance, etc.

[@Mike_Costello]

Any chance a Lancia Beta will be in the shop some day? That always appealed to me along with the Fiat 124 Sport an Alfa Romeo Julietta and GTV.

[@PaulM745]

As already mentioned here.. Renault 5 turbo, the mid-engine one. Crazy fast, and what a fenomenal car to put the most crazy Tesla drive into..? Get 1000 HP into that ride?? 😱

[@lesklower7281]

Does this car have a spare tyre because of the wheel brace in the boot and the best rally car must be the Lacia Strados at the NEC Classic Car Show there was a replica of a Lacia Strados not the rally one but the homoglasion one with a Toyota engine in it extremly good looks with reliability almost my perfect car l always say how do you make a classic british car reliable put a Toyota engine in it Lotus are doing that they have learnt great to see

[@briananthony4044]

The early Corvettes had a transverse leaf spring, but for the rear suspension.

[@gregmuon]

Corvettes kept the rear leaf spring until very recently, but for a long time it's actually be composite not a true leaf. Transverse leaf springs are a form of independent suspension and shouldn't be compared to the old style rear leaf live axle set up.

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

I had a Lancia Flavia when I was 18. Nice car, and a very smooth Flat Four Engine, NOT to be replaced if it can be fixed. It's interesting that some semi antique electric technology is being put into totally antique designed cars. One day you will regret following up my Technology, Richard. I DON'T need the Money, I DON'T need the bother, and I could do without the hassle, but I am considering registering some New Patents to add to my portfolio. Then it will be open to anyone, and you will not be able to afford it without going through my License Holder/s. I LOVE proving doubters wrong. .

[@a.bloke2.0alwayslearning.23]

"...regret NOT following up...." .

[@peaktraveller]

Your guess as to why the UK versions had higher outer headlights is correct - UK legislation re heights.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks, I thought it was something like that. 👍

[@harrytolitsas1537]

Stratos every time just bonkers brilliant.A Fiat X19 Protipo too.Faster than the Stratos but politics klled it.I had two and perfect for an EVing

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Stratos ❤️❤️❤️

[@cristianocastagno9680]

I am curious on the actual specs of your conversion. Range ? Top speed ? 0-60mph ?

[@robertwestinghouse4098]

Fulvia, the last great Lancia. I had a 1.3 Rallie and a 1.6 HF - brilliant. I also had a Beta Coupe - also good, but (and the Lancia people hate me), it was really a new FIAT 124 Sport. Another great car. I had the Lancia HF, the FIAT 124 Sport 1800 and the Alfa GTV 2000 all at the same time....again I am hated for my view: FIAT best overall, Lancia brilliant for the twisty roads and the Alfa best looking. Mechanically the 1600V4 was just a jewel.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Those are some good choices of cars. 👍👍👍

[@ad_fletch]

Yes! 124 was a bit like an underrated and affordable Rwd Fulvia. My first car was a 1400 AC model - gone but never forgotten…

[@robertwestinghouse4098]

@@ad_fletch Never had a 124 AC 1400, I understand they were great. I had the BC 1602 and CC 1800. Plus the 2 BS - the Spider (Convertible). I think the 1602cc is the pick of the engines, until you get to the 2,000cc. The will always be fond memories. Very underrated....

[@FulviaFiend]

Correct the Series 3 had the higher outside headlights to meet new UK specifications just brought in, prefer the earlier 'Fanalone' style though… Curious what the final weight of this car is compared to the original 970kg? Favourite Lancia is still the 037, once driven the choice is easy. ;) #fulviafiend

[@ianhaggart1438]

Was there really any metal left to get a good earth on......😉😊. Nice project as always. Wonder what my gen 6 celica would cost to convert its only got 56 thou ish on the clock and has the looks that I want to keep. Great vid once again lots of interesting talk and ways round things to be thought about.. keep up the cracking work. Stay safe 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@tuguybear930]

The lights were raised for the American market.

[@MrTubeuser12]

A single leaf spring across left to right ? ...my old mans '64 triumph herald had that set up on the rear.

[@GregHassler]

6:52 closing that trunk lid sounded tight 👍

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Yep. Like most classic cars things close with a thunk rather than a tink. 😁👍

[@robins262]

Super video. What is the breakdown cost of such a conversion?

[@bryandickerson5365]

That was great, but I would have loved to see you give it more “gas” to see what that 120hp would do. Regarding favorite rally cars: The obvious answer would be any of the Group B monsters, but I’ve always had a perverse attraction to small RWD boxes. Hard to choose between Ford Escort, Datsun 510, Fiat 131, Vauxhall Chevette HSR and Volvo 142.

[@bryandickerson5365]

@@spudproductions7606 I think you kinda read my mind! Even though I’m a life-long Datsun 510 fan, there’s just something SO cool about the flared-out HSR. As a kid in the ‘70s here in the USA I actually had access to Rally magazine and some British auto publications (I think my middle school librarian might have been a fan) where I was exposed to the European rally scene. Pictures of all these little boxes sliding around corners throwing gravel burned into my brain. Somehow the HSR stood out though - maybe it was because the American Chevette was SO wimpy yet the HSR looked like such a beast! You should build a Tesla powered HSR rally monster out of an old Chevette - just do it!;^)

[@bryandickerson5365]

@@spudproductions7606 Oops, I meant to rely here again. See above.

[@jinjin530]

Pronunce of Lancia is not Lansia but Lancia like you pronunce the " C " in Charlie .. so Lan cha . It meaning spear . ;-)

[@chrisatherton9641]

UK spec Fulvias had the raised outer head lamps for regulation reason yes. European and South African ran the standard configuration of level headlamps. A prettier look in my opinion and i actually own a UK version. 🙂

[@Surestick88]

Is there a strategy to using the gearbox to be the most efficient and gain range or is it really a question of keeping the engine below its redline?

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

7:45 - someone needs to go for a ride in a Renault 16TS,... Heck, an EV 16TS would be amazing!

[@MrGMawson2438]

Hello mate 👍

[@bvspecials]

Single Leafspring? Simca 1000 😉 Favoriete Rallycar? Skoda

[@murrieteacher]

I ran a Mk1 Lotus Cortina in the 1960's.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Such a great car. 😎👍

[@richardhewitt.easyvanlife.6957]

The Mini was a big winner of Rallying, until it got banned for headlights too low. Wonder if that why Lancia made them higher.

[@ramblerandy2397]

From a very quick basic bit of research it looks as though earlier ones had non-inline headlights [like this one] and slightly later cars had inline headlights.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

I'm not so sure that's true. A quick Google comes up with 1971 Fulvias with both light configurations as does a search for 1976 Fulvias.

[@ramblerandy2397]

@@ElectricClassicCars😄 I said it was quick research [yep, a quick Google Image run through]. Maybe it's a model spec thing? I saw that the odd one appeared to have two oblong headlights aswell, instead of four.

[@Munkenba]

@@ElectricClassicCars The raised outer headlights are almost exclusively on the British series 2 and 3 cars. I have an inkling that they might have sold them elsewhere but I can't remember off the top of my head, I just know that they specifically modified the design for British bound cars. Everywhere else in the world the series 2 and 3s retained the inline headlights and as for the oblong headlights mentioned above, those were only ever on the Zagato model.

[@Kostya82185]

👍

[@dbc105]

Beautiful car Richard. What batteries did you use on this one? LOL, I always ask about the batteries because that is the part that has to be the most versitable to have a reasonable capacity and still fit in the spots availible. Thanks again for another great video. DC

[@ElectricClassicCars]

LG Chems in this one. 👍

[@dbc105]

@@ElectricClassicCars Thanks Richard.

[@johnstone9206]

Twin cam Escort

[@darwinskeeper421]

Ford Escort MK I RS2000. I love the idea of a plain modified sedan taking on cars like the Lancia Stratos and winning. The original MK I is my favorite Escort. I wish we got this in America instead of the @#$@#$%^ Pinto.

[@michaelanderson3771]

Datsun 1600 sedan with a 2.4 litre and 240K front struts

[@bobnine]

1997 Subaru Imprezza S3. Or maybe the Lancia Stratos...

[@nduduzomazibuko8089]

vw mk1 please

[@tahaminaahammed2313]

what about 69 camaro

[@hugogreen4916]

You forgot The Aurelia.

[@julesviolin]

Do an MGZT next please Say 400bhp ?

[@eppot1]

Kilogram??

[@markwellington1254]

Ford Capri MK2 and MK3.

[@bugattieb110ss]

Yet another classic car ruined.

[@aldoartigiani8110]

Structurally and for the lack of active security said, it make no sense to use a hystorical as a daily driver. Even more, of to do that you remove pice of engineering line the v4 or the v6 Busso engine. Even more of you remind of the history of the car and of the brand. Want to electrify an S4 next? Buy a twizzy please

[@carlosrumbopedreira5470]

Sideways thinking? 4X4... Ummmm!