Iconic Lancia Fulvia HF “14” Makes Its Return to the Principality of Monaco
From 1 July to 6 September, the prestigious Grimaldi Forum Monaco will host, for the first time, the exceptional exhibition “Monaco and the automobile, from 1893 to the present day”. Retracing more than 130 years of mechanical passion, it offers an unprecedented insight into the unique bond between Monaco and the automotive world, expressed in all its forms: the elegance of the concours d’élégance held since 1897 around the famous Casino, the endurance of the Monte-Carlo Rally, first held in 1911, and the performance of the world’s most famous street Grand Prix, held since 1929.
Across 3,500 m², the exhibition brings together around twenty rally cars and some thirty Grand Prix single-seaters, among the most iconic in the world. Pride of place goes to the legendary Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF number 14, from the collection housed at the Heritage HUB in Turin, which triumphed at the 1972 Monte-Carlo Rally, defeating more powerful rivals on the Col de Turini special stage. It was 28 January when the “Fulvietta”, driven by Munari/Mannucci, tackled the icy hairpin bends, lashed by rain, wind and snow, proving unbeatable thanks to its superior power-to-weight ratio and the handling advantages of front-wheel drive, while its rivals paid the price for excessive horsepower and rear-wheel drive.
With race number 14, its red livery and matt black bonnet – designed to eliminate reflections and embellished with the wording “Lancia – Italia” – the car on display still bears on its bodywork the marks of that achievement, forever linked to the name of Sandro Munari, who recently passed away. The undisputed star of the rallying epic of the 1970s, the “Dragon” from Cavarzere wrote some of the most important chapters in the history of the discipline with Lancia: four victories at Monte-Carlo – in 1972 with the Fulvia HF and in 1975, 1976 and 1977 with the iconic Stratos – as well as the 1977 FIA Cup for Rally Drivers, becoming the first Italian to win it and confirming Lancia’s place among the elite of world motorsport.
Presented in 1965, two years after the saloon, the Fulvia Coupé was designed by Piero Castagnero, who drew inspiration from the lines of Riva motorboats to create an elegant 2+2 with sporting performance. Powered by a V4 engine later developed in several displacements, from 1.2 to 1.6 litres, it enjoyed immediate commercial success and was destined for competition from the outset, becoming the spearhead of Squadra Corse HF Lancia for several seasons. The defining moment at the “Monte” came when the Fulvia had already raced and won extensively: its first successes dated back to 1969, at the Rally dell’Elba with Barbasio, followed by Källström’s victories in Spain and at the RAC Rally in England. But the triumph of 1972 marked a turning point, boosting sales and extending the life of the Coupé until 1976. To celebrate it, a special series was created: the Fulvia Coupé 1.3 S “Monte-Carlo”, inspired by the legendary “14” itself, which is usually displayed at the Heritage HUB in Turin.
Housed in the historic Mirafiori complex, inside the former Officina 81, the Heritage HUB is home to almost 400 classic cars from the Italian brands of the Stellantis Group, while also offering a unique insight into “Made in Turin” automotive design, made even more complete by the recent integration of the ASI Bertone collection. The Heritage HUB can be visited every day, except Mondays, by purchasing tickets online at the following link, with the option of choosing between a self-guided visit on weekdays or a guided tour at weekends.
