1969 Lancia Fulvia HF Competizione Prototype

This 1969 Lancia Fulvia HF1.6 Competizione Prototype was the work of Ghia's Alejandro De Tomaso and Tom Tjaarda, Director of Design at Ghia. It was presented at the Geneva and Turin Auto Salons in 1969.

Ford had attempted to acquire Ferrari, but when the deal collapsed, Ford retaliated by competing against Ferrari (and winning) at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. De Tomaso envisioned Lancia as a company that could rival Ferrari, which would certainly strengthen its appeal to Ford. Hoping to engineer the sale of Lancia to Ford, De Tomaso hoped his close friend and CEO of the Ford Motor Company, Lee Iacocca, would then install him as CEO of Lancia. Fiat caught wind of the plan and, sadly for De Tomaso, acquired Lancia outright.

The Lancia Fulvia HF1.6 Competizione Prototype was intended to be the 'honey trap' that would lure Ford into acquiring Lancia. It resided on the tried-and-true frame of the Lancia Fulvia 1600 and wore a stylish, aerodynamic shape crafted by Ghia. While the world was gaining interest in the burgeoning 'wedge' auto architecture, Ghia created its own interpretation, combining aesthetic and athletic lines with aerodynamic functionality.

This lightweight automobile was given a unique, independent rear wheel suspension with oscillating wishbones, a 1,600cc V4 engine, an aluminum gas tank, a quick-release fuel tank, plexiglass windows, a racing-inspired clamshell bonnet, and a roll cage. The chassis was modified which allowed the engine to reside 30mm lower. The bespoke lightweight windscreen was 3mm thinner than standard and created by the Belgian firm Glaverbel.

Before the car was brought to the Le Mans track for testing in 1970, it is believed that it received additional modifications.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2024