Flavia Coupe

[peterbaker]

Changing the subject slightly, how did you arrange to drive the car back to UK on Italian plates. I only ask as a may want to do the same in the future.

[bobhenry999]

Well, the car is coming along nicely.
I have stripped out the interior and fitted new carpets to replace the worn out/split rubber matting, and re-furbished the seats which have come up like new.
The front bumper and grille surround have gone off to the chrome platers, and will be back in a couple of weeks, so I just need a new gearbox to replace the noisy one that I have, and I will be up and running !

[Angle Grinder]

Where did you get carpets? Do they come in RHD pattern and, if it ain't too rude to ask, how much!?

[chriswgawne]

Just seen this thread Bob as we have been away for a few weeks. Lovely story and a great car I am sure. On of our favourite cars ever was a 2000 Coupe (carburettor) we had in the 70's which was very refined, particularly on long journeys.
My impression is that the Flavias (and other Lancias of that age) of your vintage were very well built so as long as the body is sound, you will develop a long, fulfilling and lasting relationship with your car.
I look forward to seeing the car one day.
Chris

[bobhenry999]

Guys,
Here are a number of replies to your questions.

Peter, I managed to drive it back on Italian plates as the guy I bought it from added me to his insurance for a week so I could drive home, (He was a friend of a friend) and when I got back, we posted the plates and Italian registration documents back so he could de-register it in Italy. It was then just a case of getting it MOT`d and insured on the chassis number and registering it with my local (Chelmsford) licencing office. The new tax disc and number plate authorisation certificate arrived a few days later, and hey presto !

Angle grinder, I got the carpets off of Italian E-bay, they were Euro 49.99. They do a number of colours but not sure about RHD, its worth asking. They are quite nice but you do have to fiddle/ trim them to fit, but as I only wanted to replace the worn out mats for the summer until I get the whole car professionally re-carpeted by an upholsterer in the autumn, I wasn`t too bothered. That said, once I had cleaned up and put back the original footmats, the interior looks really good, so much better than worn out/split rubber matting. I can send you a photo if it helps.

Chris, I too had a 2000 carburettor coupe 30 years ago, and you are quite right in what you say about the refinement, it was a great car and the first of my (many) Flavia/2000`s.

hope this helps everyone, I will post new pics of the car as it progresses.

Bob

[stanley sweet]

What a beautiful car. I've always hankered after one of these but can't bring myself to part with my Fulvia which I've had for 19 years. I bet that drive will stay in your mind forever. Hope you had 'On Days Like These' playing. Funnily enough, back then my Fulvia had just come over from the Venice area too - but I didn't get to do the drive.

[bobhenry999]

Well, the front bumper and grille surround have returned from the chrome platers today, so that will keep me busy this weekend.
I will post some photos when I get the bits back on.

It will be good to get to drive the car again, as I haven`t been able to do so for the last 5/6 weeks, what with no bumper or number plate.
Unfortunately that will only remind me of the gearbox noise in 1st and 3rd, but hopefully, thanks to Colin at the Flavia consortium, I might be able to solve that preoblem as well in the near future.

[Angle Grinder]

Please let us know about the quality of the bumper re-chrome. I need to get this jopb done too, and finding goor chromers has been a headache. Had some very expensive, very slow and very shoddy work done by a company in the Heathrow area.

[bobhenry999]

The chrome plating has come back, and it is superb !
I have just got it back on the car and what a difference it makes, so much so, I have arranged for the rear bumper to be done in August when I am in Italy on holiday.

It is definitely worth paying the extra and going to someone who will "Triple Chrome" any items.
It may cost more, but in the long run is well worth the expense.

Just waiting for the weather to improve, and I will post some photos.