A Lancia icon with the "Z" mark

No, we are not talking about the "Z" of Zorro, but the "Z" of Zagato. Lancia Fulvia, precisely an icon that has contributed greatly to making the brand legendary in the world. Today in particular we talk about the elite Fulvia, precisely the Sport Zagato.

Elio and Gianni Zagato's statements were, "We wanted to synthesize in this model our experience gathered in the racing world, but without making a racing car. We wanted it to be aerodynamic to increase performance and reduce consumption. We wanted to show that functionality also pays off in terms of styling solutions and elegance." Fifty years later we can say that they succeeded.

Sporty versions of all Lancia models from 1965 to 1972 were bodied by Zagato. Engineer Carlo Pesenti, then the owner of the Chivasso-based company, always asked Zagato for the same thing: very special, aerodynamically advanced and very light bodies. Precisely in the period when truncated tails were all the rage, just think of the Giulietta SZ or the Giulia TZ1, a tail that went against the grain was designed for the Fulvia Sport: long and streamlined. This aesthetic detail attributed to this version reduced fuel consumption and a higher top speed (specifically 7%) than the coupe, proving that Zagato never sought aesthetic complacency.

The first series was presented at the Turin Motor Show in 1965. The press reception was immediately enthusiastic and Auto Sprint published, "The Turin Motor Show had offered us a surprise, the Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato, one of the queens of the show." The test drive confirmed the exceptional nature of the design. A Gran Turismo within everyone's reach, comfortable, pleasant to look at, safe and easy to drive. A curiosity about "affordable" is interesting. When it came out on the market it cost 1,890,000 liras, the Coupe cost 1,545,000 liras. With the difference between the two, 345,000 liras, one could almost buy a Fiat 500 (475,000 liras).

From 1965 to 1972, 7102 examples were produced and six "series" stood out, from the first with bodywork completely in Paralluman and engine 1200cc, 79hp, 4 gears to the last with bodywork completely in steel, 1300cc, 90hp, 5 gears, power brakes, collapsible steering wheel and other improvements. A special mention deserves the 1600cc derived from the "yellow head" HF Coupe. All were united by the very distinctive 4-cylinder narrow-V engine.

Twenty-nine examples were also built for the racing world. They won several trophies in uphill races, on the track, at the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.