The Lancia Fulvia HF 1600 sits at the intersection of road-car engineering and serious Group 4 rally preparation. Top Marques Collectibles has chosen the specific car entered by Sergio Barbasio and Piero Sodano at the 1972 Rally Sanremo — a round of the International Rally Championship — replicating its night-stage appearance with auxiliary driving lamps mounted at the front. The result is a 1:12 scale model that documents an actual competition result rather than a generic team livery.
Front-Wheel Drive, Narrow-Angle V4, Aluminium Panels
The Fulvia Coupé Series 2 entered production in 1969 and measured 3,920 mm in length. Its defining technical feature was a narrow-angle V4 engine of 1,584 cc displacing ahead of the front axle, driving the front wheels — an unconventional layout that gave the HF 1600 its distinctive handling balance. For Group 4 homologation, Lancia replaced the steel bonnet, doors and boot lid with aluminium panels to reduce kerb weight. In rally tune the V4 produced approximately 165 bhp, fed by twin Weber carburettors. HF, incidentally, stood for Alta Fedeltà — High Fidelity — Lancia's performance sub-brand.
Race Number 12: Barbasio, Sodano and the 1972 Rally Sanremo
By 1972 the Fulvia HF 1600 was approaching the end of its competitive window — the Stratos programme was already under development — yet it remained quick enough to contest international events at the front. Sergio Barbasio and Piero Sodano brought car number 12 home second overall at the Rally Sanremo that year, a concrete podium result in an era of intense factory and privateer competition. The car carried white bodywork with the blue HF elephant badge. The Night Version designation reflects standard Fulvia HF rally practice: auxiliary lamps were fitted to the nose for the night special stages, a configuration visible in period photography from the early 1970s.
Top Marques Collectibles at 1:12 Scale
Top Marques Collectibles produces large-format 1:12 scale models — a segment where rally subjects are genuinely scarce, with most 1:12 production concentrated on road and Formula 1 cars. This release reproduces the Barbasio/Sodano No. 12 entry with its night-stage auxiliary lamp fitment, white livery and HF badging. A display case is included with the model.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What was Barbasio and Sodano's result at the 1972 Rally Sanremo?
They finished second overall. The 1972 Rally Sanremo was a round of the International Rally Championship, and the Fulvia HF 1600 remained competitive that season despite the Stratos programme being in development.
What does 'Night Version' mean on this model?
It replicates the car's appearance during night special stages, with auxiliary driving lamps fitted to the front — standard practice for Fulvia HF rally cars competing on night stages in the early 1970s.
What is the HF designation on the Lancia Fulvia?
HF stood for Alta Fedeltà (High Fidelity), Lancia's performance sub-brand. The HF 1600 refers specifically to the 1,584 cc Group 4 homologated variant with aluminium body panels.
Does the model come with a display case?
Yes, a showcase display case is included with the Top Marques 1:12 model.
