Lancia Fulvia, What a Passion! Interview with Italo Barbieri

For over 10 years, Italo Barbieri has specialized in restoring Lancia Fulvia cars, and he is a point of reference for many enthusiasts and collectors across Europe. We went to Genoa to interview him and learn more about the story of this Italian technical excellence.

Rosso Corsa Italia, based in Genoa, has been offering a range of services dedicated to Lancia Fulvia owners since 2010. The company is involved in restoration, race setup, sales, body and mechanical repairs, as well as online spare parts sales.

The Interview

Zeca: Mr. Italo, how did your passion for the Lancia Fulvia start and how did it transform into a business idea?

Italo: The passion for this specific model started somewhat by chance after I swapped another car, with which I participated in races and events, for a Fulvia. Gradually, I learned to appreciate and understand it better. I have always been a bodywork specialist: my father was a bodywork specialist and my grandfather was a bodywork specialist. Drawing from the family experience and my knowledge of the car world, at a certain point, the idea of specializing in the restoration of such a beloved model by collectors matured, and I dedicated my work specifically to it.

Zeca: How long have you specialized in the Lancia Fulvia?

Italo: For about ten years, although in reality, it wasn’t a step taken all at once. I started by alternating the restoration of Fulvias with normal bodywork jobs, then the time dedicated to restoration progressively grew until it fully occupied my time.

Zeca: You are a point of reference for Lancia Fulvia enthusiasts across Europe. Where do the cars you restore come from?

Italo: There are Italian cars, but more than 50% come from abroad: France, Germany, Switzerland. This car, for example, comes from Denmark and I believe it is the one that has come from the farthest away. Regardless of the distance, I always keep clients updated on the progress of the work, and there is always continuous contact through photos, emails, and phone calls.

Zeca: Why do you consider the Lancia Fulvia a special model compared to others? What fascinates you about it?

Italo: In my opinion, the Lancia Fulvia represented excellence in the car world for its attention to detail in both bodywork and mechanics, and for its pursuit of quality. For example, the Fulvia was one of the very first cars, if not the first, to mount disc brakes on all four wheels at a time when many cars still had drum brakes. The first Fulvia dates back to 1965, and Lancia has always been in pursuit of innovation.