Lancia Motor Club

I am looking at buying a Flavia Coupe with Kugelfischer Injection.  Once set up properly I believe they do not give too many problems but if they do who can I turn to for service in the Sussex / Hampshire region without having to go to the known people in Norwich.  Any advice most welcome.  I am sure some will say take it out and fit a carburettor.

Not aware of servicing facilities down south but Kugelfischer also on Peugeots of similar vintage [404] so possible overlap there.
There are several members of the Flavia Consortium who have well-sorted cars so worth checking there.

Brian

Not for Kugelfiuscher but in the hope that as far as classic fuel injection specialists "its a small world" he might know who is...

http://www.kmipetrolinjection.co.uk/index.htm

I had one back in the 1970s which was utterly reliable, once sorted out. It gave 32 mpg frequently and went like stink. It took three of us to the Nurburgring in 1976, towing an Austin 7 on a trailer. Regards, John

The world expert in KF is in Norfolk and not who you think! Google Lucas Developments. He is a busy man taking care of Porsche AG historic racing injection sytems (KF) but very helpful if approached in a commercial way (i.e. He is not prone to "freebies"). Yes you have to get the pump to him or the car but it will be worth it. He got my injector back to life in a couple of hours. I did the rest (removal/refit). Car started on the button after being dormant some 10 plus years.

I am pleased to hear that KF expertise is still available. My experience is that once set up properly the KF system is brilliant and well worth persevering with. As someone once said - 'more moving parts than most cars' and very clever for all of that. Please don't go the carburettor route!

 I had an 815 Coupe about ten years ago that I bought from Geoffrey Burgon (PZT 555) that was fitted with Kugelfischer Injection and it ran beautifully for the time that I owned it, with no problems at all. Geoff was a lovely and very interesting man, sadly no longer with us.

On another note, I do sense that in some posts here there is a somewhat negative vibe about "The people in Norfolk" (We all know who we are talking about)
I have known the people concerned for over 25 years, and have always found them all to be friendly and helpful, and always willing to give help and advice. I have bought many parts from them, received much advice (At no cost), and had a number of my  Flavias repaired there, some for minor jobs, and some for more extensive work.

Yes of course they may not be the cheapest, but the best never is, so lets give them a break and not disparage people who ultimately love the same cars as us.

We Lancia people are in a minority (See out membership numbers) so I don`t see any point in putting down a company that are solely interested in keeping our chosen type of car on the road.

Sorry for the (Minor) rant.

Bob

Well put! I recently phoned Martin at Omicron to ask if they had a rig to test a couple of leaf springs I had. The next day I was there and very helpful they were and not unreasonable with charges etc....

Well said Bob,
I don't like seeing suppliers like Omicron being knocked. They stock the parts in the UK and have done for years, offer free advice which is always sound and are often cheaper than the Italians. On several occasions they have sent me parts without payment due to CC expiry and I have never had cause to complain about the quality or fit of any part from them, unlike some of my recent Italian experiences from suppliers who should know better.
Chris

Second that, Bob, Chris and Tim et al

Third it?

Brian
8227 8)

For me Omicron have the status of "main dealer".   If there is someone else more local or with less overhead you'll use them, but they are there as a backstop for parts, specialist operations, or if you want and can afford their service level.  They are a good choice, but not necessarily the first choice.  "Its always worth asking" in the hope that the job can get done elsewhere for a third of the rate.

My own experience is now a long time ago, but the advice and assistance and parts stock and prices and service was first rate.  I was also surprised that the hourly rate was NOT main dealer and they had a range of people on a range of rates to match to the job in hand.  My conclusion as to why the bill climbed so fast is that they actually charged for the time things took, where a sole trader is more inclined to price a job or be embarrassed to admit just how long it took to - say - shift a hinge pin.  I've known friends at places where they have to find "somewhere" to charge eight hours a day, so if they are under par or get distracted by a lot of "have you got a minute" its gets tense as to who is getting charged.  There may be elements of that.  There is also a management and marketing overhead others don't have, but then the others are harder to find and less well organised...

David

I've always had a good and friendly service during phone calls. The only thing I wish they had was a good modern website with photos, descriptions, prices etc like certain Italian suppliers. Sometimes I think they keep the basic website so that you have to talk to them and that way they make sure they know what the problem is and why you're needing the part, thus saving on returns etc.

Thank you all for the many positive and useful tips. Feel happier now I have your opinions.
Apologies for not acknowledging earlier.

Thats what the forum is for Colin, guiding and informing the less able and indeed less knowledgable club member, hope it all works out.


P