Another Gamma.....

[Betaboy2.0]

Well, a bit of an update time to bore you all with!

 

As if a nice series one Gamma Berlina and a delivery mileage S2 Gamma Berlina , plus a few Betas an other assorted bits of old tat weren't enough to contend with, on ebay just before Christmas popped up another series 2 Gamma Berlina - in autoshite metallic beige!

 

I missed out on this car 12 years ago, and with there being fewer Gamma S2 berlinas around these days than Tory voters, I thought it had to be done! After all, 12 years ago it wasn't ion bad condition - so a Lancia 12 years on, how bad could it possibly be.

 

So, with rose tinted spectacles firmly in place I bid..... and WON !!!!

 

Oh dear.

 

Poor Percival the Gamma. Time hasn't been kind, BUT a day spent with the washing and cleaning, some of the metallic beigeness shone through from the decade of moss! Another day learning about fuel injectors got him running, and so, although mightily far off an MOT, he at least starts and can be driven around the drive, and I can imagine what he will one day be like.

 

Interestingly (well, I think it is interesting!!) Percival was registered on 29 September 1982. Nigella my 78mile Gamma was registered on 1st August 1985. Can you believe (yes, you probably can) that in fact, Percival is a later chassis number than Nigella, just showing what a state Lancia got into in the early 80's with their sales and stock control.

 

Anyway, I'm waffling. For your perusal, some pics! (If I have managed to work out how to post them on here!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the camera is somewhat flattering!!

 

 

 

 

BUt who could hate this 80's ness of chocolate brown interior!!

 

[Betaboy2.0]

Well, that worked, so here are some more pics!

 

 

 

 

 

[shedvan]

Red hot, I think I shall have to go and lie down on a darkened room.

[dollywobbler]

Good grief. I've seen Doilies with less frillyness than that! Top save. Good luck with it.

[pandarus]

Now that is what I call real Italian rust! Good luck with the resto

[Shep Shepherd]

I wonder how it would have fared if it had been kept in a garage or carport for the past 12 years? Even so, I'm surprised how decent it looks

[RoadworkUK]

Have to say I really love the juxtaposition of crumbly Lancia and shiny Aston-Martin...

[garethj]

That's wonderful.

 

The first time I saw a Gamma coupe for real it was so beautiful I almost wept with joy. It didn't go, was completely rotten and this was 20 years ago. But I've loved Gammas ever since.

[nigel bickle]

Perchance, did you buy that in Storrington,West Sussex?

[michael t]

wow, its as if the previous owner smeared the thing with mold in order to preserve the paintwork, that rust looks nasty though, best of luck with it

[Spiny Norman]

Great stuff, old George would be proud.

[ProgRocker]

Nice buy, Betaboy. The best of British luck with it.

 

That Gamma is a very similar shade of gold to my old yawnfest D reg Escort.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I remember seeing that on eBay, it was on the south coast somewhere, the lad had a Trevi as well. It looks great man!!! I’m sure that rust can be fettled, it doesn’t look too hellish.

 

Hey betaboy, do you have any record of a blue Gamma Berlina, reg no. HNV64T? I remember cycling past it in Peterborough a few years ago, the guy offered to sell it to me for not a lot but I didn’t buy it. It had engine problems and no exhaust and had been in a shed for a good few years. Then I saw it for sale on ebay a couple of years later in Suffolk I think.

[Betaboy2.0]

If it had been properly stored it should look something like Nigella!

 

 

I have a lot of the body panels required, but it will be taking it's place in the queue.

 

Yes - got it from West Sussex from a chap with lots of neglected Lancias! His Trevi tempted me too - but for once i saw sense!

 

I Don't recognise the reg of the one you mention Mr B, but I do recall a Blue Gamma Berlina on the bay last year (or maybe the year before) that was in that area. It didn't have engine issues though, just a bit of grot around the scuttle. It sold, and then disappeared. No doubt it will resurface at some future point!

[Skizzer]

He's magnificent, Andy, well saved. I dare say the chap who does your welding is rolling his eyes!

 

I've been wrestling with the urge to buy that beige late S2 Coupe that (a far as I know) is still for sale at the moment. Funds are earmarked for Jag and Dedra restoration... mighty tempting though. These are such lovely things: elegant, brave and misunderstood.

[carlo]

Wonderful thread, and wonderful machine. Sort of cumbersome and elegant at the same time.