Egregious Lancia purchase from salty sea island and watery lakes. NOW WITH RUST PERVAGE and WEIRD ITALIAN VANS

28,756 · May 1, 2017

So I've laboured under a misapprehension all these years? Damn you man for trampling on a boy's dreams like this!

Ok, fair enough in fact. Somehow I had failed to notice the divergence. Anyway it was still a bloody fast car with quite nice velour seats. Especially as it cost the princely sum of Â£40. Those were the days...

May 1, 2017

Fiats stayed RWD with longitudinal engines after Lancias went to FWD with transverse engines. There were differences in sump and other things too, IIRC.

May 1, 2017

The Fiat Twin cam is a legend, perhaps more so than the Lancia version. Aurelio Lampredi was a God, up there with Busso and Pininfarina and Spen King and Chapman and various other heroes of motors, engineering, and design.

2,188 · May 1, 2017

Wheels look good

on a panda!

9,778 · May 1, 2017

I'm gonna utter those famous last words and say it doesnt look that bad TBH, I will be interested to see what Al Bundy uncovers but it looks honest enough. I reckon that red VX one had some pretty serious internal rust problems in its sills and A-pillars, that this one has probably escaped thus far.

It's not, but who knows really unless you strip completely and soda blast the shell, the rest of it is in great condition (I hope )

May 1, 2017

Wheels look good

...

on a panda!

IMG_0712 (1).JPG

Some tosser tried to steal the wheels from my Beta Spyder one night circa 2012. Now I know why.

May 1, 2017

I'm gonna utter those famous last words and say it doesnt look that bad TBH, I will be interested to see what Al Bundy uncovers but it looks honest enough. I reckon that red VX one had some pretty serious internal rust problems in its sills and A-pillars, that this one has probably escaped thus far.

Tru all dat, and hopes N dreamz and so on. This one does have some wob, but may not be too terrifying. My Spyder had mildly crusty valances and some wobbage in one C pillar, but was generally OK.

43,507 · May 2, 2017

my problem has been that I've owned Lancia Betas in every shape except Berlina (ie - Coupe, Spyder, and HPE), and with every engine except the 1600 (2000 NA, 2000 Volumex, 2000 ie, and 1300). (Hang on, was there also an 1800? I forget.)

You also need to add a Trevi on that bucket list

At one time five or so years ago I had on the driveway (for my sins) two Beta S3 Berlina and a Trevi. One of the Betas was LHD, adding to the excitement of that weird dashboard.

The original 1st-series Beta line up matched the displacement of the Fiat range: 1400 and 1800

108,850 · May 2, 2017

Fiats stayed RWD with longitudinal engines after Lancias went to FWD with transverse engines. There were differences in sump and other things too, IIRC.

Didn't Lancia pioneer front wheel drive in Italy?

AFAIK they extensively used it from the early 60s onwards, being the only Italian automaker to do so at the time.

Aurelio Lampredi was a God, up there with Busso and Pininfarina and Spen King and Chapman and various other heroes of motors, engineering, and design.

Yeah, but not up with Ed Cole or George Huebner.

43,507 · May 2, 2017

A 2000 Berlina. Great dashboard, but dull exterior, I think. I did not know that 2000 saloons came with steelies. The ad says top of the range, but would that not have meant alloys? Or were alloys only standard on the Coupes, HPEs and Spyders? The saloon version of the Beta is odd in that it looks nothing like its sportier siblings. Having said that, a Montecarlo is, strictly speaking, a Beta, but looks completely unlike one and is RWD.

Steel was standard across the Berlina range, although many dealers fitted them to the 2000 to differentiate the price difference - there isn't a great deal between them and the 1600. Same Cromodora sets were available as options. Alloys were fitted to the ES special edition.

The saloon is odd as it was conceived many years earlier. I did read somewhere it was originally penned for Citroen. Squint, and perhaps it does seem credible.

The Montecarlo was always meant to be a Fiat, the X1/20 in fact. But they decided right before the motor show debut that they could get charge more for it with a more 'upmarket' Lancia badge. Hence why it was shown as a Lancia, with press material to match.

I'm genuinely pleased this lovely S1 Manx Coupe is now 'in the fold'

May 2, 2017

Ironically many 70s to 90s Fiats are now more valuable than many Lancias (leaving aside Fulvias and Stratos and Integrales), I assume because of the market's perceptions as to rustability. Markets are not rational. For example, BMW 2002 tiis are worth up to three times more than Dolomite Sprints, even though the two cars are more or less as good as one another, and some say the Sprint just edges it (I have driven both and I agree with this view). I like this well enough, because I can afford a Sprint, but can't afford a 2002. I can't afford hot Alfas or Fiats, but I can afford some Lancias.

43,507 · May 2, 2017

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the 1600 the same engine used in the 1600 Twink Supermirafiori?

The Lancia engine is canted, heads are ported differently (slightly higher output), cam boxes also differ due to the different mounting angles requiring different locations for the oil return holes. Likewise, sump and oil pump differ.

Blocks aren't the same due to the driveshaft housing as part of the casting. Mount points are the same however, so can be interchangable if you don't mind that redundant attachment getting in the way

And breathe

43,507 · May 2, 2017

Didn't Lancia pioneer front wheel drive in Italy?
AFAIK they extensively used it from the early 60s onwards, being the only Italian automaker to do so at the time.

During 1954, Alfa-Romeo experimented a transverse-mounted FWD compact car named "33". If Alfa-Romeo had succeeded production, it would precede the Morris Mini Minor as the first 'modern' European FWD compact car. But, no.

Lancia Flavia (1961) and Fulvia (1963): FWD with inline engine ahead of gearbox and driveline.

Autobianchi (FIAT) Primula (1964): a hatchback with FWD and end-on offset gearbox (not underneath, as BMC enjoyed) with unequal length driveshafting. The template for the typical modern car layout.

The Alfa Romeo F12 (1967) was a FWD van, inline four twin cam engine for Giulia range (as well as a Perkins derv) and they made these to 1983

May 5, 2017

Plan Beta now involves the car taking a trip to Leicester, for spakletastic electro magic, and then a trip to Newcastle, because reasons. Possibly a trip to Shitefest, but not sure yet, because logistics.

May 6, 2017

I hope that the interior can clean up to look a bit like this -

May 6, 2017

During 1954, Alfa-Romeo experimented a transverse-mounted FWD compact car named "33". If Alfa-Romeo had succeeded production, it would precede the Morris Mini Minor as the first 'modern' European FWD compact car. But, no.

Lancia Flavia (1961) and Fulvia (1963): FWD with inline engine ahead of gearbox and driveline.

Autobianchi (FIAT) Primula (1964): a hatchback with FWD and end-on offset gearbox (not underneath, as BMC enjoyed) with unequal length driveshafting. The template for the typical modern car layout.

The Alfa Romeo F12 (1967) was a FWD van, inline four twin cam engine for Giulia range (as well as a Perkins derv) and they made these to 1983

I would chew my own nadgers off and serve them up in a risotto if I could get one of those vans in return.

1,846 · May 6, 2017

I hope that the interior can clean up to look a bit like this -

Such a brilliant early interior.

My Dad had an S1 1600 Saloon that went like the clappers. After Lancia bought it back to crush it he rushed out and got a late S2 1600 saloon (slightly smaller engine displacement and less verve for sure).

108,850 · May 6, 2017

During 1954, Alfa-Romeo experimented a transverse-mounted FWD compact car named "33". If Alfa-Romeo had succeeded production, it would precede the Morris Mini Minor as the first 'modern' European FWD compact car. But, no.

Lancia Flavia (1961) and Fulvia (1963): FWD with inline engine ahead of gearbox and driveline.

Autobianchi (FIAT) Primula (1964): a hatchback with FWD and end-on offset gearbox (not underneath, as BMC enjoyed) with unequal length driveshafting. The template for the typical modern car layout.

The Alfa Romeo F12 (1967) was a FWD van, inline four twin cam engine for Giulia range (as well as a Perkins derv) and they made these to 1983

Yeah, I know, there were even some FWD attempts before the war, what I mean, though, is, that Lancia was the first Italian car maker

that chucked out mass produced FWD cars

108,850 · May 6, 2017

I would chew my own nadgers off and serve them up in a risotto if I could get one of those vans in return.

No nads chewage and risotto nommage necessary.

The only requirement is being in the appropriate income group:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C861112

They always were expensive and there weren't many made.

Their main raison d'etre was that Italian public services could buy small vans from a state owned corporation.

Italy, you know.

May 6, 2017

The Lancia has arrived at Al Bundy's place in Leicester, so now I cross my fingers and hope that Al doesn't find it to be lots worse than we think it to be.

This car is a Series 2, but pre-facelift. This means that it has the cool dashboard and steering wheel (but black dials, the very early white ones were dropped soon after S1 launch, because invisible). The 1600 engine lost a bit of BHP for the Series 2. Top speed dropped a bit, but 0-60 time improved a bit. I would expect the car to be a lot quicker than the 1300. The 2000 is fast, but not super fast. The Volumex has lots of torque, and is great for overtaking people. Beta Coupes, with the shortish wheelbase and good suspension and tyres, handle really well, and will see off a lot of contemporary and even later competition on twisty roads.

There is, by the way, a Volumex blower for sale on eBay at present. They cost about a K, and are used for kit cars, hotbox Minis, and pre-war MGs.

May 6, 2017

No nads chewage and risotto nommage necessary.
The only requirement is being in the appropriate income group:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C861112

They always were expensive and there weren't many made.
Their main raison d'etre was that Italian public services could buy small vans from a state owned corporation.
Italy, you know.

Definitely a post-Lottery acquisition, but absent the magic numbers, I must pass!

25,827 · May 6, 2017

1833980073595824

Spares car?

May 6, 2017

Italy, you know.

At least it is nowhere near what used to be Czechoslovakia.

BTW, my long term LUST for a 1300 cc car with under four doors is now satiated, as I have a 1600 instead. To think that I nearly bought a 1300 MK1 shopping-Astra for north of a bag! Then a 1.2 ass-engined Skoda for almost three bags!

Phew - wait a bit, spaff three bags (with maybe another to get an MoT), and get an actual Lanshia. I have added the "sh" as my Italian pal tells me that this is how you pronounce Lancia. He says not to say Larnsee-a.

I got 99 Problems, but at least all of them will be cool 70s Italian car problems (except for those that are uncool 70s German electrics problems), rather than my usual 99 BL problems, or even (kinnel) 999 GM or Commie problems.

25,827 · May 6, 2017

Yeah, but not up with Ed Cole or George Huebner.

Or Flaminio Bertoni.

#bias

108,850 · May 6, 2017

The Lancia has arrived at Al Bundy's place in Leicester, so now I cross my fingers and hope that Al doesn't find it to be lots worse than we think it to be.

Hihihihi...

BTW, my long term LUST for a 1300 cc car with under four doors is now satiated, as I have a 1600 instead.

From a certain age onwards men just need 1600s instead of 1300s.

In the same way they need trousers with the waist higher at the back than at the front.

28,547 · May 6, 2017

Phew - wait a bit, spaff three bags (with maybe another to get an MoT), and get an actual Lanshia. I have added the "sh" as my Italian pal tells me that this is how you pronounce Lancia. He says not to say Larnsee-a.

If we're going to be strict about it, it's Lansha - you don't pronounce the i either. It's just there to stop it rhyming with wanker.

10,796 · May 6, 2017

Skizzer, on 06 May 2017 - 6:14 PM, said:
If we're going to be strict about it, it's Lansha - you don't pronounce the i either. It's just there to stop it rhyming with wanker.

Or if we're being even stricter about it, it's "Lan-cha".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyiVTQTM04s

May 6, 2017

Following on from that YouTube link I stumbled upon the pinicle of the internet.

If you love lancia, fiats and Alfa Romeos with reel to reel tapes brown coats and dodgy 80s music. Sit back and enjoy the next 7 minutes and 15seconds.

It is brilliant.

43,507 · May 6, 2017

I would chew my own nadgers off and serve them up in a risotto if I could get one of those vans in return.

In my over-excitable recital above, I forgot to mention the 1963 Lan-Cha Superjolly using the Flavia running gear

I think these could be worth at least two nadger risottos over the Alfa F12

43,507 · May 6, 2017

No nads chewage and risotto nommage necessary.
The only requirement is being in the appropriate income group:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C861112

They always were expensive and there weren't many made.
Their main raison d'etre was that Italian public services could buy small vans from a state owned corporation.
Italy, you know.

Wasn't there some ruling that state services fleets had to run petrols as well?

That Â£30k Ambulanza has been for sale as long as that blue Trevi

Over the water and down a bit, nadger risottos can be had on a better budget

http://www.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-f12-frosinone-205128119.htm

6.000 â‚¬

http://www.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-a-12-anni-1970-cosenza-204147469.htm

15.000 â‚¬

http://www.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-altro-modello-1986-agrigento-201365524.htm

800 â‚¬

Looks like it will have to be that RWD Alfa-ised Ducato instead, then retrospectively fit a twink from a donor 75

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Egregious Lancia purchase from salty sea island and watery lakes. NOW WITH RUST PERVAGE and WEIRD ITALIAN VANS

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