Lancia Beta Volumex
Discussion
Sozza!
Betas on the rise indeed. One reason may be that the classic Alfas are now rather pricy. Another may be that people are finally realising that Clarkson knows dick about cars, and also that the surviving roadworthy Betas are either good ones already or are slightly ratty ones worthy of saving (eg that 1300 Coupe that just sold on eBay).
Betas on the rise indeed. One reason may be that the classic Alfas are now rather pricy. Another may be that people are finally realising that Clarkson knows dick about cars, and also that the surviving roadworthy Betas are either good ones already or are slightly ratty ones worthy of saving (eg that 1300 Coupe that just sold on eBay).
Coincidentally, I recently re-watched the episode of TG where they declared that Lancia was the greatest car manufacturer of all time, and where they spent some time beating up Coupe and HPE Betas. It may still be available on iplayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00p4z1y/Top_...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00p4z1y/Top_...
I have seen it. It's the usual TG nonsense, IMO. The Beta rust issue was real, but also exaggerated by pub myth, and it was cured in the later cars, which rust about as much or as little as any car of their era. I suspect that the unoriginal thinker Clarkson may also buy into the "it's a Fiat, not a Lancia" stuff, which (a) is wrong, when you consider what Lancia did with the Lampredi engine, and (b) is so what, because Fiats were often great cars in those days, anyway.
There may also be some FWD snobbery, although that does not stop people loving the Golf GTi and the Pug 205. BTW, the 205 GTi is indeed a thing of wonder, I think, but the Golf has always struck me as a bit meh and overrated, even in its early forms.
There may also be some FWD snobbery, although that does not stop people loving the Golf GTi and the Pug 205. BTW, the 205 GTi is indeed a thing of wonder, I think, but the Golf has always struck me as a bit meh and overrated, even in its early forms.
There are plenty of classics that are undervalued, not just Lancia, old Mercs for example - everything a Lancia isn't but still not much interest. Old SLCs are great value.
My very tidy slightly high miles 300CE 24 cost me £1800.
I think there are a few makes that are undervalued in the UK, with people willing to spend a chunk of change on British stuff while interesting foreign metal gets ignored.
My very tidy slightly high miles 300CE 24 cost me £1800.
I think there are a few makes that are undervalued in the UK, with people willing to spend a chunk of change on British stuff while interesting foreign metal gets ignored.
Almost everything outside the realm of the blue-chip Jags, Astons and Ferraris is cheap in the UK compared to other European countries.
Probably because the British has bought into the idea that changing a clutch or refreshing the suspension on an old car is "uneconomic" and you should lease a new M135i instead.
Probably because the British has bought into the idea that changing a clutch or refreshing the suspension on an old car is "uneconomic" and you should lease a new M135i instead.
Breadvan72 said:
There may also be some FWD snobbery, although that does not stop people loving the Golf GTi and the Pug 205. BTW, the 205 GTi is indeed a thing of wonder, I think, but the Golf has always struck me as a bit meh and overrated, even in its early forms.
That there be fightin talk. A Mk1 Golf GTi is a brilliant steer; it's still got a 70's feel about it but with dynamic capabilities more in tune with 80's cars- a lusty fuel injected engine, sharp unassisted steering, subtle ride and everyday chuckability (very benign to drive quickly even if the brakes weren't the Mae West) and a great looking little package - albeit not as aesthetically appealing as the pininfarina Pug. Mk3 Golfs onwards agreed but prior to that they were the real deal.Sorry, gone O/T.
Not a very useful post, but I have to agree, BV has it wrong! The Mk1 and2 Golfs were brilliant. Mk3 and4 hopeless (but very well made!)The Mk5 was back to form but way too heavy. (should that be weigh too heavy?) The 6 and 7 ? Well the jury is still out but the build quality seems to have dropped but the performance is still strong. The Mk2 is the pick of the bunch for me.(8v)
I have been a huge Alfa fan since forever, and, if ever I had any money, I would also buy every 60s/70s Maserati in the world, a Dino, and one of those delicious Fiat 124 Coupes; but I am a relatively recent convert to the lure of the Lancia. Now I see what I have been missing all these years. For some reason I had always wanted a supercharged car of almost any description, but had never got hold of one until recently. Years ago I stupidly failed to buy a fairly priced supercharged MG dating from 1938. I have had two turbocharged cars (a Saab 900 and a Fiat Coupe 20V), but the supercharger itch was one that I wanted to scratch. I likes me blower!
Breadvan72 said:
I have been a huge Alfa fan since forever, and, if ever I had any money, I would also buy every 60s/70s Maserati in the world, a Dino, and one of those delicious Fiat 124 Coupes; but I am a relatively recent convert to the lure of the Lancia. Now I see what I have been missing all these years. For some reason I had always wanted a supercharged car of almost any description, but had never got hold of one until recently. Years ago I stupidly failed to buy a fairly priced supercharged MG dating from 1938. I have had two turbocharged cars (a Saab 900 and a Fiat Coupe 20V), but the supercharger itch was one that I wanted to scratch. I likes me blower!
Saab 900 Turbo, I had one when I was 19 and until the gearbox broke it was great, cost about £400, used for a year, sold to a specialist breaker for £200...the mid range acceleration was great.Lancias....I have a decent history with them...had fulvia Coupes x4, sedans x 2, a few Dedras and grales....a nice HPE Supercharged would be a useful car to own (my justification anyway) for dog ferrying.
I loce 60s Alfas Fiat and Lancia, Lancia in particular are so over engineered, even the keys are attractive lol
The fuel injected HPE is also a fine beast, albeit without that blown toeque-a-rama thing going on. A bloke on autos
te may be buying the blue one that is for sale on carandclassic at present, and I may be helping him collect it using my HPE as comedy double breakdown transport.
PCD, if you have the time and space and will to save the semi rusty HPE IE that I bought as a donor car, it is still almost complete (I have only looted a few bits), has what appears to be a sound engine and gearbox and good wheels, and you could buy it off me at a mate's rate. A fair amount of work on bodywork needed. Sub frames - dunno, haven't looked.
te may be buying the blue one that is for sale on carandclassic at present, and I may be helping him collect it using my HPE as comedy double breakdown transport. PCD, if you have the time and space and will to save the semi rusty HPE IE that I bought as a donor car, it is still almost complete (I have only looted a few bits), has what appears to be a sound engine and gearbox and good wheels, and you could buy it off me at a mate's rate. A fair amount of work on bodywork needed. Sub frames - dunno, haven't looked.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 19th April 10:26
I had a pair of Renault 11 Turbos back in the early 90s, always fancied a 900 Turbo - I nearly bought a 60k miles Black 16 Valver (very tidy but had had a fairly nasty respray) a couple of years ago.
A nice flat front 900 would be my first choice, I've always preferred the way they look.
A nice flat front 900 would be my first choice, I've always preferred the way they look.
Oh now you're talking. My dad ran a black one with the orange interior for several years back in the eighties- brilliant car. Epic lag but when it came on boost very entertaining.
Lovely saab quirks, floor position ignition, heated seats (1979 car ffs), engine back tofrfront chain driven gearbox, seat belt swing clips and that boost gauge!
Really solid car, very cool.
Lovely saab quirks, floor position ignition, heated seats (1979 car ffs), engine back tofrfront chain driven gearbox, seat belt swing clips and that boost gauge!
Really solid car, very cool.
Edited by truck71 on Sunday 20th April 06:42
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