Lancia Beta Montecarlo

[SFTWend]

So, like many of you I guess, I'm often coming across cars for sale that I desired as a lad but never owned as an adult.

I've been reading Breadvan and others threads regarding Lancias, as I've always liked the Fulvia and Beta, and now find myself having the hots for this Montecarlo going to auction next month.

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1978-lanci...

I don't suppose anyone knows the car? The Cat C insurance classification makes the guide price fairly attractive and the write off status wouldn't put me off given the restoration works undertaken since.

[Fessia fancier]

I don't know the car, but it looks fab to me.

[mph]

This looks a good example.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1315803

I like the Beta coupes too. This seems good value considering the condition.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1268249

[P5BNij]

mph said:

This looks a good example.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1315803

I like the Beta coupes too. This seems good value considering the condition.

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1268249

I enquired about that white Beta a while ago, it certainly looks very nice. The asking price has dropped slightly since then so it could be excellent value.

[anonymous-user]

My Lancia Beta is being replaced by a Lancia 2000 HF. One in means one out.

[ric p]

SFTWend said:

So, like many of you I guess, I'm often coming across cars for sale that I desired as a lad but never owned as an adult.

I've been reading Breadvan and others threads regarding Lancias, as I've always liked the Fulvia and Beta, and now find myself having the hots for this Montecarlo going to auction next month.

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-1978-lanci...

I don't suppose anyone knows the car? The Cat C insurance classification makes the guide price fairly attractive and the write off status wouldn't put me off given the restoration works undertaken since.

I saw that yesterday, what a fantastic colour. Ended up forwarding the link round our car WhatsApp group as this weekend’s obsession. A sort in mini 037.

These are on my left field bucket list and whenever I have seen them in the flesh, they always look better than in a picture. An X-19 is also on that list but this is a bit more grown up.

Of course should have bought one when they were 4 figures. I think I paid a similar price for my 328GTS as you would now for a good one of theses on the early 2000’s! One was either underpriced then or overpriced now. At least it means these cars are economical to save I suppose.

[anonymous-user]

Factoid: the Montecarlo was due to be sold as a Fiat and called the X1/20, but late in the car's development it was decided to make it a Lancia.

It has not a lot in common with the rest of the Lancia Beta range, being mid-engined and RWD as opposed to front engined and FWD, but they all have Lampredi twin cams, the one in the Montecarlo being a sporty version with (IIRC) twin side draft carbs instead of the single downdraft carbs that the other non-injected Betas had. I also missed the boat on buying a Montecarlo when they were still cheap.

[CRA1G]

I have great memories of the "Monty" I did my courting with my now wife of 40 years while owning a Red one when I was in my late teen's which then to me was like owning Ferrari....

[SFTWend]

I'm almost certainly going to have a punt on the Montecarlo. In raising this thread I was hoping to get some background on the car so I could bid sight unseen with confidence. Also to have an online chat with fellow admirers and enthusiasts.

I suspect what I have done is raise the profile of the car and help it achieve way over guide! Hefty buyers fee charged by the auction house.

I'd prefer a car that's had all the work done and a bonus with this car is that it's had a brake upgrade, which I guess addresses the Series 1 cars tendency to lock up the fronts.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I noticed the buyer's fee. Seems high to me. I like the car though.

[stuartmmcfc]

I suspect that’ll go for above the estimate

I had to smile about “the more potent brakes “ bit though. Wasn’t the problem with the series 1 that the wheels would easily lock up on braking, solved in the series 2 by removing the servo?
I’m sure they work better than that now!

Edited by stuartmmcfc on Saturday 20th March 09:59

[mph]

SFTWend said:

I'm almost certainly going to have a punt on the Montecarlo. In raising this thread I was hoping to get some background on the car so I could bid sight unseen with confidence. Also to have an online chat with fellow admirers and enthusiasts.

The MOT history shows that it went from 92,820 in November 2006 to 39,349 in March 2011 with no MOT's in between.

Perhaps worth clarifying that before bidding.

Have to say I prefer the more expensive "genuine" car currently advertised.

[BeastieBoy73]

Lovely looking cars. I can see why Herbie fell in love with one.

[Fink-Nottle]

From the photos and description I cannot begin to figure out what the 38k GBP were spent on. 15k maybe, but where did the rest go?

[SFTWend]

mph said:

The MOT history shows that it went from 92,820 in November 2006 to 39,349 in March 2011 with no MOT's in between.

Perhaps worth clarifying that before bidding.

Have to say I prefer the more expensive "genuine" car currently advertised.

Good observation, thank you. A donor car was purchased and I think the gap was to build a car taking best bits from each. Assume donor cars speedo was used.

[SFTWend]

Fink-Nottle said:

From the photos and description I cannot begin to figure out what the 38k GBP were spent on. 15k maybe, but where did the rest go?

It would be good to see some invoices. It's the amount spent on restoration that made me think it would be a good buy. Maybe not so good if it goes above estimate given its Cat C status and questionable provenance.

[stuartmmcfc]

In my mind the Cat C is irrelevant. It’d be easy to write one off when they were cheap and there’s been a lot of work since.

[finlo]

It was re shelled with a donor car loosing the damage in the process

Paperwork may disagree though.

[SFTWend]

I'm struggling to understand why the owner would use a much better condition lower mileage car as the donor for a poorer condition Cat C car. Perhaps donor was lhd and not a spyder. Wonder if it is matching numbers.

I'll see if the auction house can provide more info and copies of invoices.

[MDMA .]

I always wanted a Volumex. Should have bought one years ago.