Lancia Beta Coupe
Discussion
Ok, I admit it, this is shameless inspired by Top Gear destorying one in Africa last night, but.....
What are Lancia Beta Coupes like? I gather they're FWD but is the handling still reasonably good? If memory serves me correct there is also a supercharged version?
I like retro coupes and I've found myself toying with the idea of a GTV6, wondered how close the Lancia got
As a 'practical classic' (second car, but used regularly) would they be any good? - I presume Clarksons example wasn't the cream of Italian reliability? And if they do go wrong, are the parts easy to source?
So, what would you go for. This,
or this,
edit: Just browsing the PH Lancia classifieds and saw this.... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/271150.htm do Fulvias really go for the price of a new TV?
What are Lancia Beta Coupes like? I gather they're FWD but is the handling still reasonably good? If memory serves me correct there is also a supercharged version?
I like retro coupes and I've found myself toying with the idea of a GTV6, wondered how close the Lancia got
As a 'practical classic' (second car, but used regularly) would they be any good? - I presume Clarksons example wasn't the cream of Italian reliability? And if they do go wrong, are the parts easy to source?
So, what would you go for. This,
or this,
edit: Just browsing the PH Lancia classifieds and saw this.... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/271150.htm do Fulvias really go for the price of a new TV?
Edited by Chris71 on Monday 5th November 10:26
Chris71 said:
edit: Just browsing the PH Lancia classifieds and saw this.... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/271150.htm do Fulvias really go for the price of a new TV?
Not normally no!!Yikes!!
These guys are near me and I think are one of the largest Lancia parts people in the UK. I suspect bits are harder to get than Alfas, but I'm not sure. You could do with getting hold of a buyers guide from a maggy.
http://www.betacar.co.uk/
These are the guys you want to speak to about Beta's:
http://www.betaboyz.co.uk/
Good club.
As for Fulvia prices, that car was either a steal or a well diguised shed ! Good ones go from about £3,500 for a Series 3 1300 up to about £30,000 for a Fanalone, the last ex-works car sold went for nearly £100,000 last year
http://www.betaboyz.co.uk/
Good club.
As for Fulvia prices, that car was either a steal or a well diguised shed ! Good ones go from about £3,500 for a Series 3 1300 up to about £30,000 for a Fanalone, the last ex-works car sold went for nearly £100,000 last year
I've still got one just like Richardxjr's, bought it in 1989, a 2000ie on a 'B'reg. In its day it was considered a 'drivers' car. I love driving it, a completely different experience, it's entertaining without having to be dangerously quick and the FWD makes the handling very safe if you want it to be. It is also quite a small car compared to current models, so feels quite agile.
Parts for the Volumex can be difficult (sodium cooled valves, supercharger components) but the other model's parts are usually obtainable from the selection of specialists (eg Betacar, Omicron and the Beta Consortium) or Ebay is a great source!
Parts for the Volumex can be difficult (sodium cooled valves, supercharger components) but the other model's parts are usually obtainable from the selection of specialists (eg Betacar, Omicron and the Beta Consortium) or Ebay is a great source!
nc107 said:
As for Fulvia prices, that car was either a steal or a well diguised shed ! Good ones go from about £3,500 for a Series 3 1300 up to about £30,000 for a Fanalone, the last ex-works car sold went for nearly £100,000 last year
Ah! Back to the beta then.....Has anyone driven one of those and also an Alfetta GTV/GTV6? I love retro GTs and coupes and I'm toying with the idea of getting one next year. To me, the GTV6 seems to be one of the most underated cars out there, there again, the last time I rode in one, I was about 4, so my expectations may have moved on a little bit since then
Beta wise, it looks like the sportiest n/a car would be the one to go for (2 litre?)
Not driven a GTV6, sorry, but I always wanted one too! There was a buyers guide in PPC recently. In a word, 'Scary' (to buy).
Yeah a 2000 beta had 120bhp IIRC, the blown Volumex had 135 I think so not much in it.
Don't forget the HPE, the 3-door estate. I had one of those too. Looks better than the coupe imo, and you can fit a fridge freezer in with the back seats down! Also avail as a 2.0 & VX.
Yeah a 2000 beta had 120bhp IIRC, the blown Volumex had 135 I think so not much in it.
Don't forget the HPE, the 3-door estate. I had one of those too. Looks better than the coupe imo, and you can fit a fridge freezer in with the back seats down! Also avail as a 2.0 & VX.
Really, can you remember any details? I know my parent's one had rusted away by about 1987, so that doesn't bode well 20 years later
I had a brief look into them before and I was told the V6's were better built though apparently.
Hmm, just seen the interior of the Beta and heard a bit more about the rust issues - sounds like a GTV might be more sensible (not often you hear that said about a 1980s Alfa!!)
I had a brief look into them before and I was told the V6's were better built though apparently.
Hmm, just seen the interior of the Beta and heard a bit more about the rust issues - sounds like a GTV might be more sensible (not often you hear that said about a 1980s Alfa!!)
Thanks, I appreciate it
edit: Seriously wondering if I could afford to bid on this, http://www.british-car-auctions.co.uk/default.aspx...
edit: Seriously wondering if I could afford to bid on this, http://www.british-car-auctions.co.uk/default.aspx...
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 6th November 14:07
Yes I like the look of that fettled one. It should go for more than that guide price if it's straight.
Right, PPC Oct issue 42. Buyers guide on the GTV6 runs to 8 pages to cover the common potential problems, so it's worth ordering a back issue if you're serious.
First, sit down, this will take a while.
Brakes not good. Upgraded disks (£475) will not fit in std 15" wheels.
Rusty bulkheads (look at bottom of screen), inner wings near turrets, suspension mounts, inner sills, rear chassis legs, rear arches, doors, wings, tailgate, bonnet, roof in 4 places...
... A lot of panels are not available inc outer sills.
Transmission, sloppy shift, loss of synchromesh, mounts, clutch is a bit of a pig to change
Engine, 2.5V6 should be 160bhp. Cambelts religiously every 36k but it's only coupla hundred for a belt change. Water pump, tensioner. Tappety cold start is the norm then oil pressure should hold 1 bar when warm. Check for blue smoke when you rev after idling. Head gasket & valve guide often needed (and should be already done at some point and receipted) around 50k.
Tuning, common path is the 3.0 from a 75 for 190bhp. Will add value.
Interior, pre-83 trim wears and seats 'cripplingly uncomfortable' but later, leather, more comfortable available around £250. Cabin looks nicer than the Beta.
Electrics, 'Absolutely everything can play up especially if the car hasn't been used regularly'
Really fecked electrics often go hand in hand with a rusty bulkhead; water ingress.
Specialist: www.alexjupemotorsport.co.uk
Feeling brave?
Right, PPC Oct issue 42. Buyers guide on the GTV6 runs to 8 pages to cover the common potential problems, so it's worth ordering a back issue if you're serious.
First, sit down, this will take a while.
Brakes not good. Upgraded disks (£475) will not fit in std 15" wheels.
Rusty bulkheads (look at bottom of screen), inner wings near turrets, suspension mounts, inner sills, rear chassis legs, rear arches, doors, wings, tailgate, bonnet, roof in 4 places...
... A lot of panels are not available inc outer sills.
Transmission, sloppy shift, loss of synchromesh, mounts, clutch is a bit of a pig to change
Engine, 2.5V6 should be 160bhp. Cambelts religiously every 36k but it's only coupla hundred for a belt change. Water pump, tensioner. Tappety cold start is the norm then oil pressure should hold 1 bar when warm. Check for blue smoke when you rev after idling. Head gasket & valve guide often needed (and should be already done at some point and receipted) around 50k.
Tuning, common path is the 3.0 from a 75 for 190bhp. Will add value.
Interior, pre-83 trim wears and seats 'cripplingly uncomfortable' but later, leather, more comfortable available around £250. Cabin looks nicer than the Beta.
Electrics, 'Absolutely everything can play up especially if the car hasn't been used regularly'
Really fecked electrics often go hand in hand with a rusty bulkhead; water ingress.
Specialist: www.alexjupemotorsport.co.uk
Feeling brave?
Thanks Richard
Just had a look at Alex Jupe motorsport - some very nice looking cars there, but needless to say they are 'priced accordingly'.
Interestingly, not heard about any brake issues with them before - I don't know if this refers to normal road use or late braking on track days etc. There do seem to be some fairly heavily modified examples going round and so a nice one is quite likely to have a conversion done I suppose.
So - they rust everywhere! Not a great revelation, apparently you could poke your fingers through my dad's 4 cylinder GTV when it was only about 5 years old! It seems a bare metal restoration and waxolying is useful!
I get the impression the sloppy shift is a little inherant to the transaxle cars. It seems the Alfa 75 gearbox is a common swap. Likewise, seen a couple with 75 3.0 V6's in too.
I actually really like the look of the GTV cabin. I was about 4 the least time I actually sat in one, but I've peered in through a leather trimmed (presumably late) GTV6 window not so long ago and it looked like rather a nice place to be. Can quite see myself sat in there, turning onto a nice stretch of A-road and listening to the V6 building up
Just had a look at Alex Jupe motorsport - some very nice looking cars there, but needless to say they are 'priced accordingly'.
Interestingly, not heard about any brake issues with them before - I don't know if this refers to normal road use or late braking on track days etc. There do seem to be some fairly heavily modified examples going round and so a nice one is quite likely to have a conversion done I suppose.
So - they rust everywhere! Not a great revelation, apparently you could poke your fingers through my dad's 4 cylinder GTV when it was only about 5 years old! It seems a bare metal restoration and waxolying is useful!
I get the impression the sloppy shift is a little inherant to the transaxle cars. It seems the Alfa 75 gearbox is a common swap. Likewise, seen a couple with 75 3.0 V6's in too.
I actually really like the look of the GTV cabin. I was about 4 the least time I actually sat in one, but I've peered in through a leather trimmed (presumably late) GTV6 window not so long ago and it looked like rather a nice place to be. Can quite see myself sat in there, turning onto a nice stretch of A-road and listening to the V6 building up
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