Classic car to Italy, but which car?
Discussion
I have a decision to make. I intend to travel to Italy in late July, driving via Burgundy and the Alps with two overnight stops, spending three weeks in Umbria, and then returning via Germany or France. I want to use one of my old cars. I have done a similar trip before in an old car.
The two contenders are
(1) 1990 Lotus Excel SE, and
(2) 1981 Lancia Beta Spider.
Each car is in good overall condition, and I will deal with any known niggles or weak points before setting off. I will of course have breakdown cover, and will take tools, fluids, and some spares.
Comparative factors:
The Lotus:-
is faster
is more comfortable
is quieter
has aircon
has a great stereo
has wow factor for arriving at hotels
will be amazing on the Alpine roads.
is younger
The Lancia:-
is a convertible
has a bigger boot and bigger rear seats
is Italian
has cuteness and "che bella macchina" factor
is higher and so less hassle on rough rural roads and the unmetalled track to the rented house
will be pretty good on the Alpine roads
has lower mileage
MPG is much the same, with the Lotus just edging it, as it is slippier than the Lancia.
I have eliminated my Elan Plus 2, because it might be too delicate to make the trip relatively unscathed, and has neither aircon nor a soft top. My Europa is too small, too noisy, and has tiny luggage space. My Jensen has done the trip once already and uses too much petrol.
Choices, choices. I can't take both. I am genuinely torn as to which will be the most fun and least likely to give hassle (that bit is in the lap of the Gods). Whichever car I take, I will regret not taking the other one. Maybe the Lotus would be better for getting there, but the Lancia would be better whilst being there.
Any opinions? Thanks.
The two contenders are
(1) 1990 Lotus Excel SE, and
(2) 1981 Lancia Beta Spider.
Each car is in good overall condition, and I will deal with any known niggles or weak points before setting off. I will of course have breakdown cover, and will take tools, fluids, and some spares.
Comparative factors:
The Lotus:-
is faster
is more comfortable
is quieter
has aircon
has a great stereo
has wow factor for arriving at hotels
will be amazing on the Alpine roads.
is younger
The Lancia:-
is a convertible
has a bigger boot and bigger rear seats
is Italian
has cuteness and "che bella macchina" factor
is higher and so less hassle on rough rural roads and the unmetalled track to the rented house
will be pretty good on the Alpine roads
has lower mileage
MPG is much the same, with the Lotus just edging it, as it is slippier than the Lancia.
I have eliminated my Elan Plus 2, because it might be too delicate to make the trip relatively unscathed, and has neither aircon nor a soft top. My Europa is too small, too noisy, and has tiny luggage space. My Jensen has done the trip once already and uses too much petrol.
Choices, choices. I can't take both. I am genuinely torn as to which will be the most fun and least likely to give hassle (that bit is in the lap of the Gods). Whichever car I take, I will regret not taking the other one. Maybe the Lotus would be better for getting there, but the Lancia would be better whilst being there.
Any opinions? Thanks.
No competion...Lancia
It's not about the car it's the spirit, the emotion, the journey.
Mechanical competence has nothing to do with it otherwise you'd take the Ford Focus.
Don't you remember years ago the advertisment for the Iso Lele?
"Man's arrival is a fact, it's the way in which he arrives that is the constant source of fascination"
The flash of a stocking top is much more alluring than the arrival....
The Lancia !!
It Will turn many heads in France as Well as itally and it's a convertible.
In circa 1983 a petrol head pal had an X reg light blue coupe as his daily driver and he raved about how good it was . His previous car had been a new W reg RS 2000 , so he knew his cars.
If you ever get the chance to drive " The Route De Napoleon " Grenoble To Castelaine and on to The Riviera , go for it . It's Reckoned to be the Worlds greatest road .
In 1993 , i drove it on a camping holiday with my ex wife in my 86 Pearl White 5 GT Turbo ,( complete with 2 bikes lashed to the back ) via Calais , The Somme, Loire , Grenoble , Gap , Sisteron , Castelaine then on to San Tropez . By far the zest drive I have Ever had .
I did it again in 2010 in a van . But beware French T.....r Old Bill . We heard Many reports on our journey down how they were stopping English registered cars . 3 of them Chased pulled and nicked me for allegedly not wearing a seat belt . on the spot 90 Euros fine . They were complete w....krs to us , threatened to arest me and it ruined our holiday
It Will turn many heads in France as Well as itally and it's a convertible.
In circa 1983 a petrol head pal had an X reg light blue coupe as his daily driver and he raved about how good it was . His previous car had been a new W reg RS 2000 , so he knew his cars.
If you ever get the chance to drive " The Route De Napoleon " Grenoble To Castelaine and on to The Riviera , go for it . It's Reckoned to be the Worlds greatest road .
In 1993 , i drove it on a camping holiday with my ex wife in my 86 Pearl White 5 GT Turbo ,( complete with 2 bikes lashed to the back ) via Calais , The Somme, Loire , Grenoble , Gap , Sisteron , Castelaine then on to San Tropez . By far the zest drive I have Ever had .
I did it again in 2010 in a van . But beware French T.....r Old Bill . We heard Many reports on our journey down how they were stopping English registered cars . 3 of them Chased pulled and nicked me for allegedly not wearing a seat belt . on the spot 90 Euros fine . They were complete w....krs to us , threatened to arest me and it ruined our holiday
I, too, am inclining towards the Lancia. Maybe I should do an autumn trip to Scotland in the Excel, or the Elan.
I have driven part of that great road you mention (I was in a 1986 BMW 325i). The trip was only marred by a very uncongenial Quebecois hitchiker that I had stopped for, who turned out to be an ingrate and a general downer of a person.
Re - French police. Sadly, France, like Italy, is civilisationally divided between north and south, and in the south some of the uniformed officials are interested in, shall we say, folding money transactions. I was shaken down by Douaniers on the Petit St Bernard a few years ago.
By contrast, when I was righteously busted for speeding my Jensen through the deserted Mont Blanc tunnel late at night in 2010, the cop at the other end was very polite, efficient, and almost apologised for having to take 40 Euros from me. The transaction was quick and relatively painless.
I have driven part of that great road you mention (I was in a 1986 BMW 325i). The trip was only marred by a very uncongenial Quebecois hitchiker that I had stopped for, who turned out to be an ingrate and a general downer of a person.
Re - French police. Sadly, France, like Italy, is civilisationally divided between north and south, and in the south some of the uniformed officials are interested in, shall we say, folding money transactions. I was shaken down by Douaniers on the Petit St Bernard a few years ago.
By contrast, when I was righteously busted for speeding my Jensen through the deserted Mont Blanc tunnel late at night in 2010, the cop at the other end was very polite, efficient, and almost apologised for having to take 40 Euros from me. The transaction was quick and relatively painless.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 30th March 05:55
Sorry if I confuse you but it has to be the Lotus for me.
An Englishman arriving in a Lotus would cause much more of a stir if that is your thing. Also the easier cruising, faster turn of speed and, most importantly, the aircon in a hot summer month would make it my choice.
You're not going to go wrong in the Beta though.
Nice problem to have.
Next you'll be telling us about the time you had to decide who to shag out of Sophia Loren and Barbara Bach
An Englishman arriving in a Lotus would cause much more of a stir if that is your thing. Also the easier cruising, faster turn of speed and, most importantly, the aircon in a hot summer month would make it my choice.
You're not going to go wrong in the Beta though.
Nice problem to have.
Next you'll be telling us about the time you had to decide who to shag out of Sophia Loren and Barbara Bach
Lancia Lancia Lancia..... But one day i will do that journey again in a White Élan Drophead.
For some thing to remind you of France , You Tube " Hello - Goodbye " a little known and charming film . It was Made in 1970 and stars Michael Crawford and The Stunning Vivienne Gilles .
Crawford plays Harry English an Up Market Car Dealer, he drives some fantastic cars , accross sumertime France , Inc Jensen FF , Aston DB6 Volante, BUT the best just Has to be a new White S4 Élan Drophead. Which he really puts his footdown in on some fabulous Roads.
For some thing to remind you of France , You Tube " Hello - Goodbye " a little known and charming film . It was Made in 1970 and stars Michael Crawford and The Stunning Vivienne Gilles .
Crawford plays Harry English an Up Market Car Dealer, he drives some fantastic cars , accross sumertime France , Inc Jensen FF , Aston DB6 Volante, BUT the best just Has to be a new White S4 Élan Drophead. Which he really puts his footdown in on some fabulous Roads.
stuarte said:
Interesting to see how the two posts I have most recently looked at (this one and benjj's Slot Mags post) have both decended (or ascended?) into period glam shots. Must be something to do with the weather!
great minds think alike...cheers ben 
suggest new thread of "world's best glam-girl classic car shot"...am thinking some of the gerry marshall type pics may do rather well...
v8250 said:
stuarte said:
Interesting to see how the two posts I have most recently looked at (this one and benjj's Slot Mags post) have both decended (or ascended?) into period glam shots. Must be something to do with the weather!
great minds think alike...cheers ben suggest new thread of "world's best glam-girl classic car shot"...am thinking some of the gerry marshall type pics may do rather well...
I'm not complaining but I work in a school. I can just about get away with having a pair of Bentleys on screen, but a pair of Bristols... (boom boom)
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