Is this a Lancia?

[lowdrag]

I was going through old photos of our tours in France and came across this one taken at Reims circuit in 1991. I know the E-types, (mine is the blue one) and for a second I thought the car going past was a Lynx Eventer, but then I knew it wasn't because no roof hinges show for the hatch. Is it a Lancia? If not, your opinions please.

[Damp Logs]

To my novice eye, it looks like a VW Polo mk1 - think the angle distorts it’s size and shape


Of course, I know nothing…….

[threespires]

I'm with Polo too.
This E Type needs a wash!

[Dapster]

Yup - air vent on the C pillar is the key I think.



My first car - a '76 Polo in Mars red. Great cars.

[emperorburger]

Never a Polo, it's clearly an Audi 50.

[Damp Logs]

emperorburger said:

Never a Polo, it's clearly an Audi 50.

I was going to say that but didn’t think anyone would know what I was talking about……

[Dapster]

emperorburger said:

Never a Polo, it's clearly an Audi 50.

Of course! Although you'd need a scanning electron microscope and a DNA test to test the difference. It really was a badge swap - not even pretending to give you anything extra

[emperorburger]

Dapster said:

Of course! Although you'd need a scanning electron microscope and a DNA test to test the difference. It really was a badge swap - not even pretending to give you anything extra

Let us look at the evidence. The first owner chose a metallic hue, a costly option no doubt. Would your typically frugal 1970's Volkswagen purchaser have entertained such an extravagance, or would this have been the behaviour of the more affluent Audi customer.

[lowdrag]

Thank you, the PH Massive. I had no idea an Audi 50 existed! Three Spires, your photo is far more recent because the whole place was derelict for many years until the new club was set up and they restored it. Personally, I preferred it as it was though. Incidentally, the green roadster is chassis #13.

[Damp Logs]

lowdrag said:

Thank you, the PH Massive. I had no idea an Audi 50 existed! Three Spires, your photo is far more recent because the whole place was derelict for many years until the new club was set up and they restored it. Personally, I preferred it as it was though. Incidentally, the green roadster is chassis #13.

I can die happy - I knew about a car that Lowdrag didn’t know existed 🤣🤣🤣

[threespires]

lowdrag said:

Thank you, the PH Massive. I had no idea an Audi 50 existed! Three Spires, your photo is far more recent because the whole place was derelict for many years until the new club was set up and they restored it. Personally, I preferred it as it was though. Incidentally, the green roadster is chassis #13.

Correct, it was 21st October 2012 on the Champagne Rally with Simon Rossiter's Classic Rally Tours. a regularity rally.

[classicaholic]

It didn't look that restored when we were there, great location!

[RobMk2a]

Low drag I just looked up 850013 - Ex Peter Berry Racing and raced by Bruce McLaren.

Rob

[lowdrag]

RobMk2a said:

Low drag I just looked up 850013 - Ex Peter Berry Racing and raced by Bruce McLaren.

Rob

And here are the two cars together at Silverstone.

[Lotus 50]

emperorburger said:

Let us look at the evidence. The first owner chose a metallic hue, a costly option no doubt. Would your typically frugal 1970's Volkswagen purchaser have entertained such an extravagance, or would this have been the behaviour of the more affluent Audi customer.

At risk of getting a flying parrot - could it be a mk 1 Scirocco rather than a Polo Audi 50? - or are they all the same thing?

[Mr lestat]

Our Motorhome parked in the same spot a couple of years ago