1980 Lancia Beta Zagato Convertible

Highlights

• Resprayed in dark blue

• Reconditioned engine 

• Excellent condition underneath

• Refurbished cylinder head

• Soft top roof replaced 

Overview

Sometimes Italian sportscars of a certain vintage are viewed as being slightly too water-soluble. So what do you do when you live in the UK but can’t resist the temptation of a two-door Lancia? Well, you import one from a dry climate of course. And that’s just what happened to the Beta we see here. It spent most of its life in South Africa, before coming to the UK in 2023.

The Zagato version of the Lancia Beta was built by both Lancia and Zagato — having been designed by Pininfarina — in an astonishingly and unsurprisingly inefficient process, which involved shuttling the cars between factories after pretty much every stage of the construction process. 

Restoration work was carried out in South Africa, with a respray in dark blue and a refurbished engine being fitted. Further mechanical work replaced most of the braking system and rebuilt the suspension. And a cylinder head overhaul was carried out in the UK in 2024. So the car has certainly been thoroughly seen to. It retains a very original-looking interior, which has also reportedly received some attention, although this hasn’t altered its 80s styling. All the gauges, plastics, and trim all look decidedly original, with some slight fading to remind you that the car spent its youth sunning itself on the Veld.

There is a reassuringly comprehensive history file containing South African registration documents, contracts of sale, and UK import paperwork. The car is now registered as a historic vehicle, so is exempt from MOT testing and road tax. 

If you’re looking for a dry-climate Italian convertible, then this Lancia Beta Spider is a very tempting option.  

History and documentation

• Manufactured Jun 1980

• Imported from South Africa to the UK in 2023

• First registered in the UK 1 Dec 2023

• The car had reportedly spent its whole life in South Africa, prior to coming to the UK

• Sales invoices on file

• HMRC letter confirming that VAT and duty have been correctly accounted for 

• South African registration document

• Lancia Motor Club dating certificate  

• Photocopy of Lancia Beta Coupe instruction book

• One set of keys

• Only one UK owner

• Current owner since Nov 2023

• MOT and road tax exempt 

• V5 present in owner’s name

• V-suffix age-related registration

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ exempt

Interior

• Beautifully original-spec interior

• It has built up an attractive level of patina

• The black vinyl upholstery is in good condition for its age 

• A few marks and scuffs from use 

• There is a little fading to the plastics from exposure to sunlight, although given it has spent over forty years in South Africa, there is less UV damage than we might expect 

• The seat covers are generally very good, with signs of light use 

• Manual seat adjusters 

• Matching black carpets clean and tidy

• Vinyl trim continues onto the door cards 

• Manual window winders 

• The trim around the interior door lock buttons is missing

• The nearside front door latch could be neatened up 

• Leather-trimmed steering wheel

• Inertia reel front seatbelts 

• Original dashboard plastics and heater controls

• Bold analogue instruments, reading in km/h

• No stereo

• Rear seating for two

• Vinyl headlining on the wide rollover bar

• Fully carpeted boot to the rear, with full size spare wheel

Exterior

• Stylish two-door convertible body 

• Restored and resprayed dark blue while in South Africa

• The blue paint remains in very good condition

• A few small chips and scuffs can be found 

• The area just ahead of the nearside rear wheelarch is slightly scuffed

• Body panels free from obvious damage or corrosion

• 14-inch alloy wheels

• There are some scratches to the wheel faces

• Original badges present front and rear

• Round headlights, with some slight fogging to the lenses

• The folding soft top roof was replaced 

• Removable Targa roof section

• The underside of the car was reportedly described as ‘excellent’ by the Lancia Motor Club inspector, having spent most of its life in the dry South African climate 

• The present owner has deliberately not undersealed the car, so that its condition underneath can clearly be seen

• Rubber-trimmed chrome bumpers 

Mechanical

• 1,995 cc straight-four twin-cam engine

• Rated at 115 bhp

• Five-speed manual transmission

• Front-wheel drive 

• Engine bay clean and tidy, with lots of new-looking parts 

• The underside is in very good condition

• There is an invoice on file for refurbishing the cylinder head in Mar 2024

• This included new inlet and exhaust valves, cutting and lapping the valve seats, and shims

• There is an old classified advert on file stating the mechanical work carried out in South Africa 

• This included a full suspension rebuild, reconditioned engine, new clutch, new brake callipers, pads, and hoses, new wheel bearings, and restored radiator and heater core 

• The seller tells us that the car starts easily and runs well, although it is still being run in 

• Great exhaust note

Summary

With extensive mechanical restoration work carried out already, this Beta is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. All you need to do is finish running in the engine, then you can lower the roof and blast off into the sunset.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Banbury, Oxfordshire.