What to do with my Lancia Beta Spyder
Discussion
People who have seen posts from me before may know that I have a 1977 Lancia Beta Spyder. I am its second owner and have owned it since 1989 when I bought it from its retired RAF Group Captain 1st owner.
I carried out a rolling restoration and used it extensively from 1989 to 1994 then life kind of got in the way and it has spent its life since at my folks place, in a cycle of light use/period of inactivity/recommissioning/light use for 29 years. It has done 82k miles, probably 2-3k of them since 1994.
I've known that the need for a full restoration has been looming for the best part of 10 years. It hasn't been on the road since the summer of 2019 and, with the pandemic keeping me away and then visits over the last 18 months focusing around my mothers final illness and spending time with my father, it hasn't been looked at since then.
Yesterday I was there and took the opportunity to get it into the car-barn and take a view of what it might need. Although it's been in a dry, warming barn, time hasn't been kind. It needs all its bodywork sorting and some structural work around the front sub frame mounts and bulkhead. It would also make sense to rebuild the brakes and suspension, as that was last done in '92. If all that is being done, it would make sense to at least check out the engine and gearbox.
All told, I'm guessing I could easily spend £15-20k getting it back on the road which is probably more than it's worth. That said, it has a lot of sentimental value.
What does the PH collective think?
I carried out a rolling restoration and used it extensively from 1989 to 1994 then life kind of got in the way and it has spent its life since at my folks place, in a cycle of light use/period of inactivity/recommissioning/light use for 29 years. It has done 82k miles, probably 2-3k of them since 1994.
I've known that the need for a full restoration has been looming for the best part of 10 years. It hasn't been on the road since the summer of 2019 and, with the pandemic keeping me away and then visits over the last 18 months focusing around my mothers final illness and spending time with my father, it hasn't been looked at since then.
Yesterday I was there and took the opportunity to get it into the car-barn and take a view of what it might need. Although it's been in a dry, warming barn, time hasn't been kind. It needs all its bodywork sorting and some structural work around the front sub frame mounts and bulkhead. It would also make sense to rebuild the brakes and suspension, as that was last done in '92. If all that is being done, it would make sense to at least check out the engine and gearbox.
All told, I'm guessing I could easily spend £15-20k getting it back on the road which is probably more than it's worth. That said, it has a lot of sentimental value.
What does the PH collective think?
Keeping and restoring classic cars very rarely makes financial "sense" unless your into the upper echelons of well known or limited build Ferraris, Aston's or similar big GTs and racers.
Of course, the "smart" thing would be to buy one thats already been done, but that's not "your" car and it's better the devil you know.
Investigate, take stock, and then decide. But I'd say do it.
Of course, the "smart" thing would be to buy one thats already been done, but that's not "your" car and it's better the devil you know.
Investigate, take stock, and then decide. But I'd say do it.
I'm a huge Lancia fan so my comments are not from that angle.
The question I'd ask is if it was fully sorted what would you do with it? Will you get any more joy from the car than you have previously?
If yes, do it. If no, move it on.
The mechanics of these aren't complex although the leaning back engine makes some in situ jobs tricky ( I rebuilt the top end of both of mine).
The body/chassis is where skill is required and where ££ will be spent but I suspect you know all that.
The question I'd ask is if it was fully sorted what would you do with it? Will you get any more joy from the car than you have previously?
If yes, do it. If no, move it on.
The mechanics of these aren't complex although the leaning back engine makes some in situ jobs tricky ( I rebuilt the top end of both of mine).
The body/chassis is where skill is required and where ££ will be spent but I suspect you know all that.
I would do enough to get it back on the road and then just drive it a bit when the mood takes you. Do a bit more work as and when appropriate or necessary and then I think you will find the decision will be easy to make. It will either have endeared itself all over again or you will find it no longer lights the fire as it used to, if the latter then it will be much easier to sell as a runner and you will have saved the expense of a complete restoration.
I had a Beta back in the 90,s , loved that car for all its rattles and quirks.
They still look great today.
I'd say it depends if you have the time/money to do it and whether you will use it once done.
If not give Matthewsons a call and stick it on Bangers and Cash.
Someone will love it.
Oh and pics please.
They still look great today.
I'd say it depends if you have the time/money to do it and whether you will use it once done.
If not give Matthewsons a call and stick it on Bangers and Cash.
Someone will love it.
Oh and pics please.
That did well to avoid the 1980-2 Beta cull - I remember that well and used to visit the yard in Zummerzet that crushed them. Halletts in Crewkerne near Yeovil. Hundreds ofd them in there at any one time.
Rare being a big headlight Series 1 car.
A full restoration makes no sense. Just how grim is it? The subframe mounts were the reason Lancia condemned so many.
Tbh, I would sell it.
Rare being a big headlight Series 1 car.
A full restoration makes no sense. Just how grim is it? The subframe mounts were the reason Lancia condemned so many.
Tbh, I would sell it.
I-am-the-reverend said:
That did well to avoid the 1980-2 Beta cull - I remember that well and used to visit the yard in Zummerzet that crushed them. Halletts in Crewkerne near Yeovil. Hundreds ofd them in there at any one time.
Rare being a big headlight Series 1 car.
A full restoration makes no sense. Just how grim is it? The subframe mounts were the reason Lancia condemned so many.
Tbh, I would sell it.
It's a series 2 not a series 1Rare being a big headlight Series 1 car.
A full restoration makes no sense. Just how grim is it? The subframe mounts were the reason Lancia condemned so many.
Tbh, I would sell it.
The rust isnt too bad - main area that needs work is where the NSF inner wheel arch meets the bulkhead. The bodywork is the main challenge
They aren't that offensive to restore cost wise but you still wouldn't make money.
You could get a more informed opinion with photos and a visit to http://www.betaboyz.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php
The big thing though is - would you actually use it? You haven't for quite a while and there's no point restoring it just to look at it, so to consider restoring it something needs to change in your use of it
You could get a more informed opinion with photos and a visit to http://www.betaboyz.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php
The big thing though is - would you actually use it? You haven't for quite a while and there's no point restoring it just to look at it, so to consider restoring it something needs to change in your use of it
You mention 'full restoration' 'structural' & 'bulkhead' in the first post.
Unless you're going to do 90% of the work, and are looking forward to it, think very carefully before starting.
Alternatively do have some one in mind, that you 100% trust who can do the 'full restoration' ? If so your price estimate is way too low.
The fact that you ask the question on here suggests that you have reservations. Think very carefully and I hope what ever you decide goes well for you.
Unless you're going to do 90% of the work, and are looking forward to it, think very carefully before starting.
Alternatively do have some one in mind, that you 100% trust who can do the 'full restoration' ? If so your price estimate is way too low.
The fact that you ask the question on here suggests that you have reservations. Think very carefully and I hope what ever you decide goes well for you.
Edited by gt40steve on Sunday 8th January 15:14
Beta Spyders are lovely cars anyway, and rare now too. Yours is a family heirloom to boot. If you can/are willing to spend the money to get it sorted those are all jolly good reasons to do so.
On the other side of the scales is really only one thing - do you really want to? No doubt it will be a longer and more expensive business than you envisage, because it always is. You'll need plenty of desire/enthusiasm for the finished article to see you through without the whole thing becoming a bit of a burden.
So if all those years of ownership have got Betas out of your system it might be time to sell. If you've still got the love, crack on;)
On the other side of the scales is really only one thing - do you really want to? No doubt it will be a longer and more expensive business than you envisage, because it always is. You'll need plenty of desire/enthusiasm for the finished article to see you through without the whole thing becoming a bit of a burden.
So if all those years of ownership have got Betas out of your system it might be time to sell. If you've still got the love, crack on;)
These are getting few and far between now.
The biggest issue when restoring them is having a nice complete car to begin with. The metalwork is the easier part of the project in my opinion.
Most of the cars I've kept and rebuilt have been so because of the memories they carry aswell as my fondness for them.
Good luck with it.
Ben
The biggest issue when restoring them is having a nice complete car to begin with. The metalwork is the easier part of the project in my opinion.
Most of the cars I've kept and rebuilt have been so because of the memories they carry aswell as my fondness for them.
Good luck with it.
Ben
Money wise, to help if at all, my paint guy does a superb job for around 5k.
The last bodyshell I did extensive work to including rhd to lhd conversion, sills, roof, doors, inner and outer arches and many many other repairs was around 80hrs @£40ph
Stripping and reassemble will be a few k.
I don't think you are miles off estimate wise at 15k to have a reasonable job done of it.
The last bodyshell I did extensive work to including rhd to lhd conversion, sills, roof, doors, inner and outer arches and many many other repairs was around 80hrs @£40ph
Stripping and reassemble will be a few k.
I don't think you are miles off estimate wise at 15k to have a reasonable job done of it.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff