Lancia Monte Carlo

Author
Discussion

Monty1502

Original Poster:

103 posts

61 months

Friday 14th June
quotequote all
Does anyone on here own a Lancia Monte-Carlo ?

I'm just considering buying one ( an S2 ) and interested to know what I should be looking out for ? I already have an Integrale EVO 2 so I'm used to the brand, flimsy indicator stalks etc but have no experience whatsoever of the Monte Carlo.

Any comments would be gratefully received

Thanks

Lotobear

7,136 posts

135 months

Monday 17th June
quotequote all
A friend of mine had one from new - was rusting before it was 12 months old. He recalls 'veins' started to show beneath the paint and spread - cheap recycled steel ISTR

Then the engine went bang on the motorway, leaving actual pistons and bits of crank case on the road.

Aside from that he liked it.

I guess these issues will have been sorted on one that still exists now but they alway suffered a bad reputation despite the looks. I was almost seduced by one back in the early 80's at a used car dealer in Newcastle - the paintwork was rippled all over due to the layers of catty. Unusually for me at that age I actually resisted and bought an Alfa Sprint Trofeo instead, that was a mistake of comparable proportions.

I seem to recall these cars finished Lancia in the UK market?



GTVOX

70 posts

69 months

Tuesday 18th June
quotequote all
That was a helpful post. The Lampredi 8v 2000 engine is as solid as a rock. The block is similar to the one in your evo but with balance shafts. Well maintained they rarely give problems. Make sure the cam belt has been changes and take off the oil cap it should be clean in there. make sure the car doesn’t baulk in gear.
Early Monte Carlos S1’s were over servoed so S2’s were modified.
Any car -whatever make that remains from that era should be well maintained with rust protection and not used as Advil driver.
It was actually Beta saloons and a TV programme called That’s Life that wrecked the Lancia image. most problems were linked to rotten subframes and mountings. This was before the era of the Delta but sales never recovered.
The MonteCarlo is a nice car and well balanced. It was the starting point for the 037 Rally Car. Buy a good one and you won’t be disappointed but good means starting at £20k.

andrewcliffe

1,111 posts

231 months

Wednesday 26th June
quotequote all
Yes, I own a Monte. Happy to answer questions.

The braking problem on S1 was due to servo assistance on the front wheels, which in damp greasy conditions could cause front wheels to lock, whilst driven wheels unlocked. Solution 1 - remove the servo assistance. Solution 2 - add a servo for rear axle.

gregch

369 posts

76 months

Thursday 11th July
quotequote all
Bit late to this, and can't be any help OP, but I got very serious about these for a while and *very nearly* bought one a few times. They're wonderful cars - and I don't think they're as fragile as all that - but not many left that haven't been FUBARd.

In the end, I bought a Gamma Coupe. (don't) Ask me how that turned out!

If you're serious about the Montecarlo, might also be worth reaching out to the Montecarlo Consortium, if you haven't already.

StescoG66

2,210 posts

150 months

Monday 15th July
quotequote all
I know of a gorgeous red one for sale. Restored but what a job. Won car of the show on a few occasions.

Kuwahara

1,030 posts

25 months

Monday 15th July
quotequote all

I was just admiring this yesterday…

CRA1G

6,773 posts

202 months

Monday 15th July
quotequote all
I have many fond memories of my 1977 Red Monte Carlo mainly because i had it while dating my now wife of 42 years. Great car and very underrated imo, real quirky,unfortunately suffered from the dreaded corrosion.