Lancia Beta Monte Carlo
Discussion
Obviously I appreciate Lancia's aren't supposed to be the topic of this forum, but thought this the best place to ask if anyone knows much about the Beta Monte Carlo?
Has anyone any ownership experience or even driven one? What are they like? And how silly a purchase might one be? I know old Lancia's don't have the best reliability reputation, but are the bills going to be VERY silly to keep it in good nick?
Thanks,
Will.
Has anyone any ownership experience or even driven one? What are they like? And how silly a purchase might one be? I know old Lancia's don't have the best reliability reputation, but are the bills going to be VERY silly to keep it in good nick?
Thanks,
Will.
I owned a mark 1 for 7 years up till 1995, and loved it.
however - Buy a Mark 2 version - as a number of problems were ironed out.
Also despite being more expensive the "Spyders" (glorified sun roof) handle worse and are much more prone to rust!
Main problems are
Rust - yes I know this is obvious but the Rust in an '80s Lancia is something to be seen - a good panel could go bad in about 20 minutes!!
Brakes - standard not up to the job - but most cars have had a Tarox conversion.
Carbs - Standard ones usually gum up and fail - replace them (if it hasn't been done already) with a pair of Webbers (and a rolling road tune you will get about 165 bhp - which makes the car pretty quick!I took mine on a couple of track days and it lived with everything around then (91-92)
Exhausts - should by now have been changed to a stainless system (ANSA were the best ones 10 years ago) if not they are pretty expensive.
Spares - Mechanical parts are all avaliable as its a Fait group twin cam and Gearbox. - other parts were hard even 10 years ago so probably be like rocking horse 5hit now!
With all this in mind I say if you can find a structurally sound one buy it! - they are cracking fun look fantastic and these days with the 70's styling are cool as well
- Just remembered the electric windows are a disaster so check they work well and smoothly on any car you look at!
>> Edited by exint2 on Friday 14th May 17:21
however - Buy a Mark 2 version - as a number of problems were ironed out.
Also despite being more expensive the "Spyders" (glorified sun roof) handle worse and are much more prone to rust!
Main problems are
Rust - yes I know this is obvious but the Rust in an '80s Lancia is something to be seen - a good panel could go bad in about 20 minutes!!
Brakes - standard not up to the job - but most cars have had a Tarox conversion.
Carbs - Standard ones usually gum up and fail - replace them (if it hasn't been done already) with a pair of Webbers (and a rolling road tune you will get about 165 bhp - which makes the car pretty quick!I took mine on a couple of track days and it lived with everything around then (91-92)
Exhausts - should by now have been changed to a stainless system (ANSA were the best ones 10 years ago) if not they are pretty expensive.
Spares - Mechanical parts are all avaliable as its a Fait group twin cam and Gearbox. - other parts were hard even 10 years ago so probably be like rocking horse 5hit now!
With all this in mind I say if you can find a structurally sound one buy it! - they are cracking fun look fantastic and these days with the 70's styling are cool as well
- Just remembered the electric windows are a disaster so check they work well and smoothly on any car you look at!
>> Edited by exint2 on Friday 14th May 17:21
I nealry bought a series 2 a few years back 
love em to bits.
there was an issue with the brakes on S1 cars something to do with the bias I think. obviously they rot but I belive the engines are pretty strong.
Would you be asking because of teh silver one in the autotrader ? I saw it a few weeks ago looks very good condition and origonal.
Buy 1 they are great even Herbie fell in love with one
love em to bits. there was an issue with the brakes on S1 cars something to do with the bias I think. obviously they rot but I belive the engines are pretty strong.
Would you be asking because of teh silver one in the autotrader ? I saw it a few weeks ago looks very good condition and origonal.
Buy 1 they are great even Herbie fell in love with one
I was looking at buying one, but the Ferrari 208 GT4 seemed like a better proposition in terms of reliability and parts availability.
Did I mention my 208 is for sale?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=21776&s=43
Did I mention my 208 is for sale?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=21776&s=43
pesty said:
Would you be asking because of teh silver one in the autotrader ? I saw it a few weeks ago looks very good condition and origonal.
No, I was at Silversone the other weekend and there's a few garages/lock-ups near the main gate with an old one rotting outside. I'd never seen one before, but spotted it from a distance and though it worth an investigation to see what it was.
I went up for a closer look and thought I'd find out a bit more about them...
A very long time ago, when I was about 13 or 14 I was staying with my Italian family. My uncle was aware of the fact that I was completely crazy about cars and borrowed one of these from a mate and drove me about in it for an afternoon (Italian stylee). When we brought it back to his friend the bloke saw the sparks in my eyes, and brought me a 1:18 Bburago Testarossa from his office to take home.
It's one of my most vivid early petrolhead memories. Couldn't tell you one usefull fact about the car though......
It's one of my most vivid early petrolhead memories. Couldn't tell you one usefull fact about the car though......
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