My "new" Lancia Beta Coupe | FerrariChat

My "new" Lancia Beta Coupe

Discussion in 'Other Italian' started by GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007.

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  1. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    So, I bought it.


    What the original pictures didn't make clear is that the car had the driver's window smashed out, and it was buried under a pile of tires.

    On the positive side, the car's from California and is pretty solid, only a little sill rust on the passenger front. The surface looks bad, but some sanding and paint will take care of that. Odometer shows 22K miles, I don't believe it. It was last registered in 96.

    Carpet's ruined, leather looks good.

    Motor isn't as badly disassembled as I had feared, but will definitely need a good going over.

    It does have the original jack and tools and spare, all good things.

    Passenger rear brake locked solid, and I'm waiting for the keys to unlock the steering column. Can't keep it in the driveway too long before the neighbors get *****y.

    Great lines on this car. I see it in a screaming orange :D

    Pics in a second.
     
    GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007
    #1
  2. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007
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  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007
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  4. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007
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  5. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    WOW!
    Congrats - it will be a lot of work, but I think you'll have a really sharp little car!
     
    snj5, Jul 14, 2007
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  6. snj5

    snj5 F1 World Champ

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    Head and valve job - you can remove it yourself and take to a machine shop; Carb & distributor rebuild (easy) or get a new one for $200 each
    Would suggest having it prepped and painted while the engine bay is disassembled.

    I think you are going to have a lot of fun.
     
    snj5, Jul 14, 2007
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  7. moriaan1

    moriaan1 Formula 3

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    Around 1989, I owned one of these beauties, that looked exactly like yours.
    It was barely alive, totally rotten, but drove like crazy!!
    The second car after getting my license, I paid the staggering price of 125 dollars(coverted).
    Back then, there were no safety regulations, and certificates for roadworhtyness were not invented yet.
    The engine was superb!!!!!! The rest was a total misery!!!!
    Drove it for around a month, and sold it as soon as possible.....

    Sweeeeeet memories!

    It got me hooked to italian cars, and learned be to be carefull with buying Italian cars.

    I hope yours is in a better state, It looks better (lol), but who knows whats underneath the rusty appearance.


    good luck
     
    moriaan1, Jul 14, 2007
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  8. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Tillman, Congrats on the beta coupe, if you need parts for it let me know I have tons of parts for the betas and scorpions. Check out my profile:)
     
    miketuason, Jul 14, 2007
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  9. Crawler

    Crawler F1 Veteran

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    Congrats! A real "diamond in the rough". Gotta love the firewood in the passenger's seat!
     
    Crawler, Jul 14, 2007
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  10. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    Turns out it's a 77. I didn't think the bumpers looked right for an early car. Ah well, it'll be fine.


    Looks like the interior isn't as bad as it first appeared. Certainly it will need a dang good cleaning and drying, but I think the carpet's usable. Door panels look usable, seats are fine (or will be with some conditioning and seam resewing), gotta do something about that hole in the rear panel.

    Won't be a showcar, but could be a decent driver.
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    GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007
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  11. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Speaking of the Beta's, there is a good article about the Lancia Beta's in the July issue of the CLASSIC & Sports Car magazine page 154
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    miketuason, Jul 14, 2007
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  12. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    I got that one when you first mentioned it on the other thread. Thanks for the heads-up
     
    GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007
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  13. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    i think its cool... have fun with it ! :)
     
    thecarreaper, Jul 14, 2007
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  14. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    GrigioGuy, Jul 14, 2007
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  15. SilverF20C

    SilverF20C Formula 3

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    How random. I passed a silver-ish one this morning in California. Minus the rust (at least that I could see). ;) My first thought: don't see these often. :D Good luck with the project.
     
    SilverF20C, Jul 14, 2007
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  16. BrianZuk

    BrianZuk F1 Rookie

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    You have a lot of work in front of you, but it should be fun!
     
    BrianZuk, Jul 14, 2007
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  17. TX907

    TX907 Formula Junior

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    TX907, Jul 14, 2007
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  18. TX907

    TX907 Formula Junior

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    TX907, Jul 14, 2007
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  19. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    Not that anyone asked for my opinion, but....

    I don't think the Beta Coupe has enough of a "rarity factor" to make this one worth your time and money to fix up. If you like the looks of the car, and think it would be fun to drive one, I would suggest buying one about ten times better than this, and keeping this car as a parts car. I just think you're going to burn out on it before you get it together. It looks like an ENORMOUS project from almost every angle, and it's going to take a LONG time before you can do anything with it except invest your time and money.

    If it's any help, I have quite a bit of original Lancia material (Workshop Manual, Technical Data Manual, Weber 32 DATRA Carb training manual, relay and component location book, factory wiring diagram, tune up and ignition helper sheets, etc.) and loads of magazine road tests. I can supply copies.

    I worked at a Fiat/Lancia dealership in Seattle in the late 70's. One of my friends still uses his HPE as a daily driver.
     
    Miltonian, Jul 15, 2007
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  20. bergxu

    bergxu Formula 3

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    Two things come to mind;

    1. Get rid of that hideous steering wheel and bolt a nice Moto-Lita in there.

    2. Forget about rebuilding that engine. Drop a Volumex engine in it.

    Cheers,
    Aaron
    '82 GTSi
    '83 400iA
     
    bergxu, Jul 15, 2007
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  21. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    There's a 2 litre/5 speed from a Beta Spider/Zagato on ebay, supposedly complete and "running when pulled"

    Does anyone know if this will fit into the 77? I know they offered a 2.0 coupe later in the run.
     
    GrigioGuy, Jul 15, 2007
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  22. TX907

    TX907 Formula Junior

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    The guys on Lancisti would be the ones to ask, but I don't think there would be any significant differences.
     
    TX907, Jul 15, 2007
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  23. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran Owner

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    I happen to notice in one of the shots of the trunk area, near the fuel vapour separator, the cream-coloured three-way valve looks identical to what's used in the carb 308's...

    Just thought I mention that.

    If you get a chance to remove it, can you check the P/N?

    You should also try to get a copy of Brian Long's: "Lancia Beta" book. Has loads of info on all of these models.

    Also, get a hold of Guy Croft's: "Modifying and Tuning Fiat/Lancia Twin-Cams" book. Essential reading!
     
    Peter, Jul 16, 2007
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  24. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran Owner

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    Sweet car. Ultra rare. Good for him! Is it an injected car, or carbed?
     
    Peter, Jul 16, 2007
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  25. Miltonian

    Miltonian F1 Veteran

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    Is it injected or carbed? I'm pretty sure it's carbed. He has taken it to the Italian Car Show in Seattle a couple of times. It's not a "queen", the paint (blue) is fairly badly faded. He also had a gold Scorpion for quite a while.

    Looking at Tillman's pictures serves as reminder of the jungle you find under the hood of a Lancia from this period. What a mess!
     
    Miltonian, Jul 16, 2007
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