Not a scorpion, but all the Lancia guys seem to be in this thread This 74 1800 coupe is on the local ads for 275 obo. I'm trying to get details. Are these even worth looking at? I kinda like the lines on the car Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I drove one of these when they were a couple of years old and found them very quick, tight and nimble. They seem like they would be very straightforward to maintain with the Fiat DOHC - kind of like a half of a 308. Does this one run?
This is a picture of my Scorpion with the Beta Coupe I used as a daily driver in 1984. The previous owner painted the grill black. The Coupe had dual Weber DCOEs with header and Ansa exhaust. In the picture it has a white interior which I replaced with an all leather interior from a second coupe that I had which was not as nice. I don't have the coupe any longer, daily driving in Ohio winters destroyed that beautiful car. I really miss that Beta Coupe. I do sometimes get a de javoux feeling looking at my GT4, in that it reminds me of the Beta Coupe. The door handle is very similar (identical?) and the dated chrome trim is similar. BTW: Classic and Sports Car has a feature on the Lancia Beta series in its current edition. I just picked it up at the book store today but have not had a chance to read it yet. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The Beta coupe is a lot more comfortable, roomy and a nicer car than a Fiat. Parts availability is probably pretty iffy on some things, but the engine is standard Fiat stuff. Vick Autosports here in Fort Worth carries a lot of maintenance items for them.
According to the owner: "I only have these pictures. It is rusted from the top surface from sitting under the rain. the valve cover is open, the parts are in the car. it needs chimes or something like that , the mechanic who was working on it left. the interior and door panels are all good, and the upholstery is good to." I think $200 gets it. I'd have to find somebody with a trailer & truck to haul it from Garland to Lewisville. Still worth chasing? If so, I'll make an appointment to see it.
Without mentioning VALUE or COST, I can tell you that your finished product can be an excellent sport coupe. More sporty than the comparable BMW 3 series from the mid 70s. The [mid 70s USA] Beta Coupe had wood trim and leather interior. The car was lighter than the BMW and had the twin cam engine that revs to 7000. With Koni struts, nice tires, dual webers, Ansa header and exhaust this will be a great car. Just as much fun to drive as the Scorpion. In the Feb. 2001 issue of 'Classic Cars' there is a comparison of the Lancia Fulvia (which has a known reputation as an awesome sport coupe) with the Lancia Beta Coupe (which had a reputation as a rust bucket). The Beta Coupe compared quite favorably. Here are some scans from the article which is, of course, copywritten material from "Classic Cars", Feb. 2001. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
A few more Beta Coupe images from my archives. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks guys Going to see it this weekend I hope. If it's not completely rotted I'll take it home. Hell, it costs the same as a motor mount on my 328 I assume these were all manual tranny cars? I asked the owner what tranny it had in it, but he didn't seem to understand what I was wanting to know
I think some later models offered automatics, but if I remember correctly it is best to avoid them. That one is probably a 5-speed. Shadetree has a couple old Betas for parts in his junkyard if you need an oddball part. Kind of unusual due to transverse-mounted Fiat engine and front wheel drive. And the head on the Lancias was totally different than the equivalent Fiats. It was actually a better head with more performance potential.
I can help with the tow vehicle, but not the trailer. I seem to recall our friend in Lewisville has a flat bed? Not sure how you'd get it on there though, don't think you could push it, would need a winch.
Jerry has a two-wheel car dolly, but I don't know what the wheel/tire condition is on the back of that Beta for towing. Another club member has an enclosed trailer we might be able to use, we would just have to check with him on availability. Always willing to help someone rescue a lost car! Of course, we expect to see it at ICF soon.
The Lampredi engine is a lovely unit. Free-revving 'till the cows come home, although I am pretty certain my MGB-GT would have outrun my buddy's Scorpion. The Beta Coupe is a great looking car though. There's one for sale somewhere not too far from me here in Ohio. The car is supposedly in nice condition but will need a valve job done. I think the guy's only asking $1,300 for it. My friend who had the Scorpion is a Lancia nut and he backed up this Beta Coupe's condition, aside from the needed engine work. A good deal at $1,300 IMHO. Of course, the one you REALLY want is the Volumex. Those are turbocharged. Cheers, Aaron '82 GTSi '83 400iA
