Lancia Thema 8.32 being enjoyed in Canada

I thought i would post some video clips of my Lancia Thema 8.32 (Ferrari 8 cylinder 32 valve quatrovalvole)during my first season with her here in Canada. She received a Ferrari "major service" plus a new fuel pump and a upgrading of all new elecrical grounding blocks (a known factory issue with these cars) and a tune up of the Bosch CIS fuel injection system including a rebuild/resetting of the Electronic Hydraulic Actuator. The car runs beautifully, and is the ultimate "sleeper"....law enforcement officers look right past this car as they look for the car that makes the wonderful Ferrari sports car sounds!

The car is not what I thought i had purchased (1989 series 2), but turns out to be a 1988 series 1 non-cat car (even faster) without the O2 sensors and lambda system. The car was built in May 14, 1988, but since it was near the introduction of the 1989 model it got the new grill and front smoked directional indicators of the 1989. It did not receive the 1989 push button "sport" suspension option.

I have had the priviledge to own many sports cars and I have never had the experience of a front wheel drive sleeper sedan driven with such a refined powerplant with next to no torque steer...it really is a dreamy experience to drive this car....unlike anything i have ever driven...and with the most sublime sounds...just stunning!

If you ever get the chance to try one out...go for it...I make everyone i meet, take it for a run ...it is worth it to see the total surprise and shock (and smiles) that come from driving a car that looks so plain , yet drives so crazy fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-48_NJ3DQUg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNHc1QC-XJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvy8xu_S65Q

cheers.

 

Awesome car! Were they originally sold in Canada, or was it imported at some point over the years?

 

These cars were not sold in North America. They are available for importation into Canada once they are 15 years old...I believe they will be eligible for importation into the USA after they are 25 years old.

Mine is the only one legally imported into North America that i am aware of. It was a one owner car from Italy when I purchased it last year from an importer here in Canada.

 

Congratulations on this nice car!!

I have seen another 8.32 for sale in the GTA but maybe its yours, not too sure. Its a great sleeper with a wonderful interior, im sure alot of components are interchangeable with the Alfa 164, another great sedan of that era.

Enjoy it in good health.

 

Nice car Beev.......I wonder what its like to drive..................

OH! YA I KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE! I drove it. Great machine.

Glad you have enjoyed the first year of ownership Paul. Heres to another season in 2009!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Chris

 

That would be my car....it was advertised all over the place and no one wanted it (these cars are just not known here)....she is getting all the love and attention she deserves now!

 

Hey Chris

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We will go for a better/more enthusiastic run next spring...maybe with the F chat boys over in the Mulmer hills...River Road...oh ya!

Beev

 

And see if we can drag Ed out with the F430.......................

Chris

 

It was nice to meet Ed...his car is great...I am hoping to move one of my cars in the spring so that i may pick up a vintage Mallock for some vintage racing...that would most surely spark some interest from Ed! ...I loved seeing his old pics of his Mallock back in the day.
cheers
Beev

 

What a sleeper !!!

 

Do that Lancia a favor and remove the Ferrari badges. Plenty of car without needing to resort to evoking something that it is not.

Nice car, I wish they were available in the US.

 

I have to agree, it does look alot better without the Fcar badges!

 

You are right....the badges were on the car when i spotted it at the importer....probably what piqued my interest because i was aware of the Thema but not that there was a Ferrari engine model....i went home and did my research and went back and purchased the car....the badges are great for exposing the model to those that are unaware of the cars existance in the 8.32 form, yet i agree that it is a beautiful car in itself and should be presented as a luxurious "wolf in sheeps clothing" something a Ferrari definately is not!

 

Mr Ferrari showed up in a Lancia when he went to introduce his F40 LeMans; as it was known back then in 1987.
CH

 

Cool!

I have read that he was driven around in a Thema 8.32 in the last year of his life.

 

Hey, Funny I just saw this post as I was reading an old issue of Forza tonight that had an article on the Thema 8.32.
If you don't have it and want it PM me and I'll send it to you...

etip

 

I have a copy, thank you.

 

I have lusted ( from a far ) after a Thema 8.32 for years.
I am jealous.

 

It won't be too long and they will be available in the USA.
I have been invited to bring mine to a few American shows in 2009 and i am planning on doing so.

Here is another Youtube link for your enjoyment;


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhCrdBRxX9c

cheers

Beev

 

Nice car you have there! I've had two, both series 2 but w/o lambda or catalytic converter. I really miss them but since I'm going back to school for awhile I had to get rid of them. My brother bought one of them with a promise to sell it back to me when I'm done.

 

Wonderful sound you got there - seems so out of place (but good! ) hearing in combined with a car like that...


PS Were 8.32s only in that colour? Seems to be the only one I see

 

This colour is popular (Rosso Winner) but it also came in Nero (black), Verde Reflex (green), Grigio Quartz ( silver/grey), Blu Blizzard (blue) and all these were metallic except for a special edition limited run of a Ferrari red.

Interiors were either leather (brown or black) or in either Alcantara (brown or light beige).

 

Beev was kind enough to let me drive the car a few Km's as well. What a spectacular car. You have no idea of what this car is about until you drive it. One drive I'll never forget! Thanks Again and hope to see you in the spring.

 

Do you have one of these brochures? I got it in a swap. Lancia brochure 04.5.9638.06 V/88
It's about 25 pages. I have quite a number of magazine articles as well, and Lancia Motor Club (UK) material on the 8.32.
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Great car and great to have pictures and sound. The 8.32 has always been one of my favorite sleepers (along with the 90s E500 Mercedes). Pity that it's forbidden fruit below the border. Guess I could always drop a 308 QV motor in a Saab 9000.

Or not.