Lancia Beta Ownership - Request for Info Please?

[TBW32X]

Hi all - new to this forum and looking for advice please.

I owned a Lancia Beta Coupe 1600 back in the 80s - my second car after a ford fiesta and I longed after the Beta Coupe after a lady across the road owned one...

The car I had was brilliant - I could never understand why my mates were drooling over Ford Capris and Escorts when you could get a Lancia for a similar price..  Unfortunately, after some over enthusiastic driving, the big end bearings gave out and I was left with an expensive repair bill.  Bodywork was immacculate which I think was pretty rare but I didn't trust the engine after that so I had to let it go...  I never got over it though!

So I'm looking for advice some 30 years on about ownership now.  Aside from the normal MOT history checks particularly in terms of corrosion is there any advice that experienced owners can give around what I should be looking for.  I'm looking for a car I can cherish and and polish but also one that I can take out at weekends without too much fear of not being able to get home again.

Comments / advice welcome please..

Thanks

Michael

[WestonE]

Hi Michael

You will be pleased to hear you can get install a baffled sump kit to protect your bearings. Beta Boyz sell it. If you were considering track days you would add an Accusump. Otherwise buy the best car you can and properly inspect it for corrosion. Expect to replace rubber parts all over the car if not already done. Otherwise running troubles are often about poor (corroded ) electrical connections or poor Earths.

Enjoy

Eric

[TBW32X]

Hi Eric.

Thanks - All good advice.  I hadn't really thought again about the engine troubles I had but good to know about the sump kit... I remember the exact moment it all went wrong - no warning and the car was fully serviced and running great until suddenly it wasn't, dreadful knocking sound and the oil pressure light came on.  My (rich) mate had just had his new Golf GTI fitted with a technics(?) turbo and I was trying to keep up.. epic fail!

I've only really just started looking seriously and am not in a rush to buy the first one I see advertised (unless its the right one of course)... If I manage to find it, this forum will be the first to know!!

[WestonTB]

Hi Michael,

Good luck with your search, I have been "driving enthusiastically " (but safely of course!) in my 1600 Coupe for twenty years now and still it amazes me, I can safely say I will never sell.

I counter act major surge by A: Provoking the slide/un gripping the tyres B: always making sure the oil level is on max C: using as Eric does a high quality 10-60 full synth. My Beta is approx 200 thou miles and all good.

Latest significant fail was tired old gear linkage bushes (Betaboyz ones excellent) and dizzy pick up gave up after 38 years!!! Must write to Turin and complain

I use the Coupe as much as possible in all weathers, family holidays etc and reliability is fine.

Spare parts and general understanding of these fantastic cars seems better now than ever before.

Obviously I cannot recommend buying one asap!!!

Enjoy the search,

Tim. 

[HFStuart]

Tim, correct your last sentence!!

[rossocorsa]

Have to say bearings going is really unusual the engines are really tough. It's a brilliant engine elegant simple design an absolute classic. They are great things to drive but as they are now pretty old to get one at its best you'll probably need to refresh a fair few components once you get one and having a 4 wheel alignment done is fairly essential. They are a sophisticated design the effort to get details right should really repay you.

[WestonTB]

Oop's! the joys of posting too late at night! Had been struggling as usual in the garage, that's my excuse

Seriously though, in a "perfect" world everyone should be driving Beta's.

Buy asap!

Tim.

[TBW32X]

Thanks - I'm looking but no joy yet...  Patience needed I think!!!!