Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[SD1992]

Hello everyone

I have reently come into posession of a Lancia Beta Berlina, that has done 20,000 miles since new and has sat in a dry garage since 1991.

I have gone over the car, and there is no rust to be seen. Remember these are the cars that Lancia bought back from customers and scrapped because of the rusting problems.

The car is a Berlina (Saloon) 1600 with a 5 speed manual gearbox, in blue, and has a black (either vinyl or leather) interior.

Original tool kit, original keys, the works. Only thing that has been done is a layer of underseal was put on in the 80s to prevent rusting.

Now for the questions...

Exactly how rare are these cars? Does anyone here have / know of another one?

Is it worth much?

And should it take much work to get it going again? I assume it can't be more than change the fluids, battery, tyres, and maybe a few perished seals?

Will post pictures when I can.

Thanks for any help

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Welcome, I think pics are needed on this one?

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

Must be scarce now, especially the basic saloon (that looked like a hatch) which tended to be overshadowed by the more sporty versions such as the HPE.

It'd be worth having a close look at the underseal - rust is notorious for spreading beneath nice shiny black coatings of gloop. If there was corrosion there to start with it could have spread out of sight.

Value is tricky and probably one for a Lancia club to help with. Despite its scarcity, I doubt it'd be worth mega bucks, but it is well worth preserving simply because very few seem to have survived the metal moth.

Look forward to seeing the photos

Rick
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[Nic Jarman]

I like Lancias, but the rust problems are generaly very bad news. My fingers are crossed and I hope there is no rust under the underseal. My mum had a Delta turbo, lovely car but paper thin panels. Good luck and lets have some photos.
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[Richard H]

Can't beat a nice garage find. Now lets have some pictures
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Richard Hughes

[SD1992]

Thanks for the interest

I will go down at some point this week and get photos, used to have one somewhere but can't find it...

The suspense begins!

[SD1992]

Ok, here are the pics!

The bonnet is stuck on one side, but I had a look with a torch inder the other side and there is no sign of rust on the engine mountings. Couldn't get a photo though.

And sorry for the camera phone quality!

[Richard H]

Very, very nice - I suppose the low mileage and garaging have helped it survive
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Richard Hughes