Tag Archives: 1975

Lancia

1975 Lancia Stratos HF

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The Lancia Stratos has a mythical status among car enthusiasts, particularly those whole follow the World Rally Championship. Homologated for Group 4, this Bertone styled sports car was a wild looking beast with the heart of a Ferrari; the Dino V6 to be exact. These Dino engines which found their way into the Stratos were the last built by Ferrari, as they phased the engine out in 1974. The car went on to solidify Lancia's legacy as a World Rally Champion, capturing the constructors title in 1974, 1975 and 1976 and winning the famed Monte Carlo Rally in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Both road going and rally-prepped examples are highly prized by collectors today. This example for sale in Milan has undergone a recent restoration.

1975 Lancia Stratos HF

Private seller proposes Lancia Stratos stradale, 1975 yellow with brown inside and blue seats, totally restored since 3 years. Absolutly and totally new, concourse conditions. Available in Italy only for serious buyer.

The Stratos is not for your average collector. With under 500 built, values for street and competition examples parallel Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the era. At around a quarter of a million dollars, this Stratos is about right in line with current values. The only thing that has left me wanting with this one is the lack of Alitalia livery, possibly one of the best schemes since the myriad of Martini racers, most notably, the Porsche 911.

A few seasons ago, Top Gear aired a feature highlighting some of the greatest Lancias. True to form, they did a good job highlighting this legendary car in a short amount of time.

-Paul

Fiat

1975 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 SS Clone

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Sometimes you don't need a supercar to experience huge motoring thrills. Even the smallest of cars, such as this recreation of a Fiat 500 Abarth 695 SS will provide big car thrills in a small package for relatively little cost. While this 695 SS is not an original, it is well executed example with good attention to detail, from the Jaeger gauge cluster to Abarth badges.

1975 Fiat 500 Abarth 695 SS Clone

Really nice Fiat Abarth 695 esse esse with the coveted Assetto Corsa kit. Vehicle is complete, including the original Jaeger dashboard. Vehicle has been restored by a Fiat specialist. During restoration, the engine was overhauled and gearbox rebuilt. Vehicle is on the new Avon tires. Ready to use for the historic motor sport (including street legal). This 500 is completely rust free.

At a shade under $13,000 USD, this Abarth clone is priced around the going rate for standard 500s in the US. Considering an original 695 SS may run around $40,000 to $50,000, this is a relative bargain. Given the fact modern clones are more usable than the originals, both with regards to drivability and the fear of devaluation that comes with use, I think I would be more inclined to buy a sorted example like this rather than pay for the premium of an expensive museum piece.

-Paul

Lamborghini

1975 Lamborghini Espada 400GT

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Before the Gallardo, Murcielago and the Audi takeover, Lamborghinis were never produced in great numbers. Some models, such as the LM002 and Jarama saw fewer than 500 built. However, one of the most obscure Lamborghinis is also one which had the biggest production run pre-Audi ownership, with 1,217 built. The Espada was a marvel of packaging, with a low-slung look and long bonnet concealing the 4.0 liter V12 with 350 horsepower on tap. While most Espadas had a 5 speed manual, this particular example for sale has one of the first automatic transmissions designed to grapple with such an immense motor. This gearbox had but two forward speeds, but with the V12's grunt, it was deemed adequate by Lamborghini engineers.

1975 Lamborghini Espada 400GT

Automatic. Equipped with very rare factory electric sunroof, power steering and windows. This is in pristine condition. This bull should just about satisfy anyone.

While some deride the styling, I love the unique fastback styling of the Espada. What I am not a fan of, however, is the 1970s era federally mandated bumpers and automatic transmission, as rare as that gearbox may be. This was a car deserves to appear as it does in this short documentary by Deutsche Welle - with slim chrome bumpers and a wild '70s paint scheme. For those looking for a V12 Lamborghini bargain, look no further than this grand tourer.

-Paul

Fiat, Uncategorized

1975 Autobianchi A112 Abarth

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Autobianchi was a joint venture between the bicycle manufacturer Bianchi, Fiat and Pirelli set up in 1955. The mission of this company was to test out new technologies and advancements for Fiat that would eventually make their way into the lineup. Introduced in 1968, the A112 was marketed solely as a 3 door hatchback and saw over 1.2 million examples produced over an 18 year time span. It was also the vehicle which helped bring front wheel drive to Fiat's range in the form of the 127.

Along with the standard A112, Abarth tried their hand at souping up this diminutive runabout and debuted the A112 Abarth in 1971. The 1975 model of the A112 Abarth brought about improvements to the model, most notably a larger displacement engine with 69 horsepower and a 5 speed gearbox. These were raucous little cars that were sought out by young enthusiasts and rally drivers. As a result, few mint examples survive today. This particular 1975 A112 Abarth for sale in Belgium is quite tidy, has a breathed on engine cranking out 90 horsepower and has only a little bit more than 11,000 miles on the clock.

1975 Autobianchi A112 Abarth

Rally prepared, FIA papers, 1054cc engine, engine prepared to 90 HP. Excellent technical condition and well maintained interior.

For under $7,500 USD, this is a unique piece of Italian racing history and is a good alternative for those who think a vintage Mini Cooper is a bit too boring. Autobianchi ceased operation in 1996, the last car to wear it's badge being a version of the Lancia Ypsilon. Today, the official Autobianchi club, Registro Autobianchi, owns the rights to the company name. These loyal and passionate enthusiasts of the mark see to it that owners have a forum to help keep hot hatches like the A112 Abarth around for many years to come.

-Paul

Maserati

1975 Maserati Khamsin

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The Khamsin, which means strong wind in Egyptian, was launched in 1974 based on a design from Bertone. Only 430 units were produced, though production lasted until 1982! The V8 sports a healthy 320hp and is coupled to an automatic in this car. The Khamsin also has numerous innovative features that would be seen on production cars years later like a glass rear window below the hatch (CRX, Insight), speed sensitive power steering (most cars today), and the engine was placed way back in the engine bay to give the car a more balanced weight ratio front to back (S2000).

Check out this

quote from seller's listing:

My Maserati Khamsin is an uncommonly original example of this great Italian grand tourer. I bought it from the original owner, M.C. Gill, president and CEO of Gill Aerospace Corporation in 2006. Built in November 1974 and brought to the US in February 1975, it was the 7th Khamsin, #US1014, (out of the 420 ever built) that came to the USA. All miles and destinations have been documented in the company mileage log and I continued the tradition. It was serviced and cared for by the aerospace maintenance staff and at times by SM World. The paint is the original 1975 Maserati paint and in fantastic condition. Mr. Gill had a special instruction for the workers at his wearhouse for washing and waxing the Khamsin and it worked. The interior is all original with very minimal wear. The dash is perfect and so are the door panels. All electrical system works perfectly. The original radio, windows, lights and the power antena work perfectly and the original clock keeps perfect time. It was always garaged at the company's wearhouse and under cover and I've had it parked in my warm garage next to my Ferraris and connected to battery tender.

If there is any comfort in it for you, I must say; this Khamsin was always driven by men over 60 years of age and thus not abused at all. It still drives and feels tight on the road and it tracks perfectly straight. It looks fantastic for it's age and one cannot tell it apart from a restored one. The original european exhaust and the under carriage are in perfect condition. The Borg Warner transmission shifts smoothly and the drive-shaft is tight. All original US emission controls are on the car. I have kept up with all necessary services in the past 5 years, ie; plugs, filters, oil, etc. and have installed new hydraulic accumulators/spheres as well. I am greatful for having this original Khamsin and if you're tired of seeing poorly restored ones or just bad examples of this great car, this one may just make you a proud and happy owner. It does not need anything at this time. If you're reading this add then you probably know about the car more than I do.

The owner really does seem to represent a very clean and original car. The lines on this model aren't exactly what you'd call beautiful but they fit the period perfectly. My only complaint would be the automatic transmission, but for true long distance GT driving, I'm sure it does just fine.

dc