Tag Archives: 1981

1981 Lancia Beta 2000 with 37,000 miles

August 26, 2014 Graham

The Lancia Beta isn't a car that is remembered too fondly by some enthusiasts. Problems with corrosion plagued this car which led to structural failure at times. This was the first new Lancia after Fiat took over the company, and under the hood was a twin cam Fiat four cylinder engine. Nevertheless, the Beta became one of the best selling Lancias up to that point. It would also be the final model US customers would see. These cars are almost extinct on US roads today, but occasionally you'll see a good one pop up for sale. Such is the case with this 1981 Beta 2000 with under 40,000 miles for sale in Oregon.

Year: 1981
Model: Beta 2000
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 37,382 mi
Price: No reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1981 Lancia Beta 2000

Bella macchina Italiana Via!

One very rarely gets an opportunity to purchase a car like this. 3 owner California/Washington car from new, the last owners were an 85 year old couple from Union, WA who purchased it from a long time collector in Spokane, WA. They reported investing over $10,000.00 into this car to get it to the level it is currently. The car has just 37,382 actual miles. Clean Auto Check and CARFAX History Report with no accident indicators. A unique and wonderful sports car!

The Lancia Beta (Type 828) Coupe was produced from 1972-1984, and was the first "new" model introduced by Lancia after it was taken over by FIAT in 1969. This car is equipped with a fuel-injected 1995cc, DOHC transversely mounted I-4 mated to a manual 5-speed gearbox. It is equipped with Rack & Pinion Steering, Power Windows, Tilt Wheel, Air Conditioning, Rear Window Defogger, Shoulder Belts (front seats), 3 Speed Windshield Wipers, Day/Night Rearview Mirror, Dual Sport Exterior Mirrors, Reclining Bucket Seats, Air Horn, Fully Independent Front & Rear Suspension, and 4 Wheel Disc Brakes. These Front Wheel Drive models were widely regarded as being a "Driver's Car" by Industry Professionals and gained great popularity with the public. This car features an upgraded Kenwood AM/FM/CD player and nice 6" speakers that sound great, an Upgraded Sport Shift Knob (Original also included), and the addition of a tasteful front air dam spoiler painted to match the car. Original Wheels are wrapped with Pirelli Cinturato Radials with about 85% tread and has the original spare wheel and tire in the trunk (with cover). Even has the original windshield, and note the cool rear quarter "pop-out" windows! All gauges appear to work, including tach, speedometer, odometer, battery, oil temperature, water temperature, and fuel.

Interior has been redone with beautiful new seats, nice headliner, and good door panels, except for one small defect on the passenger rear. The black carpet is "good" over all, with some excessive wear on the driver's side front. 4 black floor mats are included. The dash is crack free. The car runs, drives, and shifts well, and recently completed a 200+ mile road trip with ease and got great gas mileage too! Lube, oil and filter service was just completed on 8-21-14. Beautiful shiny Onyx black paint is complemented by tasteful anthracite grey racing stripes on the bonnet and trunk lid, accented with a slim hand painted red pinstripe. It sets the car off and looks great! The paint shows well, with the standard amount of imperfections. It appears to be about a 2-3 year old paint job on a very straight body. All exterior lights have been checked and work properly. The car comes with 4 keys and the original key "number" metal tag.

The car will be sold as-is, where-is, with all faults expressed or implied. We will not be responsible for any errors or omissions and serious bidders are always encouraged to do their due diligence and inspect the car prior to bidding on it.

A $500 Paypal Deposit is required with the balance being due within 7 days of auction's end. We will store the car for 14 days before storage fees will incur at the rate of $35.00 per day. We are happy to assist with transportation suggestions, but the sole cost will remain with the buyer. A documentation fee of $75.00 will be charged if the new buyer resides in Oregon. The car currently wears a current Washington Collector Car license plate which will be removed at the time of sale unless the new buyer resides in Washington. We are a licensed, bonded dealer in the State of Oregon, established in 1989. We have 100% positive feedback on eBay so bid with confidence, and please ask any questions you have prior to bidding. We will do our best to answer them in a timely manner. You may also email or call/text David at (503)539-6609 between 9AM-7PM Pacific Time.

A portion of our sale proceeds will benefit the Milagro Foundation, a children's charity in California. Thanks for supporting this great cause!

Vehicle may be picked up from our warehouse in Lake Oswego, OR, approximately 10 miles south of Portland.

Please respond within 24 hours of auction's end and be prepared to sign and return a purchase order and necessary documents to title the car in your state. Any taxes and license fees are the responsibility of the buyer.

Thanks for your interest and Happy Bidding!

David A. Goldenberg Enterprises DA3423
16066 Boones Ferry Rd. Suite F
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
(503)539-6609 Voice
(503)699-6564 FAX
Established 1989

This car was recently appraised at $8,750.00, its current market value taking the low mileage into consideration.

The appraisal listed for this car seems about right according to the Hagerty Classic Car Price Guide, listing a top example at just over $9,000. At no reserve, it will be interesting to see where bidding ends up for this car, especially since part of the proceeds are going to a good cause. You just don't see Betas that have survived like this every year, let alone every day. If you want to make a statement at the next Fiat Club meet, here's the car in which to do it.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic, Pininfarina

1981 Fiat 2000 Spider Turbo

May 22, 2014 Graham

When talking about classic Italian cars associated with the words Pininfarina and Turbo, Ferrari comes immediately to mind with the legendary 288 GTO and F40; but there was an earlier mating of those two words with a third outlier; Fiat, in this case. Originally badged the 124 Spider, Fiat and Pininfarina renamed the spider the "2000" in 1979, and in 1981 Fiat and Legend Industries made around 700 turbocharged models for the U.S. market. A well proportioned car with classic roadster styling and impressive heritage, the 2000 Spider none-the-less remains one of the cheapest ways to get into a neat and classic Italian ride:

Year: 1981
Model: 2000 Spider Turbo
Engine: 2.0 liter turbocharged inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 26,400 mi
Price: $14,499

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1981 Fiat 2000 Spider Turbo

1981 FIAT SPIDER 2000 Turbo

If you would love to have a great little roadster for some top down, sun in your face, wind in your hair motoring then the Fiat Spider is an excellent choice! Produced almost exclusively for the North American market, although sold occasionally in some European Countries, the Fiat 124/Spider is becoming a very sought after roadster among car enthusiasts looking for an affordable collectible sports car that can be driven and enjoyed as well as make a great investment. Designed by Italian stylist and coachbuilder Pininfarina the Fiat 124/Spider rivaled the MGB and Alfa Spider as the world’s longest running sports car. Many collectors will tell you that the most desirable models are the fuel-injected models, which began in 1980.

'81 Fiat Spider 2000 Turbo — Overview: These little cars were never very powerful, but with the exception of the truly exotic cars, handling capabilities were far superior to most other sports cars of their time.. Fiat began to consider pulling out of the US. In an attempt to try to save the Fiat brand in the US, the importer, Fiat USA, Inc., worked with Legend Industries to install turbo chargers on several late '81 and early '82 cars, after they reached the United States. Boost was limited to only 6 psi to avoid damaging the engine, which was not designed to be used with a turbo. Even at a modest 6 psi, the turbo really awakened the little two liter four cylinder engine. Rarity: Only approximately 700 Spider 2000 Turbo models were made. These turbo models proved to be somewhat unreliable, and many of these cars were “de-trubo-ed”, leaving them as normal “Fuel Injected” cars. With the turbo failures, and the normal number of mechanical failures and accidents associated with a car nearly three decades old, there are very few of these still running and in their original mechanical condition. Handling: Truly amazing.. Acceleration: Pretty good... by 1981 standards. It's not a Ferrari, but with the turbo it easily outruns “stock” spiders.

Not only does this fuel injected ‘81 Spider look great but also it drives and handles as good as it looks!!! Everything works. The gauges all operate. The 5 speed manual transmission shifts nicely through the gears. The clutch was changed when the motor was rebuilt. The engine was rebuilt about 3000 miles ago. The entire car was restored over the last few years. Everything has been disassembled and any worn parts have been replaced. Brakes are new. Brake lines have been replaced. Suspension was rebuilt and modified for better handling. Upper and lower control arms have been replaced with new.

The interior of the car is original. There are some very small cracks in the seats. (See pictures)The original turbo was replaced with a new unit as the turbos on these cars were susceptible to premature ware. To combat this, a post oiler was added to keep the bearings on the turbo cool when spinning down. Every effort was made to make this a drivable car you could take around town or a nice trip. The engine runs nice and smooth while the operating temperature stays nice and cool. It’s got plenty of pep. The brakes feel good and the steering is accurate and fun.

This car has power windows and a/c. both work well. The A/C was retrofitted to 134a Freon.

Tires: 195/65/14 tire have less than 2000 miles

All turbo hoses were replaced with new silicone hose.

Brakes are new and have an adjustable brake bias valve installed.

Pioneer sound system, am/fm/cassette/cd 6disk changer

Oil pan guard was installed. (See picture)

Few things needing attention…

A couple of small dings and paint blemishes could be easily repaired (see pictures)

The vinyl top has a slight cut in the welting and is barely noticeable. The rear window is clear.

The Pininfarina Hardtop comes with the car. These tops are VERY RARE!!!!!!

The top alone would go for about $3,000.00. These were used on the 124 rally cars and were designed by Pininfarina. This is not a knock off!

Pedigree: This car has won at concourse at the Fiat Lancia Unlimited national Fiat club meeting twice in class. It has trophied 3 times at Lime Rock Park concours d’Elegance. And has been invited 3 times and participated at the Greenwich CT. Concours D’elegance. It is a very presentable car.

Also included in the sale are extra motors and transmissions and all original parts and extra turbos/manifolds. Many of these parts can no longer be obtained.

Feel free to contact me to schedule a time to see it for yourself.

Worldwide Shipping at Buyers Expense Please, No con artists. I have seen this in the past and will not be negotiating with people I cannot speak to directly. Money talks…….

As a car with potential to show, this is a neat example of a car that you can afford to buy, work on yourself and enjoy some classic Italian lines and soundtrack. Condition is far above average with some room for improvement and pricing is compelling at under $15,000. I personally love the color combination, and the addition of the factory hard top is quite cool. It will never be the car that draws a large crowd or snaps your neck with acceleration, but this is a solid package with some great roots in classic Italian motoring!

-Carter

Lancia

Beta Brothers: 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato and 1977 Lancia Beta HPE

August 7, 2013 Graham 3 Comments

Ah the Lancia Beta. Fodder for the petrolhead who will point out that everything which has four wheels and Italian is crankier than a two year old who missed a meal. This was the car that brought Lancia to their knees and would turn out to be a big factor in their pullout from both the US and UK markets. However, should this car be maligned as much as it is? Maybe it's about time for a second look. Let's check out two rather different Beta models, starting off with this red Zagato for sale in Massachusetts.

Year: 1981
Model: Beta Zagato
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 84,000 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato

1981 Lancia Zagato Targa Convertible. Unsually excellent condition exterior, interior and mechanically. I purchased the car from the original owner about 5 years ago and have put on less than 2000 miles. Always garaged either by me or previous owner. Have all receipts, owners manual, repair manual, window sticker.

Exterior: Sporty, original Rosso exterior. No accidents, no dents. Rubber bumpers are clean and don't sag over front turn signals. Paint is original, shiny and presents extremely well. Hairline cracks around gas cap- but not chipped. Chrome is clean and not pitted. Glass is clean and not scratched. Targa top fits tightly and is not cracked or chipped. Vinyl convertible top is original, in excellent condition and fits tight - plastic window is cloudy and I haven't tried to polish it. All latches for both the targa top and rear convertible top work perfectly. The original Lancia sticker is on the plastic rear window. I have the original convertible top boot, too. Wheels are in great condition with virtually no curb rash and original "L" center caps are not cracked. Tires all match and have plenty of tread. Rear taillights are clear and not cracked. Rear emblems are original. No missing parts or trim. No rust other than very small, area on the rocker panel right behind the rear wheels (see photos) otherwise absolutely rust free. Overall, the exterior presents beautifully.

Interior: Black leather. Very, very clean with the only issue being the seams coming apart and some color wear on the driver's seat which is easily repaired. Other than that, the upholstery is clean and not ripped, the door panels are clean and, again, not ripped or torn. Everything works - intermittent wipers, A/C blows cold and ventilation system ie: fan, defrost, heat - works perfectly. AM/FM stereo cassette is original and works great as well as the electric antenna. All gauges work, though fuel gage bounces around when 1/2 full. Power windows work, but occasionally blow fuses (hand crank is visible in photos). Carpet is perfect original and has drivers side carpeted mat. Digital clock works. All interior lights and dash lights work. Rubber gaskets around doors are pliant and no leaks at all. Door jambs are clean and no rust. No missing parts or trim.

Mechanical: Drives great. Timing belt was replaced by previous owner. I had a center muffler custom made when I bought the car. Rear muffler is fine. New battery. Brakes, suspension, work fine. Transmission shifts cleanly (as clean as a FWD car can) and doesn't grind in any gear. Steering has great feedback and no issues there. Engine is well maintained and fuel injection system works fine. Check out the photos to see the clean engine compartment. Clear plastic fuse box cover is cracked, but still there. New radiator fan switch installed within the last two years and that works fine. Trunk is perfect with original spare wheel, jack, tool kit and spotless carpeting. I have a made to order California Car cover as well.

This Lancia Zagato is a unique and extremely fun car to drive especially with the targa roof off and the rear top down. You've got room for kids in the backseat and the trunk has decent space. There were 2400 Zagatos imported to the US between 1979 and 1982. The 81's and 82's had fuel injection and slightly increased horsepower. If you are familiar with this model and Betas in general, most survivors are in poor condition cosmetically and mechanically. I'm selling because I have several cars and my storage situation is in limbo. Please give me a call with any questions or if you would like additional photos. Josh - 617-510-0338.

Listing locally as well. Buyer arranges pickup and shipping. Payment by Cashier's Check.

On Aug-05-13 at 09:44:29 PDT, seller added the following information: Took the Lancia out for a few test drives this weekend and the engine is stumbling at low revs. Since the car had been in storage for awhile could be due to stale gas and/or the fuel injection system. Please call with any questions about the drivability. 617-510-0338.

For spending at least the last five years of its live in New England, it’s amazing the tin worm hasn’t set in more on the bodywork. This is also an original car, which makes it stand out from the crowd of refurbished Betas that still exist. It’s rare that you see a Lancia on US roads, let alone a Beta. Less than 3,000 of these Zagatos were ever brought to these shores and fewer still are on the road. This red targa offers the chance to amaze and astound at your next Italian car meet up or car show. If the mechanical issues are not too involved, $5,000 to $7,000 would be a realistic range for this example.

Next up, we have the Zagato’s long-roofed sibling, the HPE, or High Performance Estate. Few automakers have had a crack at the shooting brake model over the years, but Lancia, ever daring, decided to have a go in the 1970s. Offering a bit more practicality to the Beta formula, there were fewer than 1,000 of these two-door estates brought to the US. This HPE for sale in North Carolina is a little more rough around the edges than the Zagato above, but is complete and a prime candidate for a bit of a refresh if one desires.

Year: 1977
Model: Beta HPE
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 33,800 mi
Price: No reserve auction, starting bid $4,500

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Lancia Beta HPE

Buyer to pay all shipping costs. Can be picked up at my location.

1977 Lancia Beta HPE in very good original condition. One of only a few survivors to be found. I have owned it for over 2 years and have really enjoyed driving it. I have owned a Coupe and a Berlinas and can say the HPE is the more desirable and fun to drive. Even today it appears stylish in design. A real eye catcher. I had the timing belt and bearing replaced as well as a new fuel pump. The engine runs very strong and does not smoke or use oil. AC is cold and transmission and clutch work flawlessly. It has less than 34000 miles and retains the original paint which needs a good buffing but is presentable as is. There are several small dings and some scratches which have been painted over poorly. Also, surface rust was removed from pillar on drivers side and repainted along with left front fender. The car has never been wrecked just some small dings. I have found no rust to speak of other than some surface spots.

Interior is original leather and looks very good. Only one small wear spot on drivers seat. The car was in storage for over 16 years thus the low miles and condition. With new paint and head liner the car would show well. It does leak around the windshield if driven in rain. I purchased it to drive and have enjoyed it. Due to medical problems I can no longer drive it without pain. If you are reading this I do not need to tell you how rare the HPE is. There were only just over 400 imported to the US. Has clean North Carolina title. Email me with any questions. Car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end auction early.

I looked for an HPE for five years before I found this one. When was the last time you saw an HPE in this quality, original condition for sale? Includes original shop manual. Buyer to pay all shipping costs. I will assist in loading. No international buyers. Will ship to US buyers only. $500.00 deposit required in 24 hours of end of sale. Balance to be paid in three days or less.

While they are rare, at $4,500, we may be close to the maximum value of an HPE in this condition. It seems this one is mechanically sound and while it wears the original paint, a respray wouldn’t hurt the appearance, along with some refreshed trim, if you could source such parts. For someone seeking Italian flair with practicality, there are few choices out there if you are stateside. With a little bit of time, effort and money, this could certainly be made into one sweet looking HPE.

-Paul

Fiat

1981 Fiat 124 Spider

February 15, 2013 Graham

It's never too early to start thinking Spring, and what better to celebrate the next season than a classic Fiat roadster? This 124 Spider for sale in Miami is a later variant that had a new paint job and convertible top replaced 14 years ago.

1981 Fiat 124 Spider

1981 Fiat Spider 124, ready to drive & enjoy! This handsome Italian car -designed by Pininfarina- is just with its third owner, after being among two members of the same family since it was first bought new in 1981.

Exterior

The black paint with pin striping was professionally done in 1998. The paint still looks very good for being almost 14 years old. There are a few areas near the wheel wells where there are bubbles under the paint (see pictures). All of the lights work and none of the plastic lenses are damaged. The horn, signal lights, brake lights and windshield wipers all work. The tires are in excellent condition and practically look new. The rims are original and were restored. The convertible top was replaced at the same time when the paint was done. It is in very good condition. The bumpers are beginning to show a little oxidizing. All the insignias are in place and the front and rear ones are new. All rubber seals are in place some have small cracks from age.

Interior

This is something unique not only because it is in great condition, but for the red color that was only applied to a limited number of units of this type, instead of the usual beige or black. The covered dashboard is in perfect condition and with no cracks. All gauges work, except the tachometer. All of the lights work and the radio is a recent Pioneer am/fm/CD. Console, seats and carpet are in excellent condition as well as showed in pictures taken just before the ad for this auction was posted. Among the interior parts replaced recently are the sun visors and arm rest chrome trim strips. Shift boot retaining ring was also replaced with a new OEM one.

Mechanical

The engine runs beautifully and it does not burn any oil. Regular scheduled oil and filter changes. Clutch works fine as does the transmission. Shifting through all gears is effortless. Emergency break works fine. Steering is fine as is suspension. As a part of mechanical restoration/maintenance, the following parts were recently replaced with new ones: Battery, original distributor cap, rotor, coil, spark plugs, ignition wires, electronic ignition module, water pump, oxygen sensor, fuel filter, brake pads, and exhaust system (including catalytic converter). The original radiator was also cleaned and restored presenting no leaks.

In general, this great car is ready to drive and enjoy with either the top up or down. Rarely and carefully driven and never out in bad weather. This car has not seen much use and has always been garage kept and pampered. 2 keys and original owner’s manual included. This car is being sold in as is condition with a clear title. Sold in “as is” condition with no warranties expressed or implied. By bidding you accept those terms. Please ask questions or come view the car to determine that it is what you expect prior to bidding. Feel free to send a message to the seller with your questions. Buyer is responsible for vehicle pickup or shipping.

These 124 Spiders offer a lot of style and oftentimes for less cash than a similar vintage Alfa Romeo Spider. These are a great starting point for the novice Italian car enthusiast, as they are not too expensive to buy and won't put you in the poor house when it comes to maintenance. One can expect to pay somewhere between $7,000 and $12,000 for a Spider like this that isn't a garage queen nor a clapped out basket case.

-Paul

Lancia

1981 Lancia Gamma Coupe

September 27, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

Pininfarina designed many Italian greats such as the Cisitalia 202, the Ferrari Daytona and the Alfa Romeo Spider. One of my favorites from this storied designer is the Lancia Gamma Coupe. Virtually unknown here in the US, this was Lancia's upscale offering from 1976 through 1984. This Gamma Coupe for sale in Switzerland has the larger 2.5 liter horizontally opposed four cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission and a low 33,000 miles on the clock.

1981 Lancia Gamma Coupe

Nice, well kept and rare car, good original condition, mechanically sound. Owned over 10 years by the current owner.

As it stands, this car is about $8,700. For those in the US that would be interested, you'd be looking at a $10,000 to $11,000 car at least, by the time you account for shipping and customs charges. I have yet to see one of these on US shores, but if this car had a 5-speed manual, it would be tempting. It's a lot of money when you consider other, more reliable options you can get at this price point, but for me, the styling of this seizes the day. For a car designed in the mid 1970s, the looks have held up well.

-Paul

Fiat

1981 Fiat Spider 2000

September 19, 2012 Graham 1 Comment

The Fiat Spider carried the roadster torch for Fiat for almost 20 years, which is rather remarkable, considering the automotive advancements that came about between 1966 and 1985. Even today, this two seater looks rather timeless. This later Spider for sale in New Hampshire has the 2.0 liter engine with fuel injection that is good for just over 100 horsepower.

1981 Fiat Spider 2000

A beautiful 1981 Fiat Spider 2000. Body by Pininfarina. Color: Safari Yellow (an ivory shade). Engine: 4 cylinder with Bosch fuel injection system. Transmission: Manual 5-speed. Now with a LOW RESERVE: This car is in great condition and has been maintained in every way that a solid running Fiat Spider 2000 ought to be. I have invested a lot of money into the car (since 2008), and I am proud to own it. And the clock even works! Here’s a list of what’s been done to the car since I bought it 4 years ago:

Engine completely serviced and tuned-up last year, valves adjusted
New timing belt
New distributor, rotor and cap
Transmission completely serviced and inspected
Complete clutch system replacement (i.e., pressure plate and disc)
Stick shift linkage completely rebuilt into top of transmission
New gaskets for engine (wherever it was opened up)
New Airflow sensor (i.e. sending unit for fuel injection computer)
New air filter
Front end suspension thoroughly inspected and refurbished as needed
New stabilizer bar in rear suspension
Shock absorbers all the way around
Complete brake job, with exterior brake lines replaced
New vacuum brake booster
Heater core and valve, cooling hoses and anti-freeze replaced
Manual radiator fan override switch installed (automatic fan works too)
Performance tires, (approx. 7,000 miles on them since purchased)
Fresh oil changes every 3,000 miles
Body is clean and rust free
Garaged in winter
Minor deficiencies:

The convertible top looks great on the outside, no tears and water tight.
The interior shows some wear and tear
The radio tape deck is not working, but may only be a blown fuse
I’ve invested my money in the mechanical stuff
I removed the carpet to inspect the floors, etc.
I have all of the carpet sections in a box
Car has a few very minor dings (not dents), and a couple of tiny scratches.
Dings can be seen on last photo
I’ve got an un-opened bottle of touch-up paint for the scratches (original color)

This car is beautiful and you should bid with every confidence. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to inspect and drive the car in person.

For a Spider hailing from New England, this car looks tidy. The Buy it Now price of $5,350 is attractive for such a well kept classic Italian roadster. For me, only the color and larger crash bumpers of the later Spiders let this car down. If it turns out to be rust free and mechanically sound, this would be a smart buy for someone seeking a lot of top down character for little money.

-Paul

Lancia, Modern Classic

1981 Lancia Beta Zagato

March 27, 2012 Graham

The Lancia Beta was the first new car that Lancia developed after Fiat took control of the company in 1969. Introduced in 1972, this model would go on to set record sales for Lancia, but also garner a reputation for being a rust prone vehicle. This reputation would taint the company so badly that Lancia would pull out of its largest export market at the time, the United Kingdom, a little over ten years later. One of the last new Lancias to be sold in the US market is the car you see here, the Beta Zagato. Built on the Coupe's chassis with a targa roof, it was an interesting collaboration in that the car was designed by Pininfarina but built by Zagato. In total, a little over 9,000 of these open roofed Betas were built before Lancia ceased US sales.

1981 Lancia Beta Zagato

1981 Lancia Beta Zagato, 3rd owner. Approximately 27K miles on rebuilt engine. New starter, clutch, exhaust. 5K miles on timing belt, shocks, motor mounts. Recently rebuilt steering rack. Seats reupholstered in cloth, Pirelli P-6000 185/65-14 tires. Many interior/exterior trim pieces replaced. Car runs well. Paint good, new top. Professionally maintained. Many spare parts. California car. Never driven in rain, always garaged. Shop manuals, original owners manual, original tool kit. All work receipts. $3500 or best offer, price negotiable.

At $3,500, this is possibly one of the cheapest points of entry into classic Italian car ownership, without having to dump a ghastly amount of money on a full restoration. Few of these Zagatos survive today and the ones that do are often rusted out and on their last legs mechanically. While not the fastest cars out there, these Betas are known for their good handling and if this car has lasted this long without suffering at the hands of the tin worm, it should be able to survive another 30 years with proper maintenance.

-Paul

Theme Week, Uncategorized

Theme Week – Non-Italian Cars…Styled by Italians: 1981 BMW M1

January 6, 2012 Graham

So far, we've featured cars from the United States, United Kingdom, France and Japan which have all been influenced by Italian design. Saving the best for last, here is a BMW styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro which represented year dot for the Motorsports badge on street BMWs: the M1. Lamborghini helped bring this car to market for BMW, via a homologation agreement resulting in the only mid-engined, mass-produced BMW. From 1978 through 1981, 455 examples were manufactured and featured an exotic 3.5 liter inline six with 24 valves and 273 horsepower. The engine would later be pressed into service in the E24 M6, E28 M5 and a special, low volume version of the E23 745i made especially for the South African market. With such low production numbers, the M1 is one of the priciest classic BMWs, with mint condition examples fetching well over $100,000 on a regular basis. This example in Florida is one of the last to be produced and could possibly be the lowest mileage example outside of BMW's own collection.

1981 BMW M1

The 3rd or 4th from the end of the production. We got this car from a long time owner in California. It has to be one of the lowest mileage M1's available. Excellent condition condition inside and out. Mechanically perfect. EPA & DOT certified. We've sold over 20 M1's and this is one of the best we've had.

I have never seen many M1s in silver, but I did have a Matchbox model of the M1 painted silver growing up. A significant enough vehicle to garner its own racing series for two years, the M1 has never been forgotten by enthusiasts and there's been chatter over the years that BMW would revive the idea of building a low volume supercar, especially with the arrival of the Audi R8. This car is an amazing example of Italian flair and German practicality wrapped into one lust worthy package. Hopefully this example gets snapped up by a responsible collector who preserves it for future generations, while hopefully going over it and maybe giving it a little exercise in between.

-Paul

Lancia

1981 Lancia Beta Coupe

April 21, 2010 Graham 5 Comments

Here is an affordable little coupe that you don't see very often -- because most of them are long gone! It appears to be a one owner car that has lived in the Pacific Northwest it's entire life having been originally purchased in Seattle -- no rust issues here!

Check out this well preserved :

1981 Lancia Beta Coupe For Sale

After Fiat acquired Lancia, they needed a more modern replacement for the Fulvia and the Beta is the result. Fitted with parts from the Fiat parts bin, this car was very modern for it's time with all independent suspension, 5 speed transmission, dual overhead cams, and wait for it -- front wheel drive! This would explain the spaciousness of the interior in such a small package. This car also has some very nice touches like functioning air conditioning, pop-out quarter windows, tilt steering wheel, and four wheel disc brakes.

Currently the auction is at $4000 and it appears to be no reserve! With only 3 days remaining, get your bid in now!