Tag Archives: Gamma

1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe 2.5

July 7, 2013 Graham

The Lancia Gamma Coupe has to be one of my favorite designs to come out of Italy in the last 40 years, hands down. With each passing year, I've been surprised that more of these large coupes haven't found their way to US shores, now that they are legal to register here. But maybe it is a testament that few survived. Sure, these cars had their faults, but I'd be more than willing to put up with them in order to get my hands on a sharp piece of Pininfarina history. This Gamma 2.5 for sale in Florida has been in the country for about one year, after the owner sourced it from Austria.

Year: 1982
Model: Gamma Coupe 2.5
Engine: 2.5 liter flat-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 87,700 km (~55,000 miles)
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe 2.5

Lancia Gamma Coupe designed by Pininfarina (1982), only 87,700 original km (less then 55,000 miles). I believe the only one in the USA. Lancia Gamma is an executive car from Italian Fiat Auto's up-scale Lancia marque, a true italian GT car. Gamma coupe was introduced in 1979 and produced till 1984. Only 6790 coupes built (15,272 berlinas). When launched at the Geneva show in 1979 there were crowds around the Lancia stand. The Lancia Gamma is a FWD car with longitudinally-mounted flat four engine, producing 140HP. This has the second generation fuel injected (BOSCH L-JETRONIC), with 5-speed manual transmission.

Very few survived and even in Europe it's hard to find a nice example. I found this rust free, original car in Vienna (Austria) last summer, sitting in a garage for years, because of a blown headgaskets. After the engine rebuild she got a new, very nice paint job, using the original color. I shipped it to Florida and it has now a clear Florida title. I mentioned it was rust free car when I found it and of course there in no rust anywhere. Please see the pictures (door bottom, fender's top and bottom). Interior is nice and original (cloth seats). Floor carpet very nice and clean no signs of wear.

There are some flaws: - both door upper weather stripe (belt moldings) is a little bit out of shape. Some wear on the driver seat and 3 dirt spots.

She is a real Grand Tourismo, a cruiser, which seats 4 people comfortably. The engine is strong, clutch and transmission works fine. Body is elegant and simple lines . The Fiat stopped to produce the 130 Coupe in 1978, and the next year the Gamma Coupe is introduced. Both car were designed by Pininfarina, but the Lancia more curvaceous then the angular Fiat Coupe.

Last week on the ebay the bid on the Fiat 130 Coupe went over $24,000. You can buy this Lancia (her sister car) for a significantly less. If you like to own a very unique Italian sports car or one of Pininfarinas works of art, this your chance. There are many more Lamborghinis, Ferraris or Alfa Romeos on the road from this era, but very few Lancias. One of rarest car on the market. If you have any questions call me evening at 407-732-6120. The car can be seen in Orlando area. This is an 1982 car but ebay did not let me list as 1982 because this vehicle does not has the 17 digit us standard VIN.

On Jul-07-13 at 05:30:51 PDT, seller added the following information:
Looks like this is the second Lancia Gamma in the US. I got an email from the owner of the other Gamma. He imported this spring. The car has NO a/c.

Given the prices of Fiat 130 Coupes that have migrated stateside, I'd suspect somewhere in the range of $12,000 to $17,000 should be a reasonable estimate. With only two examples said to be in the US, this is a good price to rarity ratio right here. Sure, the flat-4 engine offers up more torque and isn't a rev happy engine, but for a unique touring coupe, the Gamma is hard to beat.

-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

Lancia, Modern Classic

1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe

April 4, 2012 Graham

The Lancia Gamma is virtually unknown in the United States but this car, in my opinion, has to be one of the most handsome coupes to emerge from the late 1970s and early 1980s. While the coupe and its sedan counterpart competed in the executive segment, the engine would have suggested otherwise, as the Gamma was offered with a 2.0 liter and 2.5 liter horizontally opposed four cylinder. A torquey mill this was, but it failed to offer the power and refinement buyers in this class were used to. The engine also suffered a variety of teething problems from cooling issues to camshaft wear. Even if time has left the Gamma in relative obscurity, the simple rebadging of Chryslers into Lancias as of late has made enthusiasts long for the old Lancia, when uniqueness and adventurous engineering ruled the day. This car for sale near Brescia has covered about 46,000 miles and appears to be rather well kept, but lacks much detail from the seller.

1982 Lancia Gamma Coupe

Vehicle Features: Electric windows, alloy wheels, central locking. Additional accessories: radio, air conditioning, fog lights

Given that white is such a popular color nowadays, this car wouldn't look too out of place in modern day traffic. The Gamma is a stellar example of the timeless nature of Pininfarina's designs. At about $6,500 USD, it's a lot of style for the money. Shipping to the US would of course increase the bottom line, but if the price could be negotiated down to a level where it would keep this car under the $7,000 mark, it would be a practical classic for enthusiasts looking to take the road less traveled and have an instant conversation starter in the company of other automotive enthusiasts.

-Paul

Lancia, Modern Classic

1979 Lancia Gamma Coupe

December 22, 2011 Graham

The Lancia Gamma Coupe has more than a few things in common with the Fiat 130 Coupe we featured yesterday. First, it's no coincidence that its styling is similar to the 130 Coupe, as both cars were styled by Pininfarina. Second, these two big coupes were never sold new in the United States. Third, they are quite a rare sight on the road today, no matter what country you are in.

I'm a big fan of the Gamma, as it has a bit of a budget Ferrari 412 air about it. The Gamma draws off of some of the Lancia Beta suspension technology and employs a horizontally opposed four cylinder engine, a departure from the Lancia norm. This particular Gamma coupe has the later Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, which is a welcome upgrade on the reliability front versus the carburettor setup. While these engines offered good torque, they were nortorious for overheating and had issues wearing out camshafts. The power steering system was driven off the cam belts and at full lock, these belts could fail - leading to a dangerous situation, to put it mildly. Along with the horrible press the smaller Lancia Beta was garnering in the press due to rust issues, these were indeed dark days for Lancia.

Barring all the issues, these are pretty coupes that have aged well. I haven't seen a decent example of a Gamma for quite a few months, but this one in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, looks to be a well cared for example.

1979 Lancia Gamma Coupe

Lancia Gamma 2500 ie Coupe with lots of history.

The seller's description is lacking, to say the least. €7,700 (~ $10,043) is strong money for any Gamma coupe. From the pictures, it does look like a clean, well cared for example. The Nardi wood rimmed steering wheel and shifter knob complement the tan interior and the metallic brown fits the car's '70s flair quite well. It would be awesome to ship this over stateside, as there are few, if any Gammas roaming US roads. If you had a good mechanic and a back channel to parts in the Old World, this would be a practical classic; one which exudes class, good taste and which would make you the hit at car shows and club events.

-Paul