Tag Archives: Scorpion

1976 Lancia Scorpion

January 19, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

Sometimes cars appear in a manufacturer's lineup to make one ask the question "just what were they thinking?" The Cadillac CTS-V wagon, Buick GN-X and Subaru SVX come to mind. If you dial back a bit further in time, the Lancia Scorpion, known as the Montecarlo in other markets, stands out. Designed on the Beta chassis, this car would form the basis of the 037, a very successful rally car of the 1980s. This mid-engined Lancia lasted but two model years in the US market, with only 1,801 sold. Rarely seen today, this Scorpion for sale in Pennsylvania has been in storage since 2001 and does not run. For a resourceful Lancia enthusiast, this could turn out to be a rewarding project.

Year: 1976
Model: Scorpion
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 111,176 mi
Price: No reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1976 Lancia Scorpion

1976 Lancia Scorpion Pininfarina. One owner with Pennsylvania A title. Not run since 2001. Nice project.

This Lancia Scorpion has been in dry indoor storage since the passing of the original owner in 2001. Bought new at Reading Foreign Car in Reading Pennsylvania. 111,176 miles. Not on the road since 2001. This is a non-running / non-operative project car. Red with sand leather interior. Repainted original color by original owner in the late 1990s. Interior is all there with the driver’s seat requiring work. Someone pulled the seat back adjustor handle thinking it to be the hand brake handle and snapped the plastic. Cloth top is nice but needs new rear top latches. Mechanical condition unknown. Engine turns by hand but may require work. I have no historical or maintenance documentation. Last Pennsylvania state inspection expired in February 2001. Will make a wonderfully fun driver. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a piece of automotive history. Sold as-is where-is. Low Reserve.

VIN: 137AS100176

Factory air conditioning
Excellent color
5 speed manual transmission
Paint looks very nice
Original owner’s manual
Glass is all good
One set of original keys
Valid Pennsylvania title
Solid chassis – had previous rust repair
Battery tray needs repair / replacement
Sold as-is where-is

Please email with any questions before bidding. Serious bidders are invited and encouraged to view the Lancia located at our shop in Reading, Pennsylvania 19601, USA. Sold as is where is. If interested, call Fred + 1 610 796 1446 eastern time zone. eBay members with less than 5 positive feedback must communicate with us before bidding. Very reasonable reserve.

Payment terms: $500 non-refundable PayPal deposit within 24 hours of auction end. Balance in cash upon pick-up or bank wire transfer. Full payment must be received within 7 calendar days of end of auction. Shipping arrangements are the responsibility of the auction winner. We will work in full cooperation with the transport company of your choice. Vehicle pick-up must be within 14 days of end of auction. Thank you.

We are the promoters of the Deutsche Classic, Mid Atlantic’s premier all German automotive event held in Reading, PA on Saturday July 12th, 2014 as well as the European+ Automotive Auction series.

If you could source a rebuilt Fiat 2.0 liter twin cam engine, this Scorpion would be a solid base for someone looking to tackle a series of projects that, in the end, would net a unique and attractive sports car. Like many Lancias, the Scorpion succumbed to rust easily, but this one looks to be a solid survivor, no doubt in part to being stored for a long while. The interior also could use a bit of attention, with seats in dire need of new upholstery. If the final bid can be held around the $4,000 to $4,500 mark, it would give the new owner enough room in the budget for the necessary work.

-Paul

Lancia

1977 Lancia Scorpion

August 18, 2013 Graham 3 Comments

Lancia’s history in the United States is sporadic at best. Few are aware of this marque’s current existence and those that do recognize that the lineup is purely a bunch of warmed over Fiats and Chryslers. These aren’t necessarily bad cars, but for such an individualistic company, these vehicles do little justice to the heritage of the marque. In the 1970s, it was a bit of a different story, as Lancia took the Beta architecture and had a go at making a mid-engined sports car out of it. And then sent it stateside. While its presence in the US was short-lived, it provides classic car buyers an interesting, rare and affordable option for those who want others to think they bought an exotic.

Year: 1977
Model: Scorpion
Engine: 1.8 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 22,799 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Lancia Scorpion

Good running Lancia, starts, runs, and drives like new. Car was professionally repainted several years ago NO BONDO OR RUST just wanted a color change and still looks like new. Engine compartment could use some detailing. Driven only in summer and stored inside a heated garage. Has a few small cracks on dash, and one seat seam has come apart see pictures. These cars are becoming hard to find in this condition. Top is in perfect condition, air conditioning needs re-charged. Ask questions before auction ends. I am not the original owner and do not have any service records on this vehicle normal maintenance has been done in house. Sold as is with no warranty expressed or implied. Buyer to arrange and pay shipping costs. Someone will be available to help load.

Not a lot of detail in terms of history is provided for this car, and there are no service records that come with the car. For a Lancia from this era, that’s like walking into a Casino and choosing the slot machine in the far corner that no one uses. You have no idea what you’re going to get. While they are rare, a lot of parts can be Fiat sourced and there is a strong club backing, so keeping your Scorpion alive shouldn’t be too difficult. If this is as sound as it looks, somewhere around the $5,000 to $6,000 range would be a good estimate for a vehicle that is becoming rarer than the proverbial hen’s tooth.

-Paul

Lancia

1976 Lancia Scorpion

May 12, 2013 Graham

The Lancia Scorpion was, like many Lancias, beautiful but flawed. With incredibly good looks by Pininfarina, the car had looks of sports cars costing much more, but problems lurked beneath the skin. A weak crossmember prone to rust and brakes that were overly boosted in the front were but a few of the problems, along with modifications to the suspension and engine for the US market that stifled performance. Sold for only two years, this is a forgotten classic amongst most collectors. This Scorpion for sale in Rhode Island has been restored and is ready for some spirited summer motoring.

1976 Lancia Scorpion

You are bidding on a restored 1976 Lancia Scorpion. The car presents beautifully with straight lines and flawless new paint. It has been given WHOA brakes, dual Webers, Alquati manifold and a quad tip ANSA exhaust to boost performance. There is no rust on the car and it has never had accident damage.

This car was originally purchased in Tacoma Washington, it was then sold to a new owner in Kent, Washington where it remained until I purchased it in 2008. I have original sales documentation and most service records from its time in Washington as well as records for all recent upgrades. Upgrades to the car include:

Beautiful white paint in original bianco
Newly re-upholstered leather seats
New WHOA brake system in front
New rear calipers
Dual Webers
Alquati manifold
ANSA quad exhaust with wrapped header
New master brake cylinder
New master clutch cylinder
New brake hoses
New tires
Upgraded Hella Vision headlights
New starter
New starting relay
New belts and hoses
New top straps
New head gasket

The car has been at numerous Italian car rallies and shown several times at Tutto Italian where it has won Best Lancia. This beautiful Scorpion drives like it is on rails and draws attention where ever I take it. The car is in great shape but as it is almost 40 years old, it is sold as is with no warranties expressed or implied. Car is located in Rhode Island. I'm happy to arrange help arrange shipping. Good luck and enjoy a sweet ride this summer!

Scorpion are an affordable Italian classic these days and many of the early teething issues can be overcome with newer technology these days. About $6,000 to $7,000 is the price of entry for these sports cars, with those in good condition selling anywhere from $9,000 to $15,000 on average. I'd suspect somewhere around $12,000 to $13,000 would do the deal in this case.

-Paul

Lancia

1977 Lancia Scorpion

November 30, 2012 Graham

Sold but for two years, the Scorpion was easily forgettable during Lancia's brief appearance in the US market. This was a neat mid-engined car with a twin cam, 1.8 liter four cylinder engine and striking good looks by Pininfarina. This example is for sale in California has had but two owners and has recently been used as a daily driver, if you could imagine that.

1977 Lancia Scorpion

This listing is for a 1977 Lancia Scorpion. I'm the second owner. I purchased from the original owner in Northern California. I owned this car for nine years and it has been my daily driver since. When I purchased this vehicle it had 95,353 miles and started back to zero. I did all the work with the exception of the sunroof. Following is the work done:

IN THE PAST MONTH: Four new Kuhmo Solus tires, 185/70-13 with wheel alignment. New custom sunroof with canvas material, the same used in Porsches and Mercedes. New distributor cap, rotor and magnetic pick-up and Bosch Platinum spark plugs.

LAST TWO YEARS: New clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, pilot bearing and rear main seal. Rebuilt starter, alternator and new solid state voltage regulator. Complete valve job that includes: new valve stems, new valve guides and head pressure tested. Water pump and timing belt. Radiator complete honeycomb core redone.

AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE: Replaced windshield with Pilkington glass with professional installation and rubber seal around.

IMPROVEMENTS: Replaced old point and condenser distributor with an electronic one from later Lancia model. Old plastic coolant reservoir replaced with stainless steel. Spare tire holder replaced with a made support that gives better hold and easy access for maintenance.

NOTICE: All smog equipment has been removed from vehicle and cosmetically cover all orifices. That makes the car perform exceptionally well. Top speed 110 mph and I have two speeding tickets to prove it. This car was not originally destined to run with all this smog equipment. It makes it a lame duck. The car has current California registration until November 2013.

This looks to be a very well kept Scorpion and with a lengthy history on the west coast, it stands a chance that this could be one of the more rust free vintage Lancias you could find roaming American roads these days. Scorpions are surprisingly affordable and have been likened to bargain Ferraris on more than one occasion. Anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000 will net you a good one. I'd suspect this example, due to the mileage, will wind up somewhere around the $6,000 to $7,000 mark.

-Paul

Lancia

1976 Lancia Scorpion

September 11, 2012 Graham 4 Comments

It appears that the 65,000 mile Lancia Scorpion we featured here at CICFS in June is back up for sale. Bought by the current owner for use in the Woodward Dream Cruise, it is being offered for sale once again with no reserve. Located outside of Detriot, this is quite possibly one of the best Scorpions left in the US.

1976 Lancia Scorpion

This is an outstanding Lancia Scorpion (Montecarlo in Europe) with low original 65,555 miles on it (Receipts that come with the car prove the accuracy of miles). This Lancia is just beautiful in every way. I bought it from Tempe Arizona for the summer to drive around and for the Woodward Dream Cruise and now selling it before winter comes. This Lancia Scorpion is always garaged. Car never seen snow or salt and it looks like it was never driven on wet pavement either. Car needs nothing! Buy it, drive it immediately and show it off. It drives perfect. Pulls straight and strong. The 5 speed manual transmission shifts perfectly with no synchro issues. Clutch is like new. Brakes work as they should. Engine pulls strong. Alignment is straight. Cars exterior looks great. No rust. Paint shines beautifully. Tires have lots of tread on them. Interior, seats, carpet, dash are all in an amazing shape. Engine bay and front trunk are tidy and clean. Removable roof tucks away and works awesome. Under Carriage and floors are all in clean solid shape. No rust!

I spent a few thousands dollars getting it ready for the summer with new head gaskets and all fluids flushed and replaced. I have all the documents and receipts dating back to 1977 including the recent work I have done on it. Original owner kept the car until 2005 since new. It's been babied all its life. This car has countless laminated records/receipts and even has Original Factory window sticker that came with the car. Car has books, receipts, service manuals, brochures, miscellaneous parts, original tool bag with tools, spare and jack.

Radio, tape player, heater, fan blower, lights, signals, wipers and locks all work as they should. Car came with factory AC but missing compressor. Car has automatic choke to warm it up and it works beautifully. Car starts like a brand new one. No hesitation and no smoke. No accident history, car is solid, clean, straight, no visible rust and drives perfect. I will be surprised if you'll ever find a cleaner or better Scorpion in this original and unmodified shape.

There's a good amount of bidding interest in this Scorpion, and my guess is we'll probably wind up somewhere around the $10,000 to $12,000 mark by auction's end. Personally, these Scorpions, even in US trim, are much more appealing than their loosely related Bertone styled cousin, the Fiat X1/9. Pininfarina nailed it on this car, as those unfamiliar with this Lancia may take it for a 3/4th scale Ferrari. Little does anyone know just how accessible these mid-engined sports cars based on Beta mechanicals actually are.

-Paul

Lancia

1976 Lancia Scorpion

June 1, 2012 Graham

We've featured a few Lancia Scorpions for sale here on Classic Italian Cars for Sale, but I must admit, I think this is the best one yet. Looking sharp in silver over red leather, this mid engined sports car is a rare sight on these shores, as they were only sold here for the 1976 and 1977 model years. Differing from it's foreign market counterpart, the Montecarlo, the US market Scorpion had a smaller 1.8 liter engine, crash bumpers, taller suspension springs and semi pop up headlights, as opposed to fixed, flush units. Still, this car struck a very modern pose in the mid 1970s and they are revered by a small group of enthusiasts to this day. This example is for sale in Arizona and includes an impressive amount of documentation.

1976 Lancia Scorpion

Up for auction is a 1976 Lancia Scorpion Beta sports coupe. This lovely little treasure is exceptionally clean inside and out. Extremely rare and nearly impossible to find in this near mint condition. This Lancia comes equipped with the original factory mid-engine 1.8L twin cam motor mounted to her five speed manual transmission. The Beta also has 4 wheel independent suspension and 4 wheel power disk brakes. Factor Air-conditioning that is complete and a rear defrost window as well. The rack and pinion steering makes the car handle great and a true sports pleasure to drive.

These Lancia Scorpions were only produced in an extremely limited quantity with this unit being number 383 out of about only fourteen hundred for the year 1976. They only produced them for two years total, ceasing production the following year, in seventy seven. The exterior is a stunning silver with red leather upholstery. Factor alloy wheels with Pirelli tires all around. She runs fantastic and hustles down the open road. This Scorpion Beta has a clean, straight and very dry body throughout. The Lancia has a very unique retractable sports roof that opens up and is a sheer pleasure when driving the automobile.

The rarity of this model makes people take notice immediately as the car demands attention. Styling by Pinin Farina attracts all from the Ferrari crowd at any car show it enters or attends. This Lancia has only sixty five thousand original miles with a clean Arizona title and complete factory paperwork including window sticker, shop manuals, dealer literature and much more. This is a fabulous car and will make a great auto for the astute aficionado and avid collector.

This car really does a good job of masking its 65,000 miles, even if this is a nominal amount for a 36 year old car. It's unreal to think this car is that old, as it still looks contemporary to this day. Scorpions in good condition can range anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 these days. If this example brings well over $10,000, I won't be surprised, as you'd be hard pressed to find a better one.

-Paul

Lancia

1976 Lancia Scorpion

April 24, 2012 Graham 5 Comments

Given the limited number of Lancia Scorpions sold new in the US, I've been surprised by the amount of mint condition examples that have come on the market recently. This Scorpion for sale in Toronto is remarkably rust free and has benefitted from a recent repaint. In red, this mid-engined Lancia exudes a decidedly Ferrari-esque aura.

1976 Lancia Scorpion

You are bidding on a rare 1976 Lancia Scorpion that is rust free and is ready to be put to use as a reliable and fun classic. The great thing with these cars it that just about every part is still available and at a reasonable cost, check out www.montehospital.com, you can even use this to build your own Martini Lancia 037 rally car replica. The bodywork was completely repainted in glorious Ferrari Rosso in 2009 and the only spot of rust was removed and repaired. This is one of only six in Canada and even in the States they are quite rare. People always think it is a Ferrari and it certainly turns heads.

Tires and battery are brand new. I also have a fibreglass double bubble roof insert which I use for winter storage, the folding top is still seviceable and I have a spare for when replacement is necessary. There is also a new carpet set, a the five original Cromadoro 13" wheels with 90% used tires, the original tool kit is also present. Worried about buying on-line and shipping across the continent? Don't be; this car was my first such purchase and since then I bought a Merecedes SL500 from California and recently purchased a 33ft Trawler in St. Petersburg. I will assist with shipping arrangements So why is the Lancia for sale? Let's just say that I am not as slim as I was and SL fits me better! I have a 2009 inspection/valuation available. Price is as is where is and being 36 years old the Lancia has no warranty.

Scorpions of this caliber usually sell anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000, with truly exceptional examples bringing a bit upwards of that range. I've said it before and I'll say it again: the value for money factor is high when it comes to the Lancia Scorpion. Few cars can compete at this price when you consider this vehicle's balanced chassis, crisp, Pininfarina lines and competition pedigree.

-Paul

Lancia

1977 Lancia Scorpion

March 1, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

The Beta was an unfortunate footnote in the history of Lancia. It is forever known as one of the most rust prone vehicles in history. The Beta was also the first Lancia to be launched under Fiat ownership and spawned one of the more interesting cars from the 1970s, the mid-engined Scorpion, or, Montecarlo, as it was known outside of the US market. This car served as the basis for the Group B 037 rally car and was also raced in the FIA World Championship for Makers, winning the title in 1980 and 1981. This particular Scorpion is one of the few that made it stateside and while not original, has been kept up rather well and wears a striking combination of pastel blue over red.

1977 Lancia Scorpion

The Lancia Scorpion was not only raved about in its overall performance and handling, but was a tribute to racing on the track with the mid engine italian design and high output 4cylinder engines. We would rate this Lancia Scorpion as a driver with investment potential based on the mechanical restoration that recently took place and the rarity of the vehicle. The blue repaint is in good condition but does show signs of overspray and runs in hard to see areas. The tires are in good condition as are the rims and wheel wells. The trim and badging are in good condition and the weather stripping looks ok. The cloth top and windows are in good condition.

The red interior is in decent shape. The seats, dash and carpet have been recently repainted and look good. The dash is free of cracks or bubbling and gauges seem to be in good working condition. The 1.8 liter 4cyl motor is in good condition and doesn’t smoke or knock when started. The 5 speed transmission shifts well and the clutch feels like it has plenty of life left. The brakes and suspension handle the sports car very well making it a blast to drive. Don’t miss out on this rare low production vehicle. There are few in existence and even fewer in this condition.

The auction is no reserve and if I had to guess, this car will probably sell anywhere in the $4,000 to $5,000 range. A car like this is certainly a conversation piece and will make others think you are driving a much more expensive exotic, given the relative obscurity of the marque here in the US.

-Paul

Lancia

1976 Lancia Scorpion

January 18, 2012 Graham 2 Comments

In the 1970s, Lancia's product lineup began to be influenced by corporate parent Fiat and the Scorpion was no exception. Developed as a complementary model to the Fiat X1/9, the Montecarlo, as it was known in Europe, bowed at the Geneva Motor Show in 1975. The name Scorpion was chosen for the US market as Chevrolet was already using the name Montecarlo stateside. Too meet federal regulations, a smaller 1.8 liter twin cam engine was employed, larger bumpers were installed and pop up headlights differed from the fixed, flush mount Euro market units. Only 1801 Scorpions were made between 1976 and 1977, and as with many Lancias of the 1970s and 1980s, few survived, succumbing to rust issues or mechanical failures too great or expensive for owners to sort out. This Scorpion for sale in California has seen only 47,000 miles and appears remarkably well preserved.

1976 Lancia Scorpion

1976 Lancia Scorpion. VIN: 137AS 0101192 CA Plate: 1QHV502

Fuel Injected, Montecarlo transmission with overdrive. I am a Lancia nut. I have owned more than two dozen Lancia Scorpions and this is by far the best, cleanest chassis I have found yet. I then had the entire car disassembled and fortified as listed below by the best known scorpion authority and marque specialist, Mark Rawlings of Sacramento. Extremely nice car with sunfaded original silver paint with a slate alcantara suede and black interior. This car has extreemely low mileage at 47,028 and has always received all necessary attention and maintenance. There is no rust on this vehicle and I invite all inspections. Please read the list of accessories and improvements to this car.

O37 Double-Bubble Hardtop
Series II "through the glass" side mirrors
Cromadora Daytona "melted" 5-star 14" wheels
Koni red struts all around
Alcatara suede interior
Sony CD/Infinity speakers

Blueprinted and balanced high performance engine including:
Bosch fuel injection conversion
9.5 to 1 high compression pistons
High lift, high performance cams
4 into 1 header and exhaust

The transmission is the extra rare Montecarlo unit modified further with a special 5th gear overdrive. (allows 80mph @ 4,000rpm) I call it Ultradrive. Incredible opportunity to own a fresh example of a very rare car. Drive this one anywhere. Very nice. Sounds Awesome.

Ever since the seeing the movie Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo as a kid, I've been interested in the Scorpion/Montecarlo after watching Herbie chase after the Scorpion in the flick. The asking price of $12,000 is steep for this particular model, but this car is in great shape, owned by an enthusiast of the marque and represents a fairly inexpensive way into a mid engined Italian exotic with more reasonable running costs than your average Ferrari or Lamborghini.

-Paul

Lancia

1977 Lancia Scorpion with Just 37k Miles in Florida

June 15, 2011 Graham

While admittedly not as desirable as the Montecarlo the Scorpion is based upon, this is still a sharp little car and with just 37k miles. It's a beautiful little car regardless of being down on displacement, choked on emissions equipment, and overloaded with U.S. spec bumpers.

1977 Lancia Scorpion For Sale on eBay

quote from seller's listing:

My personal car since 1986! I am the second owner! Notice the new front calipers on the pictures. Also, a bit of history, in 1987 I had the car totally stripped and re-painted. We found rust in the driver door and it was fixed and does not appear to have returned in 24 years! A few spots of rust returned a couple of years after I had it painted in 1987 and they never grew. Recently I had those fixed, so the car is virtually rust free. I have the original carbs, some older parts that were removed, a complete gasket set and belts, an extra original rim (when I bought the car it did not have original rims and I bought about 12 rims to get the 4 that are on it!

The seller is obviously a fanatic, and I think that is a good sign for the next buyer. You'll probably always be able to drop the original seller an email to field questions! Here's a video of the car for sale:

We actually have two of these running around town and they look fantastic. Sure it's going to have it's share of headaches, but for the price there's not a lot of other cars that will get the looks this car will.