Thema 8.32 | Classic Italian Cars For Sale

How about another poster boy for 1980s sports sedan creativity? By now, the Lancia Thema 8.32 hardly requires introduction. The result of the Type Four collaboration among Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat, and Saab, the Thema was Lancia's premium mid-size sedan from the late 1980s into the 1990s. With an engine design from Marenello and assembly help from Ducati in Bologna, the Thema 8.32 received a modified variant of the Dino V8, called the Tipo 105L in cross-plane form.

Thema 8.32s are lustworthy on principal; how many sleepy European sedans got Ferrari lumps, ever? So we don't mean to throw a wet blanket on the idea in pointing out that Alfa Romeo totally won the Type Four platform contest. Ever care to look up the power numbers for an Alfa Romeo 164 Q4? If you've already bought your Thema 8.32, skip to the end of this post. Alright, ready? The 164 Q4 made a cool 232hp vs 212hp in the Thema 8.32. Better yet, it routed that power through an AWD driveline, thereby quelling the inherent torque-steer of a high-power FWD drivetrain.

1988 Lancia Thema 8.32 Ferrari engine red side — *Click to view listing*

Year: 1988
Model: Lancia Thema 8.32
Engine: 2.9L V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 95,248
Price: $37,975
Location: Monterey, CA

1988 Lancia Thema 8.32 engine Ferrari interior — *Click to view listing*

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1988 Lancia Thema 8.32

Ferrari V8 Powered Executive Sedan ... fresh engine-out service, fully sorted, professionally restored and mechanically A1. Truly cherry.

Rare and remarkable Ferrari V8 powered executive saloon. The car being offered for sale was recently discovered by our team in Italy and has undergone a full mechanical restoration and a thorough cosmetic refresh, inside and out in the last six months. We have just imported the car and all paperwork is in order.

We started with a very original, low mileage example in very good overall condition. Front subframe and engine were removed for a complete engine out service and rebuild. The Ferrari V8 received a full valve job, new rings, new flywheel, new clutch and fully refreshed ignition and fuel injection systems. The engine, cover and manifolds were refinished in the original colors and finishes. Driveshafts and drive system serviced and refreshed. Engine compartment cleaned and detailed prior to engine reinstallation. New full exhaust system installed.

Exterior panels were refinished in original factory shade of metallic red. Double clear coat laid over the metallic burgundy finish and hand sanded to a high luster. Bumper covers repainted. The undercarriage is rust and damage free, undercoating has been refreshed as required. Wheels have been cleaned, inspected and refreshed, fitted with period correct tires all around with 75% tread depth remaining. Comes with a second set of new, period correct tires.

The original plush Alcantara interior has been meticulously cleaned and detailed, including a refresh and refit of the unique headliner. Seats, dash and carpeting are now in superb, original condition. Trunk linings have been removed, cleaned and reinstalled. Various interior trim pieces renewed, all interior lights, switches and electronics checked and redone as necessary. Retractable rear spoiler is fully functional and fitted with new, unique seals.

The engine starts readily, runs very strong, idles nicely, and shows Ferrari power and grace under acceleration. The car sounds fantastic with the expected Ferrari V8 edge to the well muffled tone. Gearbox shifts cleanly and smoothly, new clutch engages progressively and the entire drivetrain shows the level of sophistication expected of an executive car. Handling is crisp and accurate with a reassuring stability. Torque steer is well controlled by the advanced front end geometry and suspension design.

All details have been professionally attended to and this car is fully sorted and ready to enjoy.
Rare, intelligent, sophisticated and refined the Lancia Thema 8.32 is a very special motorcar.

RESTORATION DETAILS 2018 work
Engine Out complete rebuild
Flywheel resurfaced
Valve Job inc. new valves and guides
Strip and Refinish all painted parts
Rebuild Brake Calipers
New Brake Pads
Service Fuel Tank and Pump
New Timing Belts and Idlers
Front Subframe removed, bushings replaced as needed
New Exhaust System inc. Flex Connectors
Driveshaft bearings, seals, CV joints
Wheels cleaned and polished

Original Interior Refreshed
Refitted Headliner
Clean & Detail Upholstery and Carpets
All Interior lights & electronics checked
Refitted Trunk liner
New Retractable rear spoiler seals

Original paint refreshed as needed
Hand sanded, new double clear coat finish
Bumper Covers repainted and finished

Odometer 153,287 Km = 95,248 miles
Car is located in San Francisco, shipping to any US location can be arranged.
Viewing by appointment

Offered at $37,975 plus tax & DMV ... serious inquiries only please.

All import paperwork is in order. This car will come with a valid Vermont registration, Vermont plates and a bill of sale. Please note that Vermont does not produce titles for cars that are more than 15 years old. Registration in most states should not be an issue, but please check local regulations.

1988 Lancia Thema 8.32 engine Ferrari cross plane — *Click to view listing*

Elephant in the room: this seller wants almost $40k for a nearly 100,000 mile Thema 8.32. $40k is collector money for a car that has most definitely exceeded a collector level of mileage. Is the condition collector-worthy? Well, the engine has seen some major rework, including a claimed rebuild and some head work. The exterior was refinished in the original color, while the interior remains original. Sounds like the basis for an excellent car, yes, but we don't see the original condition often sought by collectors. More than anything, the seller is banking on the rarity of the car leading to a rather optimistic price.

We would need quite a large collection before we'd shell out nearly $40k for a Thema 8.32. And that collection would definitely include an Alfa Romeo 164 Q4. Moreover, we'd go for a common Alfa Romeo 164 Q, without the AWD, before we'd pick up the Thema 8.32. Better styling, quicker acceleration, higher top speed, and better handling rule the 164 Q superior. But, there is no denying the appeal of a Lancia with a Ferrari engine, and we love the Thema 8.32 for that reason. Hopefully we can share a more realistically-priced Thema 8.32 for you all in the near future.

-Graham

Periodically, one will spot a Lancia Thema 8.32 for sale, usually in an opportunistic import & flip scenario. As recently as March 2015, a nice specimen of this rare, Ferrari-powered FWD Italian executive saloon appeared on this site with an enthusiastic (Ferrari sounds) yet cautionary (better be friends with a Ferrari mechanic) CICFS analysis.

Was the 8.32 European royalty in its day, albeit perhaps an elusive monarch who was admired but few ever saw (e.g., Queen Beatrix)? Let’s say that I witnessed exactly one example during my three years in Germany. As a breathless attendee of the 1987 Bremen Auto Show, I recall there being but two cars on display that were locked from peasant-entry: the Porsche 959 and the Lancia 8.32 (feel free to insert obligatory Italian central-locking reliability joke).

Many of you know how this almost-mythical four-door 308 come to be. In an automotive act akin to NATO’s settling on a 120 MM smooth-bore cannon for its various members’ main battle tanks (my earlier M1 had a relatively skinny-necked, rifled 105 MM main gun), the Swedes and Italians developed the Type Four platform to underpin the Saab 9000, Fiat Croma, Alfa Romeo 164, and Lancia Thema, respectively. That cooperation begat attractive, space-efficient, and relatively-mainstream 1980’s – 1990’s sedans that, naturally, spawned special editions such as the Alfa 164Q; Saab 9000 Aero; not sure if I recall the Chroma’s flagship; and of course, the 8.32.

Year: 1991
Model: Lancia
Engine: 3.0L V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 170,000km
Price: €13,999

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1991 Lancia Thema 8.32

Bei dem angebotenen Fahrzeug handelt es sich um das exclusive Lancia Thema 8.32 Modell mit einem überlegenen Sportwagen-Triebwerk von Ferrari.
Der V8-Motor stammte aus dem Ferrari 308 GTB Quattrovalvole mit 32 Ventilen und wurde speziell für den Einsatz im Lancia Thema überarbeitet.
Sie haben hier die einmalige Gelegenheit, mit geringem Kapitaleinsatz, ein luxoriös ausgestattetes Fahrzeug mit einem heute, in dieser Qualität von keinem Hersteller mehr verbautem Interieur zu erwerben.

Click to view listing

We all know what’s happened with competing sedans of that era. Cosworth 190E’s have become scarce, both in the U.S. and in Europe, with pricing well along the hockey stick trajectory. Surviving Alfa 164Q’s and Milano Verde’s are more common, but values have also risen somewhat. To the CIAFS staff, prices of 8.32 listed have seemed optimistic, as if the admittedly-cool Ferrari component makes the car worth five times more than, say, a 9000 Aero in similar condition. Armed with our recent successful self-import of a 1991 MB 300CE-24 with dogleg stick and Hugo Boss-style cloth interior, our senior (oldest) staffer concluded one recent winter’s night that he’s savvy enough to try his luck with an 8.32. Abetting that transaction were a very forthright seller, a Bosch shop owner acting in a quasi-consignment capacity, plus an exploratory visit from Blythbros before money changed hands. Such factors aren’t likely to converge for future searches. Moreover, given our German-language skills and many warnings about buying a used car in Italy (with our considerable Sicilian bloodlines, we’re allowed that act of discrimination), we’ve narrowed the search for Germany. We’ll count on a combination of the attributes described in the ad, photo quality, and gut feel. And of course, U.S. importation laws (some combination of EPA, DOT, and Customs) do not allow cars of less than 25 years’ age.

The first candidate was a beautiful private-party car near Nürnberg with relatively low kilometers, extensive records including a recent timing belt, and a fair price. The market agreed, and the car lasted mere days. We’re therefore describing a dealer-listed car with great attributes and a killer front plate. The August 1991 manufacture date makes it legal, and the claimed 170,000 KM equates to around 4,000 miles annually. Maintenance records would reveal whether this is a just-out-of-storage example that would need attention to gaskets, fuel system, suspension components, tires, etc. The photos point to very mild interior patina and near-perfect exterior condition. I didn’t say a perfect actual exterior, because the black color doesn’t hide that this car makes a Volvo 740 seem curvy. And even the wood trim and dash scarcely take the interior out of the dour zone. The present EURUSD rate puts the €13,999 asking price at around $15,000. Tack on $1,000+ for ocean shipment, a TBD amount for inland trucking, plus another $1,000 for customs duty and miscellaneous port charges, and the grand tally is in the $17,000 - $18,000 range. Fly to Germany to make this a vacation like we did with the CE, and you top out near $20,000. We don’t recall ever seeing an 8.32 listed in the U.S. for less than $25,000. What we don’t know is ultimate transaction prices. Either way, for (insert plain sedan name – Corolla, etc.) money, one can have a coveted, mellifluous, square sedan that’ll definitely be royalty at cars & coffee events. If that excites any readers, CICFS will be happy to be part of the sourcing, logistical, and retrieval process.

-Matt