Volumex | Classic Italian Cars For Sale

The Beta gets a bad rap as the car that gave Lancia a great headache in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the catalyst behind the company's exit from the UK market in the early 1990s. What has become the butt of jokes in certain automotive circles spawned a very curious model was spawned: the HPE, or High Performance Estate. Based on the longer wheelbase of the Berlina, this two-door shooting break appeared three years after the Berlina and Coupe arrived on the scene. Towards the end of the production run, the HPE was offered in VX trim, which included the supercharged, 2.0 liter engine that produced 133 horsepower. These VX Betas are almost extinct from the scene these days, but this HPE VX for sale in the Netherlands is bound to have Lancia (and estate) enthusiasts drooling.

1985 Lancia Beta HPE VX

HPE Volumex in excellent condition. In my posession since 2001. Engine and suspension overhaul 2007. Well maintained, carefully restored. Complete maintenance file available. Ready for daily use, a pleasure to drive. Lack of space forces sale. Car can be seen and tried in Hilversum, Holland.

At a tad over $8,800 USD, this is one pricey Beta. Usually, if you can find a Beta in similar condition in the US, you'd probably wind up paying around $5,000 to $6,000 at the high end. You certainly wouldn't be likely to come across a VX model, however. A few years ago, Audi showed a TT Shooting Break concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. I've always wondered why this vehicle configuration isn't more popular, because, for a single guy like me, having a two door performance car with a bit of increased practicality is just what the doctor ordered.

-Paul

Does a standard Lancia Beta Coupe seem a bit too ordinary or reliable for your tastes? Knowing how ridiculous that statement sounds, it might seem a bit more reasonable upon glancing at this late model Beta 2.0 Volumex. Toward the end of the Beta's life, Lancia decided to add a Roots type supercharger into the mix for better performance. Capable of producing 135 bhp and the expected increase in torque over the normally aspirated 2.0 liter engine, the VX as it was known differed from its lesser engined siblings by way of a hood bulge and front and rear spoilers. Stiffer suspension was also a part of the package. Just under 1,300 VX Coupes were made; this rare Beta is on offer in Italy about 30 miles south of Milan.

1984 Lancia Beta 2.0 Volumex Coupe

Car is in excellent condition. Very rare, engine 2.0 liter supercharged. For any information please contact: lorenzo.blitto@libero.it. Thanks

A regular Beta Coupe will run you anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 on average, with only the most exceptional, museum quality examples reaching towards the upper part of that range. This Volumex is on offer at $11,449. It appears this has 53,000 km (~ 33,000 mi) on the clock, not a surprise given the nice presentation. But over $10,000 for an almost 30 year old Beta? Given the car's reputation, I doubt it will bring those kind of numbers. Realistically, we might be looking at $7,000 to $8,000 at the maximum for this car.

-Paul