droptop
5th June 2010, 01:09 AM
Hello folks. My name is Frank and I live in Ireland. I have been a fan of Lancias since my teen years. My first ride in one was in 1978 when I got a lift in one while hitch-hiking home from college. It was a silver coupe and when I got in, the driver asked me where I was headed and launched down the road at what seemed to me to be an incredible pace. No one in my family owned a car and this thing was awsome! He looked over at my clenched fists and glassy stare and then said the second of only three things he said during the entire trip (the third thing was "See ya"). The immortal words which I have never forgotten were "Relax man, tension causes headaches." My so-cool driver was also wearing shades which was rare in rural Ireland in the 70's unless maybe you were Phil Lynott ( Irelands greatest rocker- Google Thin Lizzy). Anyway, I have wanted one ever since but we believed that buying a Lancia was one of the silliest things you could do, so "common sense" prevaled until seven weeks ago when I bought a 1978 Beta spider or zagato as it is called in some markets.
The car had a full body rebuild in 1988 and had been in storage ever since. There are some small bubbles under the paint, but nothing alarming and the only work I have carried out on the body is to clean and polish it.
Mechanically, things are good. The car has only 33 thousand miles and the brakes, steering, suspension and transmission are excellent.
The work I have undertaken to date is a cooling system overhaul including water pump, thermostat, rad. and hose clips.
Both metal water pipes had to be repaired and a core plug replaced.
The timing belt and tensioner have also been replaced along with the usual ignition components and an in-line fuel filter was fitted.
I had to overhaul the engine bay electricals as well as the previous (and only other) owner had done a lot of "strip and twist" repairs and the main battery and alternator cables had reached meltdown some time in the past. I rebuilt the starter and alternator as well for peace of mind and fitted a battery kill switch.
That is basically it for this year. I plan on having the seat cushion upholstry repaired and the brakes fully rebuilt over the winter, but for now, I need to get it out and enjoy it.
Finally, if anyone knows of a right hand tail light, please let me know. I see how scarce these things are and have repaired mine using the front amber lens off a 1998 Mitsubishi L400 van from my local breakers , a heat gun and a silicone gun. Whilst the result is not perfect, it is waterproof and street legal.
Anyway, thats the story so far and it has been great fun getting it this far along as I am lucky enough to be able to carry out all the work myself, although the bodywork will be a job for someone else in about two years time as will the upholstry this winter. ( I had a very traumatic experience with my '84 BMW E30 drivers' seat!)
So folks, enjoy the summer and I look forward to meeting some of you at shows in Ireland during the coming months, My car is red and the reg. is 666 FZB so if you see it, come over and say "Hello" :D
The car had a full body rebuild in 1988 and had been in storage ever since. There are some small bubbles under the paint, but nothing alarming and the only work I have carried out on the body is to clean and polish it.
Mechanically, things are good. The car has only 33 thousand miles and the brakes, steering, suspension and transmission are excellent.
The work I have undertaken to date is a cooling system overhaul including water pump, thermostat, rad. and hose clips.
Both metal water pipes had to be repaired and a core plug replaced.
The timing belt and tensioner have also been replaced along with the usual ignition components and an in-line fuel filter was fitted.
I had to overhaul the engine bay electricals as well as the previous (and only other) owner had done a lot of "strip and twist" repairs and the main battery and alternator cables had reached meltdown some time in the past. I rebuilt the starter and alternator as well for peace of mind and fitted a battery kill switch.
That is basically it for this year. I plan on having the seat cushion upholstry repaired and the brakes fully rebuilt over the winter, but for now, I need to get it out and enjoy it.
Finally, if anyone knows of a right hand tail light, please let me know. I see how scarce these things are and have repaired mine using the front amber lens off a 1998 Mitsubishi L400 van from my local breakers , a heat gun and a silicone gun. Whilst the result is not perfect, it is waterproof and street legal.
Anyway, thats the story so far and it has been great fun getting it this far along as I am lucky enough to be able to carry out all the work myself, although the bodywork will be a job for someone else in about two years time as will the upholstry this winter. ( I had a very traumatic experience with my '84 BMW E30 drivers' seat!)
So folks, enjoy the summer and I look forward to meeting some of you at shows in Ireland during the coming months, My car is red and the reg. is 666 FZB so if you see it, come over and say "Hello" :D