Lancia Beta Forum

This time last year was the beginning of three months of glorious weather (for us in the West Country of the UK anyway.) My 1600 Coupe and I had many happy miles together.

So I’m eagerly awaiting a repeat. Is it time to get it off SORN, get it MOT’d (even though it turns 40 in August when I won’t need to worry about such trivial things.)

And is it time to bolt on the shiny things foraged over the winter?

Hell yes (said very optimistically.)

I'm not sure about summer, but surely no more salt!

I've also got a pair of those round shiny discs to go on, along with pads of course,
but i'm going to wait and do them last, before it gets taxed again.

I've seen your car pictured before, have you had it long?
More pics always good!

Regards, Nigel

Hi Nigel
I’ve had this one for a couple of years now, I’ve posted pics on here before but I’m not as active on this forum (or any forum) as I should be.
I had a 1600 when I was 18 (1989) and have been after another one ever since. I bought it as a rolling resto, I intend to spend way too much money on it!!!
Here’s a pic with its stablemate...
Drew

Drew,
Like you, my first was a 1600 Coupe, an early '76.
It's such a sweet engine, compared to the lumpiness of the 2 ltr.

Everyone tunes 2 litre engines quite successfully, I haven't read of 1600's being
worked on to a similar extent.

Nigel

Yep totally with you on that one. I had an HPE Volumex in the early 90s and although it was slightly quicker I preferred the 1600, it’s a joy to drive, seemed to be more free-revving and somehow a bit more eager. Hence I’ve been on the lookout for a non-basket case 1600 for years. This one turned up on eBay a few years back.

I have had a 1300, a 2000 (carb), and a Volumex, but I agree that the 1600 is great fun.  Lots of pep and buzz.  Try it with digital engine management for even more fun.    I have not tried the other Beta engine sizes or an injected 2000.  I have a 1756cc Lampredi in a Fiat (badged 1800), and that is great.

It's definitely summer because in my garden you can put your foot on seven daisies.

Also, recreational driving is not banned, so vroom, vroom.  Today I am having a huge faff trying to get my old Italian motorbike on the road.  I may give up and go off in my Beta. 

I too found the 1600 was more free revving than my VX. That's a nice series 3 spider too. I've some parts if you're looking for some as I sold my S4 a few years ago.

Spring!  On Monday I overtook a 1970 Porsche 911 in my Beta.  Yesterday in the Beta I saw a cool young dude in a Triumph 2000 or 2500 coming the other way, and also saw two Mark 1 MX 5s, and a 1920s or 1930s car going at, I reckon, 50 mph plus along a fast bypass.

I am going to put in a vote for a VX with a few modifications. The VX in OE form is astonishingly detuned almost a lazy V6. However fit IE camshafts, a pulley 1 tooth smaller, a DCNF and a cold air supply it can be astonishingly free revving and powerful with low down torque for excellent acceleration.
Stripping out the factory work around junk used to make a fuel injection pump work with a carb engine and you get reliable fun.

Power and free revving is about easily breathing cool air. Just count the number of 90 degree turns in the OE VX inlet and the stupidity of putting a metal box on top of the engine as the air intake. If you keep the OE set up at least put heat mat on the underside of the airbox.

Rant over

Eric