Lancia Motor Club

Just wondered...

Is anyone considering getting one of these (I guess in LHD form) and when?

Much too expensive for me I'm afraid  :(

Neil

You know my tale of woe... Tsk.

Subject to the Lancia model range at the time of choosing, I'm hoping to have saved enough to trade-in the Ypsilon for a Delta in July 2010. The date's driven by the fact I can run my Ypsi in lieu of a company car until it's 5 years old. I'm hoping to get a Delta at the year-old stage, when the first owner has suffered any epic depreciation!

Mind you, if fuel prices keep rocketing, then I'll be back into the company car scheme, taking the tax hit for the company-provided fuel and choosing a diesel from VW, Ford or Renault.  :'(

I am saving the deposit now with the intention of getting one as soon as the 1.9 turbo diesel goes on sale in RHD.  I don't mind taking the hit with depreciation as I will probably keep it for more then a few years!

Just ordered mine ;D see ebay    Lancia Delta HPE Concept car 1:43 dark blue Item number: 250263389140 
 
   
 
 
Brian
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Ditto (blue and black) - light blue and red too pricey for an impulse purchase :-\...  God bless Mr Tang and all his minions ;D.  Had plenty of stuff from him before - he's usually good.

As for the original question, the real one will be my company car just as soon as M. Francois sees fit to sell me one.  2.0 diesel, Oro spec, if I can afford it.

As you say, Impulse Buy ;D Mr Tang was on a "Buy Now"; I did see someone else selling the same model but the bid had got to £4.99 with a few days to go, so it was a case of the last big spenders!
Only thing is it appears to come minus a box?
Think I've dealt with Mr Tang before as well; I also want a "Star" Fulvia Series 1 Berlina to go with my Mercury original version in Blue(kept all the boxes for them ;D), but at present they are a bit pricy once you've added on the P+P,  I'm waiting in the hope that a Grey version will turn up, preferably Doncaster Grey.

Brian
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Fear not, the Starline Fulvia Berlina will be cheap and everywhere soon enough!  But its a 2C I think?

Certainly not a Normale as there are no overriders, but it could be a series 1 GT, unless it has 2c written on it anywhere it would be hard to tell, as the 2c Motif only appears on the Grille or the back panel.

Just having a look at my Mercury Model reminded me that it's actually a Normale.

Brian
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I've seen it listed on various websites as a 2C.  In that cream colour, its almost a spitting image of the car that Lee Proudfoot drives - the one formerly owned by Peter and Lin Baker and campaigned on the Historic Monte (it still has the dent!).  However I imagine the casting would lend itself not only to other colours, but also to modification into other versions.

Always the risk when bidding for two of the same item on e-bay - you end up winning both.  So if anyone wants a dark red metallic version of the New Delta, I will have one to spare.  Unfortunately its got to come from China, so it won't be here in time for the AGM.  I'll check the price with postage once I get it confirmed, but its likely to be cheaper than the 'Buy it now' alternatives, and it'll be in the UK.  I'd rather sell it to a Lancisti than bung it back on e-bay, so let me know if you are interested.

I'll have it ... to go with the integrales and S4 ... I'd actually like an old shape delta too (like yours) ... if such a thing exists ... ?

There's a model of the early Delta 4WD in 1.43, in silver, which is all over e-bay, and cheap.  That's the nearest to my car - with the normal delta wings and doors.  I'd love to see a standard car modelled, but so far no joy...

See for example in silver: 120278164467, 110265619939, 370065120734 and loads of others, or in red: 110267488519

Think your wish may be granted Steve, though at a price.  See 160255611445 and 160256582057.

Quattroruote are doing an offer on their site of both together ;D

Have a look a top right of the page, also a road test of the new Delta.
http://www.quattroruote.it/edicola/luglio08/index.cfm



Brian
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But can't work out how to buy the set from the site?  Worth doing since these are going for £30 inc postage on e-bay, which is a bit steep...  Anyone got friends in Italy who can get a few?  Don't think that'sthe 86 HF 4x4 model that's in the Quattroroute set either - the lights look to be rectangular, the bumper looks like the one from the early Deltas, and the wheels look like the early alloys or steel wheels.  So well worth getting hold of.

Ominous by it's absence is any mention of Lancia/Fiats intentions regarding New Delta warranty policy.  The general car buying public will need some incentive to buy Lancia and I think unless a three year 75,000 mile warranty is offered, why would they take a chance?
Recent publicity suggests the normal gap between what rose tinted spectacled Lancisti would like to believe and the actual truth (as told by our motoring journalists) that all modern cars are pretty good so Lancia are going to have to be better than good to stand out.
I think the new Epsilon will be easier to place in the U.K. market than the Delta, the enthusiast in me , hopes I'm wrong!
Keep 'em rolling. Peter Gerrish

A five year warranty is being heavily advertised for the the Bravo, I imagine Fiat UK will try a similar deal - they would undermine the brand if they did not.  I also think price and spec are going to be critical - its got to be cheaper and better equipped than the competition its pitching at, but not so cheap as to appear cheap...

If i read the road test here (in belgium), the journalists appear to want to like it but still come out a little unconvinced at the end .Nice engines, average handling, poshed up fiat interior is the conclusion.Not bad but your going to have to really want it to pay the price.

I think it will remain a niche purchase for buyers that simply want something a bit different.I just wish Fiat would target the niche of "exotic handbuilt sporting" cars instead.if they want to, Fiat can make the Alfa 8c so why don't they just do something a bit special with a Lancia and blow our socks off.The 8c was sold out before you got a chance to ask the price of one....

Well, I finally have the wheels in motion for getting a new Delta 1.9 Twin Turbo Platino.  I have the funds in place and am planning to go to Amsterdam on Wednesday 27th to place my order with the hope of taking delivery in September.   ;D

Well done Stuart,
Will it be an addition to your fleet, or will something have to go to make room :'(.


Brian
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No, it will be an addition to the fleet.  I did consider letting the Lybra go, but I have become so attached to it that I feel that I would regret selling her!  The only thing that is going in order to make room is the back garden, so that the driveway can be extended  ;D

Sounds like a good idea ;)

Brian
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If you are buying from Auto Halan, you will be shocked by how good the service is compared to the UK. Its 7 years since I bought the last of my three Lancias there, but Melchior still phones me every birthday to wish me "happy birthday"

They also make the collection of your car a special event, your car is under a cover and they unveil it for you like a new model at a motor show. Last car I bought in the UK, just got given the keys and told it was outside somewhere

It is indeed Auto Halan that I am dealing with.  I have only been in touch by email so far and have been impressed by the level of response I have had from Melchior.

I had a similar experience last time a bought a car from a UK dealer, although I was atleast taken to the car and shown where everything was. I still got the impression the dealer was thinking 'I've got your money now so be on you way'!

I bought my Elefantino Rosso from Van Dyck Schouton in Rotterdam who also were very helpful and treated us as valued customers, even to the extent of arranging a B & B for me, and a taxi to collect me from the B & B and take me to the dealership the following morning.

Alan Cooper bought his new Delta Hpe Turbo from them before me, and I went there on Alans recommendation, and consequently another friend bought his elefantino Rosso from them, on my recommendation ;)
When I had a bump in it The Fiat Dealers in Bedford at the time (Priory Motors) were experiencing problems getting some of the parts required for the repair from Fiat/Lancia, particularily the seat belt tensioners that had fired off in the fairly low speed the crash, even though the airbag didn't ??? a call to Van Dyck soon had the parts in transit.

Your experiences of UK dealers certainly doesn't sound anything like we received when getting our Grande Punto :'(
Brian
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This seems to me to be a case study in how to get it right ...

Anyone reading this board in the future would see a very well recommended Dealer ... and it's easy to see how one happy customer can lead to a chain of others.

Let us know how it goes Stuart :)

Hi Stuart

Great news. Have you decided on a colour yet ? We were in Italy a couple weeks back and were on Delta 'watch'.
Over the 3 days we spotted 15, mainly in and around Turin, they do look very distinctive on the move but as has been mentioned
before I think they are colour 'sensitive'.

I don't know if I expected to see more but our friends in Turin said they are selling reasonably well. Considering the Alfa MiTo hasn't
been out that long there were a lot of them , I suppose they are in a different (cheaper) market segment.

Look forward to seeing the car Stuart

Regards

Steve

its just an evil ploy to win back the 'Best Modern Lancia' crown at the AGM concours... :-*

Hi Steve.  Yes, I have decided on the colour that I want, which is Grigio Tempesta (Thunderstorm Grey).  It is about the same colour as Gunmetal grey.  I agree that the car is senstitve to colour, and think that dark colours are best.

I will let you know how I get on with ordering it!

Stuart.

Unfortunately I have never yet held the honour of having the 'Best modern Lancia'.  ???  Maybe at the 2010 AGM though......

Good choice!

Saw a couple in that colour, really suits it.

Steve

When I first saw pictures of the Delta (before I knew what colours would be available), I thought it would look good in gunmetal grey.  From the pictures I have seen of cars in Grigio Tempesta, I think it is one of the more striking colours.

Lovely photo from the offside rear qtr of the Delta at Rheims, in amongst the photo in the Sliding Pillar Rally section.

Brian
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Thanks for the link Brian. Here's another pic overlooking the vineyards and River Marne.
This was 'My car' for the Sliding Pillar weekend as the Aurelia was not finished in time, I quite liked driving it, the only negative points were the bone hard ride ( it was on the optional 18" wheels) and the poor quality of some of the interior plastics. Ade

Great Photo Ade, it really looks good in that colour scheme. ;D

Brian
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Well I got one!  Righthand drive "Lancia" Delta 3 - great.  Have done 1500 miles so far much with aircon on and averaged 57.6 m.p.g. It's great to be driving a modern "Lancia" again.

And the Front view.

I almost bought one last weekend, it was in Sleaford. We discussed the value for money offered by C-Word Lancias at Betameeta. The guy in Sleaford wanted £4500 for a 61 plate 1.4 petrol Delta with 43K miles. I think they are great value.
My poor old Polo crashed and burned (almost literally, the fuel tank was leaking!) at it's MOT and is off to the scrap yard, so hopefully an all 'Lancia' fleet before the end of the summer.

Just took the plunge and purchased a 2012 Chrysler Delta 2.0 Multi-jet Limited- Fantastic Spec & great value. Once I pick up it will transform into a Lancia Delta 3 FL 2.0 M-j Platino. All badges sorted in & out plus grille & hub caps, next step will be engine cover, sill covers and head rests. Looks like i'm going to have to live with glazing, key fobs & Sat Nav screen.

Nice One!
any pictures before and after would be good
Clarkey

Will do, as soon as I collect it, I will drive out of the dealers and commence the transformation- the amount depends on how many of the ordered parts have arrived and if it's raining or not, then I may have to wait until I get home.
Initially I have ordered the grille, the rear tailgate badge (& a spare), replacement wheel centre caps, rear quarter badges, steering wheel airbag cover section and initial logo stickers to cover the circular Chrysler badge on the engine cover and the headrests.

Brian, Yes the glass- that it what I was meaning by 'glazing'- I will have to live with that i'm afraid.

Cheers,

Paul

Transition Period-

Is it a Chrysler, is it a Lancia?

All the external Chrysler badges have gone. New OEM Lancia badge to rear quarters and to tailgate, also genuine centre caps to wheels. Still awaiting new black Momo Lancia grille (to match roof) & steering wheel airbag cover. Temp fix on grille (Not too clever- but better than Chrysler badge), sticker covers badge on steering wheel & on engine cover and cloth patches (latest Lancia badges) on 4 headrests.

Progress in pictures so far- First (pdf) is as it was, rest as it currently is- work in progress.

Very nice Paul ;D
Brian
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Latest pictures of transformation- New Lancia 'Momo Edition' design grille to match gloss roof, Door sill covers (Lancia transfers on carbon fibre effect trim), OE Steering wheel airbag from Italian LHD car, head rest cloth inserts (cover Chrysler wings) & glazing badges. These go along with the previously installed rear hatch badge, rear quarter badges, OE Lancia wheel centre caps & Lancia badge that completely covers Chrysler version on engine cover

I am trying to get some software to remove the Chrysler emblems that flash up upon starting the engine, but other than that, that's it.

Do you think I will be able to convince the DVLA of its new status?

Just bought Alan Cooper's Delta and I'm delighted with it. Very economical, quiet and reasonably quick. It's doing nearly 60 mpg!
Does anyone know how to turn up the brightness of the instruments? The controls are too complicated!

I'm actually quite liking the look of these new Deltas', the Lancia bits and bobs beats the Chrysler stuff hands down, in particular I like the matt black grille on Paul Greenaways' car

Does anyone have an idea on cost of items such as grilles and badges? Assuming those that have changed things will know  ::) ;D

Can you get stuff UK based or is it order from a Fiat garage and wait?

Kevin,

All my badges, grille, wheel centre caps and complete steering wheel airbag hub were purchased from Italian Ebay, badges are a few euros each (25mm pair for rear quarters especially so) and just basically stick on if although Chrysler badging more difficult to remove than you may expect and shadow on rear glazing remains for about 6 months following removal even after plenty scrubbing & weathering. Grille was about E150, wheel centre caps (make sure you get correct ones for type of wheel fitted as they vary slightly) about E120 and airbag hub about E70. There's postage and fitting costs (not wheels) on top of these prices too.
Once you have completed all this there's still the window etching, engine cover, head rests & door sills to overcome as all have Chrysler logo's but you can see what I have done, but by far the biggest issue and most annoying point is the Chrysler electrical display on the instrument binnacle display and if fitted the Sat Nav system. Why Fiat/Chrysler went to so much trouble & expense to go to this degree to give the Delta a Chrysler identity in the UK is beyond me especially when they sold last than 800 of them.
Hope this helps.
Paul.

Excellent information Paul thanks, just the ticket.

I remember reading about the display and wondered if there's been a solution found. I also noted the headrest covers but didn't account for the originals having the Chrysler logo, again all good info.
I have noticed a few different grilles available on ebay, particular favourite is your matt black one.

Thanks again for the info, all very useful.
I'll keep my eye out for the perfect car. In the meantime my Alfa 145 may have to suffer a winter on the road.

I quite fancy this, what with the MOMO Design bits and bobs. Yes its LHD but Im used to that.

https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/lancia-delta-diesel-grey-4c6c7179-a3fd-914e-e053-e350040a0eda?cldtidx=3

Or maybe this? Not another black car Richard, surely!  ;D

https://www.autoscout24.com/offers/lancia-delta-1-9-mjt-twinturbo-dpf-s-diesel-black-46ed74e8-3521-44d8-a0fa-bd5cdd60f74b?cldtidx=4

I like black cars, but I hate black wheels, just makes everything too dark,
Must be my age, but I completely miss the point of paying for a car in matt black ???

One question Where's poo???
Brian
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POO is with John Brain, Brian. Hope to see her one day in the not too distant future!

Somebody obviously likes 'em in black. Its sold, or appears to be, that listing has been removed. This is gloss black, but I know what you mean with matt finish cars, looks to me as though theyre still in primer waiting to be painted!  :D

Here is the "original"

https://www.laterza.com/auto/usate/torino/lancia/delta/diesel/delta-1-9-mjt-twinturbo-dpf-s/1911422/

It is interesting the prices that the Lancia versions still command in Europe compared with the Chrysler badged cars in the UK. Euro 9,000 (approx £8000) for both those 60K +mile cars is good. If the 1.9TT Diesel had come to the UK I doubt they would fetch much more than £5,000 as a Chrysler.

With you there Brian, I just want to get the polish out when I see a matt black car  ;D Always think it'd be a giggle to get the polish mop out and write "clean me" with the mop so it's got a permanent shiny message  :D

Wicked!

Kevin

You just missed out on Alan Cooper's Delta which he sold about six weeks ago after being for sale at the National meet in Kenilworth. It was already fully badged up as a Lancia. Not far from you too (Grimsby). Perhaps the new owner won't settle with it.....

Yes it was lovely, Alan really went to town on it, however he took it to the AGM and parked in the car park, but no one seemed interested, so I forwarded the details to a member as a little bird told me he might be looking for one.
Brian
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Jan and I are very please with our new Delta 3 thanks to John Millham. As discussed previously, I would like to change the front seat head rests but apart from that and closing your eyes on start up, the C word only stays on the screen for a few seconds. Interesting about the windscreen labels though, I think I have missed where they came from, please do tell.

As an aside, why can I not attach a photo the correct way up please?