Lancia Motor Club

On the wild assumption I manage to sell my SL500, I want to replace it with a Fiat 130 Coupe.  Have had a Gamma Coupe in the past but I think the 130 is a better looker, with a nicer engine and interior.

Anyone care to disagree!!   ;D

Swings and roundabouts. Both are a lot of trouble and are rubbish to drive. Now that is an argument.

Linsay,
both are old cars and will need support and highish maintainence

Peter, I used to think you had reasoned, although sometimes incorrect, opinions
however statements like that are just intended to offend.

should add see more at www.retrospeed.

I'm trying to remember why I like Gammas? Oh yes. They have style, character, comfort and lift hearts and conversation where ever they may be parked. And as I understand it later ones are even reliable.   Damn it, after owning four, I feel another Gamma moment coming on.

Will you please make up your mind.  :o
It's not as though they are made out of
Marmite.

After the SL, they can only be as unreliable and less costly to keep going. £5500 for an ABS module anyone? Or £1800 for a asr accumulator.......

Maybe sell the Merc a part at a time...

David

the thought has occurred - more than once!

Both are super cars, I always thought the 130 Coupe should have been marketed as a Lancia to take over from the Flaminia Coupe and then the Gamma would naturally follow.

Looks is a matter of taste and both are beautiful, the 130 probably nicer internally with the velvet upholstery and sportier steering wheel, but the Fiat appears a larger car but despite its bigger engine it is slower and does not handle as well nor is quite as economical as the Lancia, not that fuel consumption really comes into it.

It's a tough call, which ever you choose should be a better bet and cheaper to run option than the Merc.

As to which car we know what you really want is a Flamina...and perhaps Richard didn't get the last good prospect?

...the other thought is perhaps widen the debate to include that lovely Flavia 2000HF for sale at the moment?  It would be my pick over the Gamma or 130.  While I love the idea of an earlier Flavia I'd enjoy the extra performance and modernity, and I'm not sure it would give all that much away to what's available new.

David

I had a 130 coupe a couple of years ago, the first thing is will it fit your garage ? It's a very large car. I never owned a gamma but I have driven a couple over the years. I think the gamma is a little better to drive as it feels more compact. the 130 felt very large and barge like. My 130 was agood car with only 30,000miles on the clock and in immaculate condition. I did'nt think it was nice to drive, maybe the problem was it was automatic and felt like an American luxo barge. You cant deny it's beautyful Pinninfarina good looks and super interior.  8) If only I had the space I would have kept it. but I fancied a Integrale instead. I never missed the 130. I woulden't say it was rubbish to drive but if you like sharp handling, fast exceleration and comfort buy a Thema turbo. ;D              Thanks, David.

Auto-Italia magazine had an article written by Martin Buckley comparing the Gamma Coupe to the 130 Coupe. It was late 2009 or early 2010 but I can't find my copy  :-\  So here's just a photo that might help make up your mind in the looks department  ;)

To my eye the 2000HF and Gamma Coupe are both timeless - they still look great and "could take anywhere".  The Fiat would be ok for a fancy dress party with the Elvis wig and shades.

The earlier 1800 Flavias stick out as a "classic car", which is sometimes good, sometimes not.  Another Fiat to throw in the pot is the 2300 Ghia Coupe.  I've always liked the idea of those, but am not even sure I've ever seen one let alone spoke to someone with direct experiance.  Maybe you'd find and like one of those as a Flaminia substitute.  Now what have we here :)

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-coupe-2300-s-coupe-torino-30642510.htm

David

Project:

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-2300-s-coupe-salerno-8988406.htm

Oh I do like a passenger foot bar...

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-2300-s-coupe-grosseto-29661087.htm

Maybe you'd like the colour, maybe let her choose what colour to respray.

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-2300-s-coupe-roma-29366961.htm

...or "see sense" (!!!) and one of the Flavias...perhaps a new thread for early vs late as they're quite different things:

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/148409

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/137990

But if its between the 130 and Gamma, then EARLY GAMMA !!

David

Nailed it in one David!  :D

Lindsay, the offer still stands to buy a share in the Flavia PF Coupe!

Ok sensible head on, I'll type quick before
I revert to my usual state.

Gamma coupe - long range comfortable (in the style
of a) Grand Tourer,  requires : good quality oil, frequent
changes of the belts, regular checking/ servicing of the
rear hand brake mechanism. Park with wheels in line.

Gamma Berlina - better car generally, four doors,
handles like the coupe, possibly less attractive (to some)
Servicing : as for the coupe.

Both very underated. Call for a chat if you wish.

Phew
Geoffff, just in timmme

Can anyone comment on Gamma vs Flavia? 

To me the Gamma is more stylish, I wouldn't be nervous of it mechanically given all the knowledge out there, and its an entry to a very "special" (as in "special needs?") club.  However I've no direct experiance of how they drive, if they have any niggles that get to you and so on.  Is there much space in the back?

A good friend had a 2000HF and nothing not to like about it...  Perhaps a little plain to look at but that is the flip side of understated good taste and the "go anywhere in it" ability.  Not a line or detail out of place.  A very different dash to the early cars but lovely.  Felt a lot quicker and more robust than his Vignale.  He had early and late Fulvias over the years and where I'd always go "early" with the Fulvia it was the 2000HF that stood out of his Flavias.  Not too big for town, nimble on a B-road, long legs for those "all day and half the night" runs.

David

One point that hasn't been raised
is the inherent safety in a Gamma.
Not many people know that it was
built with roll over frame, passenger
compartment safety shell and the
duplex braking system.

I will add that I'd love a Flavia or a
Flaminia  but I could probably get
5 gamma for the same money...

I've told you, I can't argue unless you PAY.  ;D

I paid for the full half hour.

No you didn't!

Yes I did

Oh this is futile! Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of any statement the other person makes.

See also http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=903.0

(BTW searches of this forum for “argument” turns up two pages of hits. ::) )

No it isn't.

Nice one Colonel !!!!!!!!!!

         Andy

Yes it is, and I'm quitting this argument before I get reported to the Moderator!  :D

Juveniles! 

The comment re the 130 being too big is valid. I don't think it would fit in the garage - but no doubt the rustproofing is good enough to leave it outside in the depths of winter in northern scotland.

And yes, a Flaminia PF Coupe is the dream but given the way prices are going on those, a dream it shall remain.

As an aside, having had a Gamma Coupe S2 (50/50 with Mike (Angle Grinder) and a 1972 2000 Coupe, I would say the quality of the 2000 was leagues ahead of the Gamma, but the Gamma was a better drive. The Gamma handled superbly. Pity about the naff interior, and ours had leather.....