Lancia Motor Club

So I am lucky enough to have three cars.
A Gamma Coupe S2,
Fulvia coupe S3
and a Vauxhall VX220. (Ridiculous but fun)

I do have ocasional access to the family BMW 318, but it's not really mine and I find it so dull to drive I avoid having to use it.

So my problem is clear, what do I buy for when it's cold and wet and the roads are salty. I don't really like any modern cars but there must be something engaging to drive for not much money.

Any ideas.

 Dedra, Y10 or a Thema. There are still cheap runners around now and then, though not for long I suspect.

Plenty of threads on pistonheads.........suggestions.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C665211

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C640842

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-940-ESTATE-TURBO-/151851728674?clk_rvr_id=913636478034&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-MERCEDES-w124-300E-AUTO-BLUE-/291591380499?hash=item43e4335e13:g:OGoAAOSwA4dWHPqJ&clk_rvr_id=913636181472&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

P

Y10 would be cheapest to run, is quite engaging and those skinny tyres are possibly less of a liability in the snow?

Thema with winter tyres. Never been stuck in 10 years.

you already have 2 ideal winter cars. They just need protecting from salt. You must try your Fulvia in snow as with your gamma on winter tyres. Brilliant car with so much torque and weight over the front driving wheels and low cofg

You have some nice cars, and like you I would want to keep them tucked away over the winter, (As I do with my Flavia Coupe)

My choice would be a SAAB 900, it`s quirky (Like a Lancia), well built (Like a Lancia) and whilst being a bit of an old classic, is still capable of every day use in the winter,
(It`s made in Sweden !)

Bob

I'll definitely use the Lancias during the winter. Used the Gamma last winter and it seemed to like the cold temperatures.
At the current rate of progress I may not get the Fulvia registered before Spring 2016. Very frustrating.
However I'm in the process of rust proofing it. I use Dinatrol which seems quite good.
One thing I've noticed on the Fulvia is that there appears to be nothing stopping water running down into the cavity between inner and outer front wings and nowhere for it to drain away. Obviously I can pour lots of Dinatrol into there, but will I not still get water collecting? Maybe I've missed something.

Wish Fiat had made that new Fulvia. That would have been an ideal modern to run alongside the nice old stuff.
Looked perfect, even if it was just a Punto.

One of the very best and only 2nd behind the Impreza Turbo was my 2000 saloon on winter tyres. Never stopped and of course supremely comfortable. Only problem was the low heater efficiency! 3rd was Joanna's 2CV which was amazing!
Brian

The common denominator is winter tyres!!!!
I tend to use my Transit. This, when I tried to drive it on snow/ice with normal tyres, was like Bambi in the Disney film!!! Winter tyres and it was transformed. It is now my vehicle of choice when conditions are bad. It must be admitted that my wife does not always approve of this!!!

                              Andy

Used a BMW motor bike for my 20 mile commute at one time and about this time every year scoured Exchange and Mart for a £100 Taxed and Tested runner for the winter. had some interesting vehicles! Mainly Alfa 1750 and 2000 saloons and a Lancia 2000. Chopped them out come Spring usually for about what I paid for them.

What about a Fulvia S2 Berlina?  :D Tax free and MOT'd till April '16. Scruffey in the extreme but structurally sound and mechanically good. Heater? less said the better! Some spares plus a set of 4 doors in excellent condition to complete a rolling restoration.

Robin.

That's an excellent suggestion. I vividly remember a heavy fall of snow one winter when the ONLY car which could get up Egham Hill on the A30 was jackys Fulvia Berlina 2C. And talk abou8t a Q car in the wet !!
Chris

Robin, a Fulvia Berlina is a lovely idea. Not sure I need another car that I could lose whole weekends tinkering/ fixing etc.
But on the other hand I could so easily convince myself it's a great idea. Would have to be quite cheap though.

Wish the Italians still made nice cars.

They do, but they start at £50K plus!

I don't know, using a 30/40/50 yr old rare classic Lancia as a winter hack would be signing its death knell in a much shorter period unless it was stuffed full of waxoyl et al and in decent condition to start with.


Plenty of other more modern stuff that needs to put to the sword......;)....first!


P