Lancia Motor Club

Model Technical and Interest => Gamma => Topic started by: John Larkin on 11 July, 2021, 09:02:05 PM



Title: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 11 July, 2021, 09:02:05 PM
I bought a Gamma berlina today.  It was an impulse buy.  It's a 1980 car -- manual gearbox, running, driving, sticky brakes, no apparent significant rust. Will I regret this?  It cost me €2550.  Not the end of the world even if it's not a sound as it appears to be.  More to follow in due course. You only live once!
John Larkin.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: Thotos on 12 July, 2021, 12:01:49 AM
Of course you won't regret it! Gammas are great cars that deserve a lot of love!  ;)

www.GammaConsortium.com

And you should join the forum at www.lanciagammaforum.com


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: lancianut666 on 12 July, 2021, 08:50:15 AM
Nice One pictures please!!!


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: poppy67 on 12 July, 2021, 10:46:27 AM
Is that correct euro's ?
If so which country, so we can evaluate the value of the model compared to UK prices.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: Parisien on 12 July, 2021, 01:49:01 PM
Is that correct euro's ?
If so which country, so we can evaluate the value of the model compared to UK prices.

John is listed as living in Dublin, the last Lancia I test drove from the 1980s, was in Co Monaghan 5/6 years ago, it more or less self combusted after it had come to a halt!


P


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 14 July, 2021, 12:17:51 PM
The Gamma arrived this morning.  It's not flawless, but I have a good feeling about it.

Frank, I bought this car from a guy in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan.  It's black (not original colour), manual, 2.5 litre.  It was originally a UK car.  Same car that you looked at a few years ago maybe?

Regards,

John.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: Parisien on 14 July, 2021, 12:40:09 PM
The Gamma arrived this morning.  It's not flawless, but I have a good feeling about it.

Frank, I bought this car from a guy in Ballybay, Co. Monaghan.  It's black (not original colour), manual, 2.5 litre.  It was originally a UK car.  Same car that you looked at a few years ago maybe?

Regards,

John.


That's sounds very much like it John! Stick up some photos, wishing you all the best with your purchase

P


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: Gammaray on 28 August, 2021, 09:33:28 AM
Yes , post some pictures! So few of these around now. The price sounds fine. Make sure you do those belts before driving it, they’re easy to do. Good luck with it.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 09 June, 2022, 02:18:35 PM
The new power steering pump installation was finished today.  I can now drive the car without trepidation.

John


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 24 August, 2022, 03:10:33 PM
I drove the Gamma home today (twenty-two miles) on mixed roads including motorway.  Only problem was low oil pressure, but the oil level was OK.  This was my first drive in the car since I got it, apart from parking manoeuvres.  It is not perfect, but it is a nice car to drive.  Everything works except for the handbrake; the electrics are lethargic however.  Lots of detailing work ahead! Also maybe a new oil pump. 

John.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: lancianut666 on 25 August, 2022, 06:27:28 AM
Could it just be the gauge or sender?
Clarkey


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 25 August, 2022, 06:52:43 AM
Hi Clarkey,

The oil level and oil pressure gauge needles were in the white sections when the engine was cold and while warming up, but both dipped into the red sections with the engine hot.  I suppose it is more likely to be an electrical issue than a defective oil pump.  I'll investigate. 

Regards,

John.   


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: Thotos on 25 August, 2022, 08:52:00 AM
Most Gammas show low oil pressure. Jack Romano used to say "as long as the low oil pressure light is out, don't worry about it".

It's worth checking the actual pressure with an external oil pressure gauge as the Gamma gauges and senders are known to be wrong. Also worth using a good-old-fashioned 20W50 oil rather than the modern 10W30 oils.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 25 August, 2022, 03:45:29 PM
Thanks Theo.  I appreciate the reassurance!  I am actually looking forward to driving the car and finding out what things need to be done to turn it into really good car. I think that I am going to become fond of this car.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 04 March, 2023, 02:49:36 PM
I sold the Gamma today to another member of the Lancia fraternity here in Dublin. I am happy that it has gone to a good home.

John Larkin.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: Parisien on 04 March, 2023, 03:00:38 PM
I sold the Gamma today to another member of the Lancia fraternity here in Dublin. I am happy that it has gone to a good home.

John Larkin.

John, did it go to an LMC member? Got any other photos of it? How many Lancias are there in greater Dublin area or should I ask David?

P


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 04 March, 2023, 03:07:25 PM
Dear Frank,
The buyer is a member of the Lancia club here in Dublin. I do not know of any other running Gamma berlinas in Ireland, but there are three or four Gamma coupes undergoing restorations I believe. I still have a 1949 Aprilia berlina. At a guess I would say that there are maybe thirty to fifty Lancias in running/restorable order in the greater Dublin area.
Regards,
John.


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: Parisien on 04 March, 2023, 03:15:40 PM
Thanks for that John, correct to assume vast majority post 1960 or even 1970? Would there list of who owns what per chance? Is your Aprilia be an original Irish registered car?

I'll be updating my own restoration thread during March!

P


Title: Re: I bought a Gamma today
Post by: John Larkin on 04 March, 2023, 04:42:22 PM
Post-1970 I'd say.  There is a handful of 1920s Lambdas about. My Aprilia has a 1954 Dublin registration.  There is no list of owners that I know of.