Lancia Motor Club

Having given up on the idea of Flaminia ownership - I am just not enough of a toff or wealthy enough, I am about to make a purchase though.

Well on the way to securing the ex Agnelli Thema S3 3.0 LX station wagon. So fingers crossed we can work out the logistics. I'll keep the post going re progress but it is in France just now so a bit of effort needed to get it back to the UK.

Been after this car for about 8 years so well thrilled!

Oh Dear...

what do you mean "oh dear" Mr Prophet of Doom!

Where in France?

Just over the border from Geneva. I think the seller is driving it back to the UK though, at least that is the plan at the moment.

You mean we're not just getting one way tickets to go on a Jolly to "Somewhere in France" to buy an unseen car... we must be getting old!  :-\

Hi Lindsey, good luck in securing this special.
Are you sure it rally is ex-Agnelli though?
Be careful as lots of cars seem to have been owned by him and actually weren't!
It should be silver grey with black leather and should be auto, and look for other unusual accessories which would have cost lots to a normal buyer..
Regs.
Paul.

I'm pretty sure this one is genuine from what I know from correspondence with the current owner.  If we could have covered the travel costs, we could have had it at the NEC last November.

If not, I'm free at the moment and would be willing to pick it up. For expenses only! :D

Hi Paul. Couldn't swear it is, just the story that goes with it. I remember when the seller bought it from owner number 2 in Sw3itzerland. It was they who said it was ex Agnelli. Whether there is any documentation to support this I don't know. Story also is that electric seat setting number 1 is for the man himself. Again, who knows but it is a good story.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter to me whether it is an ex Agnelli or not - that is not the motivation. I just want it as the S3 LX SW is ultra rare and hardly ever come up (I have read only 20 were made but again no idea if that is the case).

I had an S3 LX saloon from 1999 to 2001 which I sold to a chap in Japan - he came over to look at it! Well he was coming to Italy anyway so made a 2 day trip to Scotland to do some fishing and see the car!

Very kind offer! Thank you so much  ;D

Does it have the electronic suspension fitted? Hmmm, might be after those shocks!

It did, been converted to Koni adjustables. So no luck there - although the original struts are coming with it......

Couple of pics of the LX. :)

Lindsay, it's always a shame to have to give up the dream of buying a particular car, a Flaminia in your case, but the Thema sounds like a great find !!  I wish you the best of luck getting it and much much fun using it.

My sister lives in France, just over the border from Geneva in a village called Grilly. God forbid that you should have any problems, but if you did, I'm sure she'd help, if she could, with a little local knowledge.

Good luck and keep posting,

                         Andy

Hi Andy, many thanks. The Flaminia is the real dream but will have to remain as such. Too many bills to pay to be able to justify or afford to look after one properly. But this Thema is a good substitute for me, albeit will never be in the Flaminia's class.

Thanks for the offer for help. The car is actually located very near Grilly. Hopefully it will only become my "problem" once in the UK!

Maybe although it doesn't look silver grey..it has quality leather though, and it would have to be auto due to his left leg problem(if he drove it)it may have belonged to the family..
As you say it is an added extra to know he owned it as ong as there is no premium attached to the price!
Paul.

Don't say "given up" on the Flamina, merely "not this time". 

Who knows what might happen in the future?   I never thought I'd be able to buy a project Aurelia let alone one in running condition and then compete with it.  That window of opportunity closed again but much as I sometimes have to pinch myself to believe it it did actually happen.

Anyway - that Thema looks quite a find - well done !!

David

Thanks David. I think the PF Coupe would actually be a good investment to be honest - which I know is no reason to buy it. But I appreciate the words of encouragement.

One of these days.  :)

Don't do anything with them until I can see if they're ok!!!!!

Don't worry. As far as I recall, one had started leaking but the other 3 were ok. But haven't checked with the seller recently so my memory may be wrong - which ain't unusual!

When are you picking it up? There's another on sale on Mobile.de at 9000 euro. :o

Is that the green one? Been on sale for well over a year. not worth 9k, which explains why it is still for sale! 99.9% would want an 8.32, not a mouldy 12v Alfa engined estate. But I like it, so there!

No idea when getting. Seller to drive it over from France, where it will go direct to Western Lancia to bring it up to 100% and go from there. I imagine it will be at least a month before I get my grubby hands on it. Which hopefully will give me time to offload the SL500 and recoup all costs of getting back to a Thema. I will never complain about parts prices again after the Mercedes experience. (well I probably will but I will only need reminded!).

I will get in touch Matt when I do get it as the dampers come with it and I don't see me ever putting them back on.

Good luck Lindsay, sounds right up your street.
A few years ago I was very interested in the Thema Limousine that Martin Willems has for sale, can't remember what he was asking for it, but he's still got it, and that must be a least 6 years ago when I enquired about it. But it would certainly be a talking point to own.

Brian
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Hi Brian, just taken a look at the limo. It certainly would be a good one to have for interest. As you may recall, I had an S3 LX 3.0 saloon some years back and it was such a great car. The only thing at the time that could top it for me was the SW, so this is too good a chance to pass by.

Arrives a week today. Going to Alan Wesson at Western Lancia for a once over and a few fettling jobs. Then we have the "issue" of getting it from Exeter to north of Aberdeen. Not quite worked that one out yet!

Looking forward to getting this car though. Had my beady eye on it for around 5 years now. Lets hope it lives up to expectations!

Well done Lindsay, your patience has been rewarded !!!

Keep the thread going please and let us know how it all goes.

You can never tell, but one day, perhaps soon, you may have a Flaminia sitting alongside it.

Best wishes,

                 Andy

Looking forward to seeing a few pictures, I've been a Thema fan since I bought my first one in 1994, I have always fancied a Station wagon. Did you see the video on youtube about the guy who re-built a station wason with 8.32 engine and parts  ? (sounds like a punch line for a joke) Good luck with the car. David. ;)

Exeter to Aberdeen? Simples - drive the car! Aberdeen to Exeter? Simples - Flybe from Aberdeen Airport to Exeter Airport and a taxi! 2 hours 20 minutes plus taxis at eitehr end, or get collected by Alan.

I used Flybe to get to Exeter from Manchester two years ago when I bought the Grande Punto from a dealer 10 miles from Lands End. Fortunately they had a Fiat branch in Exeter and insisted on the car having it's first service before I collected it and were happy to do this at Exeter.

Hope that helps!

Guy

Hi Lindsay.
I agree a great car to have, fast luxurious workhorse. Just didn't want you to pay over the odds as it may not be ex-GA
Paul.

Thanks Andy. The Flaminia would be glorious!  However, the rate things seem to be going it is more likely to be joined by a push bike...

Thanks David, yes have seen that video. Cracking conversion too.

Sounds like a fair plan Guy. May well come to it, although the lazy side in me was going to get it transported up!!!

Hi Paul. Thanks for that. I get what you're saying. I wasn't buying it because of the connection, real or otherwise. I couldn't give a hoot if it is an ex GA car or not. But you are right about not paying over the odds because of it. I have known the chap selling it for 5 years or so, and he is a real Lancia gentleman, so no worries there. He also has first dibs on it if it ever gets sold.
cheers
Lindsay

Have you collected the SW or the Kappa yet?

Hi Matt. Well the Kappa fell through - wasn't convinced about the seller to be honest. Seemed more interested in the money than the car (which I suppose most sellers are in fairness).

Thema SW is with Western Lancia having a few jobs done to bring up to scratch. Once it is here with spare dampers, I will let you know!

The LX SW has returned to it's original owner sadly. Having looked to see the work involved to bring it up to the condition I would like, it just did not make economical sense. Very sad as it is something I had been after for years and reputedly only 1 of 20 ever made, but sense had to prevail on this occasion......

Lindsay,
How about the UK Registered Thesis in VL your end of the World for £4K, looks quite tasty and looks like your sort of motor ;D

Brian
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What a shame Lindsay, you had been so patient and persistent to get as far as you did ........... I am sure your day will come, I just hope it is soon.

Best wishes,

                Andy

Hi Andy, many thanks for your kind words. It was a long time coming and I may come to regret not putting the money into it to get it to A1, but although cars are more than just economics, it has to be considered.

A fine suggestion Brian. It arrives next week!

Brilliant Lindsay ;D ;D ;D ;D

Brian
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Thanks Brian. Not my ideal choice of engine and box for a Thesis but given the used market for them in the UK, best to pounce on what comes up!  Will only do minimal miles in it and no traffic up here so a manual box not really a bind. And it has to be better than the very low 20s the V6 would give in mpg terms. If it was going to be an everyday car then even the 5 cylinder turbo would probably be too gutsy these days. But I have always fancied one as you probably know, so too good an opportunity. Only thing that scares me is the HUGE amount of complex electronics so if some of that decides to go fizz then there could be HUGELY expensive trouble, but will address that if and when.   That's if I get it moving at all. Keyless entry and start and electronic handbrake means I might not even be able to move it out of the transporter people's yard! What's wrong with a key and a lovely handbrake lever!

I'll let you know how it goes.
cheers
Lindsay

Lindsay,
I'm going green already, manual or not I've loved the Thesis since 2003 when we went for a visit to Turin, staying a Le Meridien Hotel in the old Fiat Lingotto factory, we called into a Lancia/Fiat Dealer in Turin to have a look at the Thesis, the Fiat Idea ( to get an Idea, no pun intended), what the Musa would look like, the new 2nd series Ypsilon and the then new Fiat Panda, they were very helpful and knew there was no chance we were buyers, just enthusiasts but they still let look us and have a good poke around and a sit in the Thesis, it was/is at the top of my wish list, that is apart from a Flaminia Berlina, but I've never been able to afford either :'(
Bags first claim on the passenger seat if I manage to catch up with you in it sometime ;D

Brian
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Good choice the Thesis, I had a test drive in Italy about six years ago, I was very impressed with the interior. I cant think of a car that impressed me so much on the inside, beautyful leather and general fit and finish. Well done.  :) :)