1983 Lancia Montecarlo
It’s easy for us to get a little blasé about working on rare Italian cars. On any average day we could have enough cars to fill a self-respecting classic car musuem dotted around Renson Close. But, each time we’re asked to work on this particular Lancia, it gets even our pulses racing.
How can anyone with even an inkling of interest in retro motoring not have a soft-spot for these? Mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, those oh-so-70s buttresses swooping down the rear and, of course, the connection (however diluted) to the legendary Rally 037. These cars are special and so is being afforded the opportunity to work on them. The owner of this particular one is a regular italicar visitor, having purchased the Fiat 124 Spider we’d restored along with our father a few years back.
This time around, the Monte’ was here for an MoT and general healthcheck. It was the first time we’d taken the car for a test and, as with any car of a certain age let alone a thoroughbred Lancia sportscar, you’re never entirely sure of what’s going to be unearthed. Luckily, though, there really wasn’t too much to break into a sweat over. An anti-roll bar wasn’t adequately supported, a bracket holding the steering column in place needed sorting and the indicators were a bit hit-and-miss. I know, you’re all probably gasping at the very idea of a 1970’s Lancia having electrical gremlins, but it’s true.
It’s a great example of a great, often neglected model and we are genuinely excited about continuing to maintain it.
