1978 Lancia Beta Monte-Carlo Series 1 Spider
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*** Interested parties should note, this vehicle was subject to a CAT C insurance loss in 06/1998 ***
Highlights
- £38,000 restoration by Day & Whites in 2011
- £10,000 improvements since June 2021
- One of only 334 RHD Series 1 Spiders
- Rare Verde Metalizzato paintwork
- Large history file by Monte-Carlo and Lancia specialists
- Upgraded brakes and engine now delivering 150bhp
The Appeal
In the late 1960s FIAT was on a roll. After years of producing stylish sports cars with conventional layouts, it chose to go off piste. The result was the mid-engined skateboard, the X1/9, and the more grown-up Lancia equivalent - the evocatively named Beta Monte-Carlo.
Edgy Pininfarina styling and Lampredi’s evocative twin-cam 2litre made Lancia’s new sports car stand out. Unfortunately problems with the brakes curtailed production after three years and hammered the car’s reputation.
Those issues are in the past and enthusiasts are rediscovering a distinctive and highly engaging classic Italian sports car. Available in coupe and ‘spider’ variants - the latter notable for its folding ‘sunroof’ - just 334 RHD Series 1 Spiders were built before production ended.
This car is one of the very last of those first RHD Spiders built. Finished in rare and fetching Verde Metalizzato it was restored between 2008 and 2011 by Day and White at a cost of £38,000. This work included subtle upgrades lifting power to 150bhp and improving the brakes.
Since June 2021 a further £10,000 has been invested in mechanical improvements. Early Beta Monte-Carlos are exceptionally rare and this factory-correct car is one of the best we have seen.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st August 1978
- 11 registered keepers most recently changing in May 2021
- Chassis number 3852 of the 3,835 Series 1 European cars, the last being 3890
- Only 789 RHD Series 1 cars were built of which 334 were Spiders like this car
- History is recorded on registration WHB665T which we understand the car will be sold with
- Registration shown in photographs was removed from the car in March 2024
- Parts catalogue and factory handbook included
- Large history file of invoices from well known model specialists dating to early 00s
- Maintained between 2011 and 2021 by Omicron Norwich and Revivals of Thriplow
- Old MOTs which show apparent change of speedometer during restoration
- Recorded in the Lancia Monte-Carlo Netherlands chassis register
- This shows the car’s restoration in 2008 and change of previous keeper in 2021
- Appears to have covered around 5,000 miles since restoration by Day & Whites
- Reported £38,000 restoration by Lancia specialist Day & Whites between 2008 and 2011
- Always garaged and only used in dry weather
- Last MOT expired 11th May 2021 with 43,993 miles showing and advisories to note
- Now displaying 44,308 miles
Day & White restoration 2008 to 2011 included:
- Bodyshell stripped and acid dipped
- New floors and sills
- Inner and out wings replaced
- Rear suspension turrets replaced
- Door frame repair kit
- Noseband support panel replaced
- Rear screen channel refurbished
Hightone Restorations work 22nd June 2021 - £2,660:
- Repairs to brakes
- New clutch slave cylinder
- Steering box repairs
- Seat runner rectification
Hightone Restorations work 31st July 2022 - £6,961:
- Fit speakers
- Repair exhaust system
- Attention to carburettors
The Condition
- Rare and very appealing Verde Metalizzato paintwork
- Series 1 car with later Series 2 features including glazed rear buttresses and ‘split’ grille
- Original refurbished Series 1 Lancia alloy wheels with matching spare
- Quality Kumho tyres in good order
- Original standard fitment vinyl interior in caramel brown and in good order
- Very light interior wear visible but not detracting from overall quality
- Fitted with optional passenger door mirror
- Period-correct Blaupunkt stereo radio/cassette fitted
- Some light marks visible on interior headlining
- Two spoke rubber-rimmed Lancia steering wheel
- Spider model with retractable folding roof
This stylish Lancia looks fetching in its rare Verde Metalizzato paintwork following a restoration that was completed in 2011 and cost £38,000. This work, by Lancia specialists Day & Whites, was extensive and you can read a summary above. The result is a car that is in very good order, retaining many of its Series 1 features - like the lovely factory alloys - combined with some choice Series 2 improvement. The switch to glazed rear buttresses certainly improves visibility for the driver.
Inside there is a factory-correct brown vinyl interior that shows little wear and is pleasingly unmodified. Even the original two-spoke plastic-rimmed Lancia wheel is retained.
With the amount that has been spent on this car in recent years, we would advise it worth speaking to AutoLIGN UK with regards to removing the Cat C Marker on the car.
With the amount that has been spent on this car in recent years, we would advise it worth speaking to AutoLIGN UK with regards to removing the Cat C Marker on the car.
The Mechanics
- Twin cam 1,995 Lampredi engine upgraded by Day & Whites to 150bhp
- Recent extensive work to exhaust, carburettors, clutch system and steering
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Uprated sports exhaust delivering suitably rorty sound
- Uprated twin DCNF40 Weber carburettors
- Brakes uprated during Day & Whites restoration
- Koni shock absorbers
The clue to the Monte-Carlo’s capabilities lies in its name: Lancia’s years of success on the world’s rally stages fed into the technological set up of its new mid-engined sports car.
Power comes from Lampredi’s venerated twin cam 2litre engine. Early cars had a relatively paltry 115bhp, something that blunted sales. This car has been uprated by Lancia specialists Day & Whites to a far more appropriate 150bhp, work that includes a pair of DCNF40 Webers.
Another buyer bugbear was the over-servo’d brakes of the Series 1, a problem that led to the Monte-Carlo being withdrawn from sale for two years. Again, this car has been improved by John Day and now runs uprated brakes.
Since Day & White worked its magic the car was maintained by specialists Omicron and Revivals to 2021 and subsequently by Hightone Restorations. £10,000 has been invested via Hightone since then, work including attention to the rorty exhaust system plus the steering box, clutch system, brakes and carburettors. The car reaches the market in fine running order with no mechanical or running issues reported.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Whilst ****Car & Classic check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and so you are strongly advised to obtain a full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1978
- Make Lancia
- Model Monte Carlo
- Colour Green
- Odometer 44,308 Miles
- Engine size 1995
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Town Epping Green
- Location Hertfordshire
- Country United Kingdom
14
bids
from 9
bidders
- Ho•••• £15,950 11/04/24
- Cl•••• £15,700 10/04/24
- sp•••• £9,000 10/04/24
- Ho•••• £8,500 10/04/24
- sp•••• £7,000 09/04/24
- ca•••• £6,133 09/04/24
- sp•••• £6,000 08/04/24
- ne•••• £5,000 08/04/24
- pa•••• £4,200 05/04/24
- Sl•••• £4,000 05/04/24
The Gallery
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|---|---|
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