1979 Lancia Beta 2-Door Coupe

Lancia Beta sport coupe [ located in Agoura Hills, SoCal ]

GIVEAWAY PRICE: $150 (includes California title). ALLOY WHEELS NOT INCLUDED.

I'm helping a friend who has a '79 Lancia Beta, and he's trying to find a new home for. It's more or less a project car, but my friend said it wouldn't take much to get it running and driving again. He has too many things he's working on, and too little time.

It's presently in Agoura Hills, in Southern California. On a mapping site like MapQuest, plug in zip code 91301 and you'll see that we're in the far northwest corner of the general Los Angeles area. Near Thousand Oaks or Westlake Village, if that helps.

I don't know that much about Lancia cars. This one has the 1800cc, 4-cylinder engine with a Weber two-barrel carb and a 5-speed manual transmission. I'm told it's a dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) engine. It has power steering, air-conditioning, power windows, and a manual sunroof. There's no radio in it, and the power window control knobs are missing. My friend says he has the original owners manual for the car. I think he said it still has the original jack. All the glass is there. If I recall, both bumpers (and rubber strips) are in decent shape. I'd have to double-check that.

It's a California-emissions-spec car with a CA title, but it hasn't been registered for some time. As far as I can tell from the documents, it has always been a California car. The odometer reads 41,500 miles, and I can't say if that's original or if has clicked over once (or twice?). To pass California's biannual emissions testing, I have no idea what it might take. I'm no expert, but it looks like all the emissions hardware is there. The back part of the tailpipe has been sawed off (after the rear axle) by someone who apparently wanted the tip, I guess.

According to my friend, he drove it about a year ago, but not far. After that, someone "borrowed" all the fuses and some relays out of it. I have not heard it run, nor have I done a compression check. I tried putting a battery in it, but when I tried to start the engine, it didn't crank and none of the dash lights lit up. I think the starter must run through a relay or some fuses that are missing. The original door, ignition and trunk keys are there and work, but the trunk lock opens sometimes, and other times it won't.

This Lancia is a light blue metallic, but it desperately needs paint. When I took a quick look, I didn't see any (cancer) rust, just surface rust. I took about 72 pics, and in one I see what could be a flaky cancer hole on what I think is either a front subframe, or a lower valance? I'd have to check again. The hood pretty much has no paint left, so it has a nice layer of orangey-brown surface rust. The leather interior is dark brown. The front bucket seats aren't mounted in the car right now, but the owner says they are in decent shape and, for the right price, he'll include them. The rear seat was real dirty when the pics were taken, but the seats almost look decent - with the exception of the sun-damaged headrests and the top of the rear seat. I can't remember for sure, but I believe the body had no apparent collision repairs, or existing dents or damage. I'd have to check, perhaps with a weak magnet that will reveal any body filler. I don't recall seeing any signs that it has ever been repainted.

Of the original Lancia spoked-alloy wheels, I think we only have two.

UPDATE: Primmax alloys (see below) are not included at the new $150 price!
It currently ntly sits on four modern-style, three-spoke "Primax" alloys with Firestone P185/65R15 "Affinity Touring T1" tires. I seem to recall the tread was pretty good, but I'd have to go check again.

Previous text: [[ If the car goes cheap, we may not include those in the deal. Because the aftermarket alloys have two different-size bolt patterns (ie: under the center covers), I'm guessing they will fit a variety of cars.]]] end of previous text.

My friend, the current owner, said he thinks the radiator needs attention, but he's not sure. (Partly because he owns a lot of interesting cars and gets them mixed up). There's another Weber carb that goes with it; I assume it's the same as the one on the car, but I don't know for sure.

In the pics I can supply, the front Lancia badge isn't showing, but it's inside the car. In one pic, I held it next to the center of the grill where it belongs.

The VIN is: 828C1608712. The last registration is for CA plate 978WDO, but I'm not sure if the plates are still there. I found a registration in the car that expired in 1982, when it was registered to a woman in La Verne who apparently owned it since new. Included the documents is a title transfer in early 1986. My friend, the current owner, has owned it for about 1.5 years.

I have lots of pics, if you would like to see them.

If you aren't interested, where would be a good place for me to find a buyer? While I'd rather it went to a good home, I'm wondering if there any auto dismantlers (er, make that auto "recyclers") that specialize in Lancias? Or?

The Lancia is presently in an RV storage lot that I need to vacate real soon, preferably in the next week or so.

Let's just say he's a motivated seller, so feel free to make him an offer.

FINE PRINT: MiniGuy / Lewis Motors makes no representations as to the accuracy of any seller's listings on our "Consignment - For Sale by Owner" pages, including but not limited to, physical or mechanical condition of vehicle, status of title or registration, any applicable emissions-equipment, emissions-testing or emissions-certification requirements, as well as relevant safety equipment or safety-related requirements, import status, or fitness for use. Please note that emissions or safety requirements may differ by state, region, or country. Potential buyers should consult their appropriate state or local agencies or departments to determine, among other things, the status of a particular vehicle related to the above, including vehicles that might normally be exempt from emissions testing, emissions equipment, or emissions certification requirements. For California buyers or sellers, more information may be obtained from various state and local agencies, including, but not limited to, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Bureau of Automotive Repairs (BAR) and the California Air Resources Board (ARB).


BOTTOM LINE: This is a case where it pays to do your homework. Be careful what you buy, you may not be able to drive it in California.

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MiniGuy / Lewis Motors (805) 405-6263 Agoura Hills CA