Classics by the Beach: March, 2025
This rather handsome 1981 Lancia Beta kicks off today's coverage of Classics by the Beach - southern Tasmania's best monthly cars 'n' coffee event - because: a , it's in very, very near to show room condition; and b , the Pininfarina designed, Zagato-built Spider was, as far as I know, never officially sold Down Under. I've certainly not seen one here, anyway. Sadly, but, from what I can gather, not unjustifiably, the Beta played a very significant part in trashing Lancia's once proud reputation as Italy's premium car maker. Many UK examples succumbed to rust - some so badly that it's said their engine / gearbox subframes were prone to becoming loose - although stories of entire engines falling out are most likely apocryphal. And Russian steel was not the cause! Most experts now agree that, like many Fiats and Alfas of the era, Lancia's corrosion issues were caused by poor rust-proofing ( no rust-proofing?), made worse by the rampant i...