Teach Me Lancia Zagato

There is one near me on eBay. I've always liked these and o know they have rust issues.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291458448264?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The person who sold my the Milano I used to had had owned some, I don't think that other than rust they had any major problems, but they said they were not all that exciting. If its cheap and not rusty why not get it? Italian cars aren't really all that scary, and if its not your only car to drive to work there is no reason not to try it if you want to.

I am assuming you mean the beta based one, correct?

IMO it is worth owning a Lancia just so you can by parts from Mike at Lancia spares. That dude is awesome !

the pre fiat ownership Lancias are fascinating cars. I don't know much about the betas

Underpowered rust bucket with random electrical issues. Handles great for a 70's fwd chassis. Made me swear off Italian cars.

More reliable than a Maserati Biturbo!

Fiat engine (good) turned sideways and stuffed into a place it doesn't belong (horribly bad). Rube Goldberg shift linkage. Some parts now made of unobtainium. Laughable resale value. Handling a bit soft and the power steering I found terribly vague for an Italian car. If not rusty (big if) they are solid cars and offer a four-seat convertible experience that is pretty safe for an old car.

For myself, I can think of multiple other cars that would be easier to own and more fun to drive, but if you like skinning your knuckles while contorting into impossible Yoga positions to do regular maintenance then this car may be for you.

In reply to ddavidv:

Which is to say, that like many other Italian cars- and perhaps more than most others- it's a car of passion well over logic.

I had one. It as enjoyable to drive, when it ran. Which wasn't all that often. The handling was quite nice for a FWD car, particularly from that era.

You will have a tough time selling it when you choose to do so.

BAMF wrote: I had one. It as enjoyable to drive, when it ran. Which wasn't all that often. The handling was quite nice for a FWD car, particularly from that era.

This. I had a very nice one, and it was indeed a joy to drive. But every time I went to do so it was a roll of the dice if it was going to start.

I think I best ............

http://www.hemmings.com/hsx/stories/2012/06/01/hmn_feature2.html

In reply to JohnRW1621:

Saying that the Zagato is more reliable than the Biturbo is like saying that one kick to the crotch is better because it's not two kicks to the crotch.

It's still not good.

ddavidv wrote: Fiat engine (good) turned sideways and stuffed into a place it doesn't belong (horribly bad). Rube Goldberg shift linkage. Some parts now made of unobtainium. Laughable resale value. Handling a bit soft and the power steering I found terribly vague for an Italian car. If not rusty (big if) they are solid cars and offer a four-seat convertible experience that is pretty safe for an old car. For myself, I can think of multiple other cars that would be easier to own and more fun to drive, but if you like skinning your knuckles while contorting into impossible Yoga positions to do regular maintenance then this car may be for you.

Buddy had one, have to agree with this. The best thing going for it is 4 seater capability (barely, not much if any rear legroom if the front passengers are tall). Pic to give an idea:

It wasn't terribly fast and had all the usual Italian electrical weirdities of the era.