1981 Lancia Beta 2000 Zagato Spider

Highlights

Advisory-free MOT until September 2025
Single ownership for nearly 40 years
Garaged off the road from 1988-2021
Professionally recommissioned by a classic specialist and 2024 Mille Miglia race mechanic
Only 56,578 miles (believed genuine)
UK RHD example: one of just sixty currently licenced according to 'How Many Left'
Preserved original Bianco Corfú coachwork
Wonderfully original interior, "even smells 1980s" we are told - sheepskin covers worn since first purchase

The Appeal

This is the sort of car that gets us very excited...

Five times rarer than an almost never spotted Fulvia, effortlessly stylish, and entertaining to drive, the Beta Spider is somewhat of an unsung hero from Lancia's illustrious back catalogue. Designed by Pininfarina, built by Zagato and blessed with Aurelio Lampredi's sublime 2.0-litre twin-cam, it was a true Italian thoroughbred aimed at discerning enthusiasts who'd appreciate a well-balanced, lightweight (only 1,060kgs) roadster.

Very few UK market right-hand drive examples survive, let alone those in unrestored original condition with such low mileage and ownership - but that's exactly what we have here. This 1981 Lancia Beta Spider was kept by the first owners' family until 2021 when our vendor acquired it. It's understood that the car entered dry storage in 1988 and didn't emerge for the next 33 years. As the images attest to, it was obviously very well stored and so remains one of, if not the most original surviving example in the country.

The Lancia has now been recommissioned by a classic specialist and 2024 Mille Miglia race mechanic and comes complete with a year's advisory-free MOT.

You'd certainly be hard-pushed to find another like this one...

History and Paperwork

Supplied to the UK in RHD in March 1981
Two previous registered keepers from new - single ownership for almost four decades
The car was reportedly a dealer demonstrator for the first six months of its life
Only on the road 7 years after registration, dry stored for the next 33 in a brick built garage
Acquired by the vendor in 2021, sympathetic recommission carried out over the next 3 years using new parts
MOT until 3rd September 2025
Once the new owner sends current V5 (showing PLG tax class as applied for in 2021, the Lancia's 40th not 41st year) off to DVLA, it should fall under their 'Historic' classification, and as such be road tax & MOT exempt upon logbook return, and likely ULEZ free
Original V5C logbook, MOT pass certificate, and Spider handbook included

The Condition

Delightfully patinated Bianco Corfú paint is believed to be original
Still wearing both its original Bolton Lancia number plates (the front one is charmingly cracked)
Protected from new by both the Cryla-Gard acrylic resin protection coating, and what appears to be both WaxOyl AND Ziebart still very present on inner wings/ around most cavities
No body repairs or paintwork have been carried out in current ownership, nor have any the vendor was informed of in its 33 years undisturbed
Original looking underside image confirms vendors' report of no welding/ plating, just slight signs of mid-passenger floor corrosion which is localised and was/ is not an MOT (suspension proximity) concern. Only other areas suggested as needing attention in due course are "both original rear arches from sill trim up, paint flake to passenger rear sill, and passenger side corner of the boot lid aperture"
Merino sheepskin front seat covers have protected the black sports leatherette since the 1981 date of collection, according to daughter of the long-term owner
Pirelli Cinturato tyres fitted all round
Sympathetically cleaned bodywork using only soap and warm water - no polishing or wax applied
Interior and carpets hoovered, retaining original storage dust on back seats, door arm rests, and dashtop so the next owner can decide on their preservation
Rear seat fabric also in excellent condition
Targa top in great shape, with working interior light
Original tonneau/hood and spare wheel covers, spare wheel, jack, and complete factory tool roll plus tool kit included
Original Lancia/Fiat dealer keyring
All pre-storage contents found inside will come with the sale: leather driving gloves found in the glovebox, original cotton tool gloves, motor oil can/ dealer de-icer bottle, roll of unused supermarket shopping bags, as well as road maps, air show tickets, tax discs and a few other fascinating assorted items
The vendor recommends a new rear hood if the original (shrunk in both rearmost bottom corners and taped up some time in the '80s) can’t be repaired
Boot carpet base missing (all surrounding side pieces present)
Passenger window manual regulator slow to wind up/down
Period radio does switch on/ light up, but the electric aerial (all there, unusually) isn't currently raising, so there's no reception

The Mechanics

2.0-litre 'Lampredi' four-cylinder twin-cam
5-speed manual transmission
Independent suspension and disc brakes all round
The vendor comments that it idles nicely, sounds lovely, with no smoke or fluid loss
Recommissioned by a local classic specialist and Mille Miglia race mechanic
Recent mechanical work includes new fuel pump, brake pipes, flexi hoses, sandblasting and powder coating of alloy wheels, new radiator, tank clean, carb refresh, new fuel filter, water pump, cambelt and tensioner, alternator belt, and NOS replacement silencer
Two of the three pieces of radiator surround tinware are missing, these are readily available used
Vendor reports that car would benefit from tracking to the front (track rod ends may need replacing)
The fuel sender reportedly needs replacement as fuel gauge not currently working

The vendor remarks:

"What a characterful, practical (generous 2+2 seating and hard targa top), daily-usable investment this could be! Even the heater works for some exhilarating, roof-off Autumn motoring! With some straightforward winter tinkering and light cosmetics (if you feel the need), what better way into Collector box-ticking, 'time warp' Italian exclusivity?"

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