1989 LANCIA THEMA FERRARI 8.32 for sale on donedeal

the culture of deference · 10-09-2011 12:04am #1

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2283507

I remember seeing one of these in London a long time ago. Anyone here ever driven one. It the same engine thats in the 308. Must be a headcase of a car.

from wiki

The ultimate Thema, the '8.32' ("8" standing for the number of cylinders and "32" for the number of valves) was assembled at Lancia's S. Paolo plant in Turin.[4] It used a 2927 cc Ferrari V8. This engine was based on the unit used in the Ferrari 308 qv and some of the componentry was assembled by Ducati [5] from castings made at Maranello.

Anan1 · 10-09-2011 1:05am

I've never driven an 8.32, but I have driven a 16v turbo and that was a lot of fun.

skyhighflyer · 10-09-2011 2:18am

I don't know. These things sound great on paper and all but all you really have is a creaky Italian saloon with a not particularly powerful Ferrari 308 engine in. I like Italian cars as much as the next guy but I'd imagine they're disappointing to drive and something like an Alfa 166 V6 would be whole lot better.

carchaeologist · 10-09-2011 6:51am

Make sure the cambelt is in good shape!!

dingding · 10-09-2011 9:00am

I don't know how you would change the rear set of spark plugs.

I'd say they are right up against the bulkhead.

TomMc · 10-09-2011 9:19am

Would be a nice sleeper even though the spoiler looks a bit naff. The last few Thema's with the 3L Alfa V6 are probably the best of the lot, if you can find one. Think they were auto only.

ShadowHearth · 10-09-2011 9:55am

i think it has more collectable value then performance lads...

Absurdum · 10-09-2011 10:51am

I would have thought it would fetch a lot more money in the UK or mainland Europe than here. Still, tis something different!

Thema 8.32
The ultimate Thema, the '8.32' ("8" standing for the number of cylinders and "32" for the number of valves) was assembled at Lancia's S. Paolo plant in Turin.[4] It used a 2927 cc Ferrari V8. This engine was based on the unit used in the Ferrari 308 qv and some of the componentry was assembled by Ducati[5] from castings made at Maranello. The engine differed from other Ferrari V8s of the time in that it was equipped with a cross-plane type crankshaft rather than the usual flat-plane crankshaft, smaller valves and different firing order. All this to make the engine characteristics more suitable in a four door luxury saloon. Both Series 1 and 2 cars in non catalysed form produced 215 PS (158 kW; 212 hp) and were capable of 0–100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and 240 km/h (149 mph) whilst catalysed versions were slightly detuned to 205 PS (151 kW; 202 hp) which gave 0–100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and 235 km/h (146 mph).
The car offered good performance (though the Turbo version was quicker than the catalytic version from 0 to 100 km/h) and excellent refinement, including a luxurious hand made wood-and-leather interior by Poltrona Frau complete with the same luxury equipment as LX versions of the Thema. Unfortunately, a price tag of £40,000 (or more) in Britain, and the fact that only left hand drive versions were produced, limited its appeal with only 9 being officially sold there. This version of the Thema also sold in limited numbers in Italy with 2370 Series 1 built between 1986 and 1988 and 1601 Series 2 built between 1989 and 1992. 64 numbered vehicles were made, 32 series 1 and 32 series 2. These were only available in Ferrari-red.

Numbers aren't exactly breathtaking, nor would the fwd set-up.

johnos1984 · 10-09-2011 11:07am

Thats been up a while now.

It's more of a wafter than a sports car

bijapos · 10-09-2011 11:11am

I've driven one a couple of times, nice car very unusual, but the engine is totally tuned down as the car is front wheel drive and they seemingly would have had issues with torque steeer if they had put more power through it.

It belonged to a friend who still owns it, I had a 164 Q4 at the same time and the Alfa was overall a better drive imo, cheaper to buy and own and faster over a long country run too. One thing I will say about the Lancia is that it has hands down the most beautiful leather seats that I've ever sat in this side of a Rolls. Great sound too if the proper after market pipes are put on.

Not sure if that car is overpriced, but its been on sale for a long time, the owner would be better off trying to sell it through a specialist dealer in the UK imo.

Btw the spoiler is retratctable, manually iirc.

the culture of deference · 10-09-2011 11:31am

dingding wrote: »

I don't know how you would change the rear set of spark plugs.

I'd say they are right up against the bulkhead.

Man you have brought back bad memories, I remember working on 131's and other fiats 20 years ago. I reckon when they designed the engine they deliberately found the most awkward position to put it in.

TomMc · 10-09-2011 11:36am

Yes, the spoiler adjusts itself at speed. The car is advertised in September's issue of Classic & Sports Car for GBP9,950 with a GBP250 delivery charge. "Supplied new to billionaire industrialist in Switzerland 1989".

peasant · 10-09-2011 1:56pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2433807

same thing really ...only 12 k cheaper

:D:D

No, seriously ...same floor pan and at "griffin" level the interior wouldn't be that far behind the Lancia. Sure, it's no Ferrari engine ...but send some money to Abbot racing or Hirsch tuning and you'll come away with 280 - 400 bhp (depending on how adventurous you are).

That'll leave your Ferrari powered Lancia miles behind.

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&sugexp=gsis,i18n%3Dtrue&cp=17&gs_id=2&xhr=t&q=saab+9000+griffin&safe=off&rlz=1R2ADFA_enIE342&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1440&bih=699&wrapid=tljp131566258681200&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi

TomMc · 10-09-2011 2:50pm

Look what Walkers have for similar money:eek:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/lancia/trevi/used-lancia-trevi-northallerton-fpa-201136413932308

Saab Ed · 10-09-2011 3:00pm

I just want one of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRTd4Gi_3jI

....or even more fun would be to tell a mechanic that your spoilers not working

Saab Ed · 10-09-2011 3:05pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QH_3ftHmbk

I love the 80s

:D:D

Pdfile · 10-09-2011 3:35pm

i remember seeing maybe 2 of these in my lifetime.

Lovely motors :cool:

pburns · 10-09-2011 4:42pm

It was a looney-tunes idea wasn't it:D? Kinda pointless in a good way.

I don't think anyone buying would be expecting great dynamics - the 16v Turbo one would probably be a nicer car to drive. Serious collectors item though. If it was old enough to qualify for classic tax/insurance would make an interesting choice.

Anan1 · 10-09-2011 5:20pm

pburns wrote: »

It was a looney-tunes idea wasn't it:D? Kinda pointless in a good way.

I don't think anyone buying would be expecting great dynamics - the 16v Turbo one would probably be a nicer car to drive. Serious collectors item though. If it was old enough to qualify for classic tax/insurance would make an interesting choice.

+1. It makes no sense, but on an emotional level it's very hard to walk away from.

Mully_2011 · 10-09-2011 5:53pm

If they went through the hassle of putting a 308 engine in it why didnt they make it rwd aswell? a v8 fwd is well pointless

SouperComputer · 10-09-2011 8:14pm

Mully_2011 wrote: »

If they went through the hassle of putting a 308 engine in it why didnt they make it rwd aswell? a v8 fwd is well pointless

Not sure how much hassle it really was. Its a transverse design, they just moved it from mid to front mounted. Its a pretty small V8 though probably weighs less than some diesel lumps LOL. Its not a very powerful engine, I dont think it being FWD is a major issue. With that little power I dont think RWD would redeem it anyway.
Seems like a really cool car, shame its not a bit quicker. Sounds rather nice though!

How much would a 308 cost? Might as well go the whole way!

Now THIS is a pointless FWD car, 7.5L V8:

Anan1 · 10-09-2011 8:31pm

That'd be cool - if it had brakes.

TomMc · 10-09-2011 8:59pm

A major engine rebuild could cost more than that 8.32 car itself, so it's a case of buying the best or the fun may be shortlived.

pburns · 11-09-2011 12:03am

There's an old motorsport story involving Berger and Alesi commandeering Jean Todt's brand new Thema for a short trip around the Ferrari factory. Berger pulled up the handbrake as a joke and the car flipped onto it's roof. Dunno if it was a 8.32 but it was supposed to be a special order one Todt had spent months waiting for... He was FURIOUS!!!

Solnskaya · 11-09-2011 1:03am

just looks like a pimped Volvo to me, but then again, I'm a philistine.

dgt · 11-09-2011 12:18pm

SouperComputer wrote: »

Now THIS is a pointless FWD car, 7.5L V8:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/35/Oldsmobile_Toronado_0003.jpg

It might look the dogs bolox but this has an 8.2L V8 and.... FWD

SouperComputer · 11-09-2011 4:05pm

ah! Thats the car I was thinking of, the ElDorado. For some reason couldnt find it and came across the Toronado. What a feckin turd LOL.

Anan1 · 11-09-2011 4:49pm

I like the Toronado. I read a UK road test years ago and, brakes aside, they seemed to really like it.

L-M · 11-09-2011 5:11pm

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2262534

If the Lancia is anything like the above you'd be better of to tie your ten grand onto the back of a crow and watch it fly away.

SouperComputer · 11-09-2011 7:44pm

I say **k it, pony up some extra and get this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-E-FERRARI-328-GTS-AIR-CONDITIONING-MINI-DISC-/110634902660?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19c25aa484#ht_1559wt_1139

galwaytt · 11-09-2011 10:00pm

SouperComputer wrote: »

I say **k it, pony up some extra and get this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-E-FERRARI-328-GTS-AIR-CONDITIONING-MINI-DISC-/110634902660?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19c25aa484#ht_1559wt_1139

**** it ? I think not....the Thema is rarer, has 4 seats and is 1/5th the price. And it's not a series of box section pretending it's not a Fiat.

Anan1 · 11-09-2011 10:16pm

A Mondial would be a much closer alternative. I actually have a Mondial vs Thema 8.32 road test lying around somewhere.

Tropheus · 11-09-2011 10:17pm

galwaytt wrote: »

And it's not a series of box section pretending it's not a Fiat.

I think you're being a tad harsh on the 328. A supercar in its day.

Anan1 · 11-09-2011 10:18pm

galwaytt wrote: »

And it's not a series of box section pretending it's not a Fiat.

I hate to have to say it, but the Thema is closely related to the FIAT Croma! +1 on the rest of your post, though.:)

SouperComputer · 12-09-2011 1:42am

galwaytt wrote: »

**** it ? I think not....the Thema is rarer, has 4 seats and is 1/5th the price. And it's not a series of box section pretending it's not a Fiat.

A Trabant probably meets the same criteria as the Lancia LOL. Some things are thankfully rare. This doesn't make them valuable.

Regardless of its underpinnings, the 328 is a much more desirable car to me. Horses for courses as they say. The Lancia is a cool car, the 328 is a lot cooler.

Anan1 · 12-09-2011 10:27am

SouperComputer wrote: »

Regardless of its underpinnings, the 328 is a much more desirable car to me. Horses for courses as they say. The Lancia is a cool car, the 328 is a lot cooler.

Oh I don't know about that. The 328 might be a better car, but for me the Thema will always be cooler.

lomb · 12-09-2011 1:00pm

I think the Thema was a rebadged Peug 405

Anan1 · 12-09-2011 1:18pm

lomb wrote: »

I think the Thema was a rebadged Peug 405

It wasn't - from memory, it was a Type 4 car, along with the FIAT Croma, the Alfa 164, and the SAAB 9000.

mike65 · 12-09-2011 1:36pm

How could anyone think the Thema was a Peugeot? As said above it was a Type 4, of which the Alfa 164 2.0 TS was the one to get (Pininfarina design) then the Saab 2.3 ltp, then the Lancia 16v and finally the FIAT (any spec!) if you were really poor/short sighted.

the culture of deference · 12-09-2011 1:46pm

Saab Ed wrote: »

I just want one of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRTd4Gi_3jI

....or even more fun would be to tell a mechanic that your spoilers not working

That spoiler is class, but remembering off the top of my head that fiats - lancias had the WORST electrics, and the WORST rust issues of any car i have ever owned.

I have had a lancia beta (wings held by duct tape, 2 wheels fell off), 124, 125, polski, 127, 131, 132, strada, and ritmo, 128, tipo, uno x2 (45, 55) +turbo.

Victor Meldrew · 12-09-2011 1:57pm

I see he's only displaying a month's worth of repair invoices...

lomb · 12-09-2011 1:57pm

mike65 wrote: »

How could anyone think the Thema was a Peugeot? As said above it was a Type 4, of which the Alfa 164 2.0 TS was the one to get (Pininfarina design) then the Saab 2.3 ltp, then the Lancia 16v and finally the FIAT (any spec!) if you were really poor/short sighted.

I thought the 405 was related to the 164. Anyway a quick google reveals they looked similar and were designed by Pininfarina but that was it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peugeot_405

Mr Benevolent · 12-09-2011 1:58pm

the culture of deference wrote: »

That spoiler is class, but remembering off the top of my head that fiats - lancias had the WORST electrics, and the WORST rust issues of any car i have ever owned.

I have had a lancia beta (wings held by duct tape, 2 wheels fell off), 124, 125, polski, 127, 131, 132, strada, and ritmo, 128, tipo, uno x2 (45, 55) +turbo.

You need an Octavia

the culture of deference · 12-09-2011 8:46pm

Confab wrote: »

You need an Octavia

Thay could not be worse than the 1980's fiats or lancias:eek:

Saab Ed · 12-09-2011 9:57pm

the culture of deference wrote: »

I have had a lancia beta (wings held by duct tape, 2 wheels fell off), 124, 125, polski, 127, 131, 132, strada, and ritmo, 128, tipo, uno x2 (45, 55) +turbo.

1989 LANCIA THEMA FERRARI 8.32 for sale on donedeal

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