Alfa 155, Tipo, Tempra, Dedra

BrianD3 wrote: »

I see someone in the forum has spotted a 1993 Lancia Dedra and posted a pic. Made me think about the cars and their Fiat group cousins. There are very few left on the road, howmanyleft has the following for the UK (plenty more SORN of coruse)

Alfa 155 - 78
Lancia Dedra - 6
Fiat Tipo (1988-1996) - 63
Fiat Tempra - 26

Anyone own one, are they appearing at classic car shows? Are there big problems getting parts? Major rust issues?

Of the above cars, the 155 seems the one that would be the most desirable to an enthusiast by a big margin. I think they look great in "wide body" form in red with black wheels. BTCC win in 1994, also participated in 1995. The Gardai had 155s as unmarked cars circa 1997. I remember having a fetish for 155s around that time, friends thought I was nuts as they were regarded by many as being as ugly as sin.

Always loved the155's, brother had one back in the day. For all its flaws it always seemed to stir my emotions more than the 156.

My old Tipo, a great car!









I bought it from the original owner in 2015 with about 40k on the clock. Sold it about year later with 55 on the clock I think.

It was a surprisingly sprightly little car. Loved it, wish I still had it.

My Dad had a Tempra back in the day. After a slew of Fords in the intervening time, he still harks back to the old Tempra.

I had a Stilo myself a long time ago, a really good-looking 3-door. Loved that car! The 5-door version was butt ugly in comparison. Not too many Stilos knocking around these days, either.

The new Bravo that replaced it was equally hideous and the new Tipo is just dowdy.

Whilst we're on the topic of ol Fiats, there was a house in the D12 area years ago with two 131s in the driveway.

And... on a drive down to Sligo about five years ago a car came our way and from afar I could tell that I knew its shape. I had sat in one in the Finglas Motors showroom many years ago as a very small boy (along with the red Ritmo 105 TC). It got closer, and yes, the wedge shape was unmistakable... an X1/9!

You live on a beautiful street, Duke, by the way.

The 6 speed gearbox was such a novelty on the Stilo at the time too.

In between the Bravo/Brava were very popular, European COTY and seemed reasonably solid little Escort class cars.

The Stilo launch felt like the time it started to go wrong for FIAT. Meant to compete with the Golf and Focus but seemed to be miles off the pace at launch.

That's not a very cheery article

My Uncle is still rocking his Alpha, he sold a Lancia Delta to change to the Alpha

boombang wrote: »

Very interesting article. Shame that so many interesting cars are such black holes.

A car simply has to do the numbers or else its a complete flop.
It’s the reason why so many cars share platforms now to make development costs viable.
The ironically named Stilo was just a dreadful exercise, hard to believe the normally so design, fashion and business savvy Italians could come up with such garbage. I was still in school at the time but I loved cars and knew at the time it would struggle. It was like no one in Italy or fiat had heard of the Austin allegro. Christ the 5 door even looked a bit like it with that fat, ugly gormless stance

Just noticed this thread. It reminds me I almost forgot, but have a good set of rear lights cluster for a 1993 Tempra if any one is interested.
Free to fellow classic enthusiast.
I'm based in the midlands.
I'll put a picture or 2 up later.
John.

An ex boss of mine in the early 90's had a black Dedra 2.0 HF Integrale - He had an Orion before that which was a dog of a thing so he really upped his game with the Lancia

It was a bit like a minature Renault 21 - As I recall it was a fast article with loads of lovely little details around the interior and exterior.

Too fast as he had an argument with the scenery one dark wet night :eek:

They were rare at the time here and even in the UK. No wonder there are only a handful left.