​Lancia Montecarlo 1978

Most probably the best example left in existence of Lancia’s fabulous Pininfarina built mid-engined sports two-seater rarity.

Completely original and unrestored it is in the most incredible unblemished condition and it has quite clearly been cherished and pampered from new. It has never been subject to any remedial work because it has simply never needed it.

The ultra low mileage is substantiated by an extensive and detailed chronicle of it’s entire life. As you would expect, it an absolute pleasure to drive too.

I have a personal affinity with Lancias Montecarlo and so stumbling across this example left me speechless and resistance was futile! I would not have ever looked out for one, because I would simply have never believed a nice enough example was out there to buy.

I had first seen one of these, Lancia’s most exotic offering, in 1978 and the unique and radical styling took my breath away leaving a big impression. The eye catching and unusual design in conjunction with such a compact stature and relative mechanical simplicity and usability was very appealing.

Later on in my twenties I managed to acquire several and used them as my daily drivers and in 1988 converted one of those into a competitive race car with sponsorship from Fast Car Magazine and Duckhams Oils. It was a successful machine and the build program and race championship itself was featured every month in the magazine so became an important and memorable period of my life. I eventually sold it and moved onto other things but the love for the car never went away so this stunning example was a real thrill when it turned up - in the same colour as the first one I ever saw too!

It is a desirable first series coupe and only 2,080 were ever made (only 28 were made in 1978) with most having disappeared long ago so they are now incredibly rare and, as a result, indisputably highly collectable.

As with all Montecarlos it has the Lancia 2.0 litre twin cam motor with 5 speed gearbox, independent suspension and disc brakes all round and, as such, is an easy and practical car to use and maintain.