1983 Lancia Beta Volumex

This utterly outstanding and unrestored Beta VX Coupé features the Roots-derived ‘Volumex’ supercharger. 

We believe it is one of only 1,261 (or 1,272, depending on which source you consult) produced with this 135bhp power unit, which churned out an impressive 152ft/lb of torque at a lowly 3,000 revs. 

The vendor sourced and bought this remarkable ‘Azzurro Metallizzato’ car from its previous owner in Italy in 2019. 

That owner was an engineer and his was just the second name in the car’s log book. 

He had owned the vehicle for several years and was, by any measure, almost obsessively fastidious in his commitment to keeping the car, warm, dry, unrestored and as pristine as humanly possible.

The vendor is a serious collector of automotive exotica and has a particular penchant for Italian thoroughbreds. 

His interest in the Lancia Beta VX as a model was piqued after reading legendary Italian engine whisperer Guy Croft’s book, in which the car featured in the author’s top 10 all-time greats.

The car’s odometer reads 46,067 kms (28,500 miles), which is as fabulously genuine as everything else about this time-warp vehicle.

This is a seriously handsome car and it presents exceptionally well from every angle. 

The bodywork is very straight and true, and there are no dimples, dinks or dents of any note anywhere that we can see. 

The car was fully Waxoyl injected and protected in 2014 (and there’s CD showing images of the process captured on a bore-hole camera).

The shut-lines and panel gaps are crisp and consistent, and the doors close with a degree of weight and precision that feels more typically Teutonic than Italian.

The ‘Azzurro Metallizzato’ finish looks wonderful and its generally fine condition is far more a reflection of the car’s low mileage than its age. 

The Cromodora alloy wheels are beyond reproach and the matching Hankook tyres look to have plenty of life left in them.

We spotted a few swirly scratches on the bonnet and 3 or 4 more significant ones on both front wings near the side indicator lenses.

There are some scratches on the nearside door and the rear wing on the same side.

The glass is good everywhere, save for a tiny spot of delamination on the windscreen, and all other lights, lenses, badging and external fixtures and fittings look good, too.

Some of the black paint has rubbed away from the rear screen surround and there’s a thin line of surface rust visible in a seam at the rear of the stone chip protector strip on the nearside sill.

The rubber boot lid spoiler has faded to grey a little over the years.

Basically, it’s all good, original and authentic. 

There’s even an Italian parking permit (the sort where you turn a dial to indicate the intended length of your stay) affixed to the windscreen.

Ah…la dolce vita.

The interior, you won’t be remotely surprised to discover, is every bit as impressive as its exterior counterpart and is in pretty much time warp condition wherever you look.

The ‘chequered flag’ fabric upholstery and trim is untroubled by time or wear.

The seats, front and back, are in excellent condition and are as comfortable as they functional and supportive. 

A little bit of the plastic seat back shroud at the outer shoulder of the driver’s seat has broken away.

The door cards are fine, as is the grey fabric headlining with its decidedly cute matching sun visors.

The black carpets and blue ß-themed mats are following the same script in terms of condition, quality and preservation.

The dashboard, steering wheel, gear lever and other controls look factory fresh and virtually as good as new.

As far as we’re aware, all buttons, switches, dials and knobs do what they’re supposed to do.

The boot, which contains a spare wheel and the full, original toolkit, is as exemplary as the rest of it.

The engine bay as a whole is spectacularly clean, shiny, dry and tidy. 

It would win plaudits on a food hygiene scale, never mind a mechanic’s report, and everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The belts were changed around 3 years ago and the car features all new fuel lines. 

The 36 DCNF carburettor was ultra-sonically cleaned recently and an internal inspection of the Volumex unit revealed flawless vanes spinning freely.

All of which may well be contributing to impressively low emissions readings for a car of this age.

It has a new silencer of the original type fitted, plus a factory offside mirror with a factory quarter light.

The previous owner rebuilt the master brake cylinder and fitted new seals. 

Underneath the car you’ll find absolutely nothing to make you tut or raise an eyebrow.

It’s all solid, sound and secure, as far as we can tell.

It has its original Italian registration documents, a Lancia Storiche Heritage Certificate of Origin, and an MoT certificate that’s valid until 18.8.25. 

All ‘Revisione’ (Italian MoT) since the car’s purchase are documented and it has the original Carta di Circulazione.

It comes with its original handbooks and manuals, but you may need to brush-up your Italian to get the most out of them.

Last but by no means least, it is accompanied by its very own feature article in the October 2023 issue of Auto Italia magazine. 

They described it as being in ‘exceptional condition’. 

And so they should.

It is.

Needless to say, JWR 661Y is today very well-known to Lancia and other Italian marque afficionados.

This car has retained its originality, condition and quality to such a breath-taking extent is little short of miraculous.

We think you’ll grow old waiting for a better one to come along.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £20,000 - £25,000. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.