T Break thread 2023

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by midgetman

Doubtful given the information the inside of the eye can give on your general health.

+ 1.

[Cliff Ryan]

Paul, I think I'm the same age as you, having just had a significant birthday, which meant that I need a medical to renew my licence.

I renewed my licence for this year in November, when the application packs were sent out and didn't need a medical or an eye test, as my last one was still valid - i think you've missed out by waiting to renew?

[Peter Mallett]

Happy birthday Delta.

[gary396]

Just collected my Fiat Panda ‘runaround’ from the local independent Fiat / Lancia specialist and they had 7 Intergrales in - a couple for sale, the rest being worked upon for service etc. Also a lovely little Fulvia HF in the showroom.

It looks like a ‘nothing’ little garage in a sleepy village but always some fine looking Integrales in there.

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by Cliff Ryan

Paul, I think I'm the same age as you, having just had a significant birthday, which meant that I need a medical to renew my licence.

I renewed my licence for this year in November, when the application packs were sent out and didn't need a medical or an eye test, as my last one was still valid - i think you've missed out by waiting to renew?

Cliff - I haven't reached the 'milestone' yet, still a couple of months to go. So as long as I send my application soon, I won't need a medical. However, it seems the eye test is a separate issue, and seemingly because my last one (when it was combined with the medical) was back in 2019, apparently I have to have one?

[Paul D]

Originally Posted by gary396

Just collected my Fiat Panda ‘runaround’ from the local independent Fiat / Lancia specialist and they had 7 Intergrales in - a couple for sale, the rest being worked upon for service etc. Also a lovely little Fulvia HF in the showroom.

It looks like a ‘nothing’ little garage in a sleepy village but always some fine looking Integrales in there.

Ahhh, yes - the Integrale! I was lucky enough to own an early 8-valve before values went ballistic. LHD of course.

Great car - loved it. Not outstandingly fast in a straight line, but the handling was very impressive and it could get round corners better than most road cars I've driven, and I've driven a few.

We went spectating on the RAC Rally in it one time, and when we discovered the stage we'd chosen to spectate on had been cancelled, it was a mad rush on Cumbrian back roads to get to another stage in time to see the cars. It should have been about a half hour drive but was covered in about twenty minutes. The journey left an indelible impression on SWMBO, who still describes it as the scariest twenty minutes of her life!

Sadly, though, as much as I loved the Lancia, it was, unfortunately, afflicted with the same problem that many Italian cars of that period had: on a quiet winter night, you could sit and listen to it rusting!

That said, with values as they are now, I wish I still had it...

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Paul D

Sadly, though, as much as I loved the Lancia, it was, unfortunately, afflicted with the same problem that many Italian cars of that period had: on a quiet winter night, you could sit and listen to it rusting!

.

There was a Fiat/Lancia main agent near me that had to fit new panels like door sills under warranty on several of the Lancia models back in the day.

[Lancsbreaker]

I went on a car-buying trip to assist a friend back in the day when exchange rates meant you could buy abroad and sell in UK at a significant profit, and after the pound/$ rate dropped a bit, his attention turned to Europe. He purchased two cars in Southern Germany - and asked me to drive the 8v Integrale back, whilst he used the Maserati Bi-turbo.


In the cours eof the journey it bacame apparent that it was effectively a "no-turbo", as on any steep hill I almost had to push him up....


It still remained a great drive back, for me at least, and the Integrale pretty well saved my life on one occasion when as I was overtaking a truck on a long dual carriageway curve, the driver abruptly pulled out to overtake another truck, forcing me to take to the grass - which the Integrale handled with aplomb, letting me pass at unabated speed.....


Great car.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by Paul D

Sadly, though, as much as I loved the Lancia, it was, unfortunately, afflicted with the same problem that many Italian cars of that period had: on a quiet winter night, you could sit and listen to it rusting!

This problem was solved by the previous Alfa importer, SOFAR, because the new cars sent by the Italians was already rusted. The train was supposed to be direct from Milano to Parigi but they arranged a stop at Pont d'Ain to respray the new cars, mainly Alfettas and Suds.
As to the 16V Integrale I've always been impressed by the engine. But on any track it was outdated by the Escort Cosworth. What an era!

[HRSTR5]

Originally Posted by gary396

Just collected my Fiat Panda ‘runaround’ from the local independent Fiat / Lancia specialist and they had 7 Intergrales in - a couple for sale, the rest being worked upon for service etc. Also a lovely little Fulvia HF in the showroom.

It looks like a ‘nothing’ little garage in a sleepy village but always some fine looking Integrales in there.

Walkers, presumably…?

Had my Evo 2 Integrale 23 years now … love it .. cherish it. Been reliable, it’s little bit of rust has been properly dealt with. With values going mental, I finally plucked up the budget for a serious tidy-up last year, suspension off, powder-coated, rebushed, underside tidied up and under sealed, new original (not lowered) springs, brake pipes, hoses, the whole McCoy … looks fab, but now I don’t want to drive it! Always gets attention whenever it does go out.

[zefarelly]

A mate sent me this and asked me if I knew whats going on with this weeks Cortinas.

I'm awaiting confirmation it has a chromed Jag IRS rear end and buttoned velvet interior.

[Peter Mallett]

Yes a bit odd isn't it?

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Yes a bit odd isn't it?

Hot rod! Lol..

[zefarelly]

I can only guess its a super soft wet set up for traction, maybe A frame and changed the coilivers?

Or maybe a data log driven and simulation based set up like Jim Clark used.

[Peter Mallett]

Well it could be the weight of the 5.7l V8 under the bonnet.