in Honor of Gamma

[gamma a.i.]

I didn't write this Article...but I did edit it .. a bit.

The Gamma mentioned herein will be 1 of many Gam in Spa at Spaitailia (see lanciagammaforum.com for details & link); so herein I honor this (now) Prime-Cut RHD S2 Gam, which I know quite well, for planning to attend; I will be there too - in a LHD Prime-Gamma S1.


Article
In late 08, Auto Italia UK ran an Article comparing Gam Coupe to Fiat 130 Coupe; written by Gam Driver - Martin Buckley - who couldn't attend the photo-shoot with cars-owners - he asked us2 to write an account of ownership. I did ! Recently, I re-came across this account. I thought that you, if you didn't read the Article (shame on you!!) might be interested in being bored with my account of what was at the time (3 years ago) 12 years of Gamma ownership......

I've liked Gam Cpe for as long as I can remember or since I became aware of their existence. What attracted me was gorgeous shape; even after I found out about problems I still wanted 1. I remember walking around Syon Park Italia Car day in 89 - tempted by a lovely red Cpe; at that time the idea of owning more than 1 car was foreign to me so I walked away, but kept looking over my shoulder & searching for my chequebook. I finally bought a Gam in Apr 96 as 40th birthday present to myself! That's why my Gam is my "mid-life crisis car"!

My everyday car was a Maser 2Turbo, bought in 90. As mileage was increasing rapidly, I decided to buy an "everyday-car". Gam is probably 1 of last-cars most folk would consider as daily-transport, but I wanted 1 !
I'm always up for a challenge. More I learned about problems associated with Gam more I wanted 1 !
+ I couldn't drive an Escort or similar mundane car. Gam bought was worst that I had seen excluding 1 non-runner ! I would never have imagined a brown car ("Bruno Mogano" or "Mahogany Brown" or to be precise "Tawny Mahogany”) but there was something about it that said "buy me" so I did.

It sort of broke down on the day I picked it up!
It wasn't a major breakdown; it was due to bad maintenance. 1 rear brake calliper hose was fitted without a sealing washer so when I applied full brakes to avoid running into the white BMW that pulled in front of me, the brake hose connection started leaking brake fluid. That was a simple fix; for a few months I enjoyed driving while gradually putting right all wrongs that were created or left on the car by previous owners. Then 1 morning I started the car and had zero oil pressure! The engine would build up oil pressure and maintain it above about 1700 RPM but nothing below that point. 1700 RPM is a bit too fast for idling! All the experts told me I needed a new engine and I was quoted stratospheric prices for an engine rebuild. That's when I found out that my car, even though a S2 with fuel injection, it had an engine made up of a very early S1 bottom-end with S2 heads; done by Frasers of Bristol in the last of 3 previous engine rebuilds - all due to cambelt failure. At least the PS drive was modified at last rebuild so cambelt failure should not happen to me.

Having given up with loss of oil pressure I parked Gam in garage & drove a Fiat 131 Sport.

In garage Gam remained for over a year until I learned that in 98 Ital & Germ Gammisti were visiting UK.
I thought if they can drive all that way I should be able to drive north to Smithy Pond in Derbyshire. I got Gam out of garage, replaced 2 head gaskets & S1 oil pump for an S2 type - which everyone told me would not fit an S1 engine. But it does - with use of hacksaw, ingenuity & dexterity. So Gam had oil pressure at idling & made it to Smithy Pond & back without problems other than a rather large embarrassing oil leak that everyone commented on !
Following my successful repair & attendance I liked Gam more & more; I spent more money, more time, summer & winter - keeping it going. Shortly after that Meet, I had Gam painted; at next Consortium Meeting it not only was running well but looked new !
My "everyday disposable car" to save mileage on Maser is still going strong 12 yrs / lots of money later; while Maser rusted & died in peace. I'm sure you know how lovely / enjoyable a Gam is to drive - with sublimely-comfortable long-distance cruising-ability & outstanding-handling unmatched by any car of similar size or any size really, so I'm not going to describe that to you, ha ha ! My "highlight" of ownership (or I should say "1 of many highlights") was driving to Turin & back in 06 to the Lancia Celebrations. Gam behaved admirably; We enjoyed drive immensely (http://www.gammaconsortium.com/LTIM ).

Gam ownership today is not as difficult as you might imagine. Even though there are few Gam left ; hence parts can be hard to find, the Consortium is such a helpful friendly organisation that makes ownership of these exclusive exotic cars quite easy. In 06 the Consortium reinvented itself with adoption of constitution + appointment of Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Press Officer. The Consortium is looking to further safeguard future of Gam. In particular, this will means ensuring supply of now rare parts - including possible re-manufacture of parts no longer available - as well as developing closer links with other Gam clubs to share knowledge & resources. Parts like water pumps are remanufactured refurbishing old but still serviceable units. Tornado mirror backs were remanufactured in fibreglass by Consortium: are fitted to my car). Wheel bearings & brake discs which were unavailable for yrs are now available & quite reasonably priced. As part of relaunch process Consortium also relaunched its Internet presence with website www.gammaconsortium.com & a busy international forum at www.lanciagammaforum.com .

My Gamma has had a fair # of problems in 12 yrs - several head gasket failures & a myriad of other problems- none of which have diluted appreciation & admiration of the truly great Last Real Lancia that the Gamma really is!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I recently did a complete Resto .... but that is a whole other chapter (s!)

Written by T