Lancia back to the USA? L. Ciferri's commentary...

[Philip]

LUCA CIFERRI

Lancia may return to US after 30 year gap
Three-decade hiatus could allow brand to come back with untarnished reputation

Luca Ciferri
Automotive News Europe
February 2, 2009

COMMENTARY

The Fiat and Chrysler product and marketing teams have a lot to discuss. Close to the top of the agenda in their deliberations is the issue of which badge would best fit the new range of Fiat-based mini, small and lower medium cars that Chrysler could begin selling in North America from 2011.

One possibility worth consideration could be the reintroduction of the Lancia brand that withdrew from the United States 30 years ago. Its last car, the Beta Montecarlo/Scorpion, sold less than 2,000 units in that market.

Many Scorpions still survive today, owned by proud collectors. Most of them are not the same people who originally bought a great Pininfarina design that was let down by poor build-quality, modest performance and insufficient braking capabilities.

To most of today’s generation of car buyers in America, Lancia would be perceived as a completely new brand, just like the youth-oriented Scion brand launched successfully there by Toyota.

The difference is that Lancia offers 103 years of heritage and a history that Scion does not have.

Italian flair

Lancia could also add some Italian flair to Chrysler-built small cars, which will not only face competition from US versions of the Fords and Opel/Vauxhalls we know here in Europe, but also from stylish minicars including the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris, which already have won over a considerable chunk of US buyers.

Last but not least, if some -- or all -- of these Chrysler-built small cars were to go to Latin America, their distinctive Lancia-specific front and rear end styling would offer a further advantage.

These North American-built Lancias would clearly differentiate themselves from sibling Fiat models which are already manufactured in Brazil and Argentina. This would, in essence, allow Fiat-Chrysler to introduce a new line of cars to Latin America at no additional cost.

[gamma a.i.]

OK as long as there is a Fulvia Coupe

[Philip]

you echo every Lancia fan's desire and wish...

[gamma a.i.]

against all odds that it could never take place, it is actually true;) ... B) after 25 to 31 years absence (depending on year of manufacture), a large # of lucky Lancisti, will participate in an "Event to be Remembered", so that their lovely GT Lancia can return to sweet home Torino.
It has been estimated that "many thousands wished to attend" this Mega Meeting, but that # will actually be a bit lower, since only Gammisti will be allowed to participate. & there are not a lot of Gamma left for Gammisti to drive to Torino ! ::o Many a Coupe & Berlina have bought the Rust-Devil

The Piloto will drive south, north, east & west to arrive. On the same days, all headed to the same destination. All of these Gamma will be heading home ! Isn't that sweet !!

The "many who wish to attend, but can not" can not because this event is restricted to Gammas.
Sorry Cara Lancisti (non Gamma Lancisit) but the parking lot is only "so big" & we don't want to jam the Autostrada for hundreds of km. So, please stay home.

It is estimated that 100 "hard-core Gammisti" will actually make it. Some however, will travel in Teams, so less than 50 Gamma will fill the parking lot.. Children in School, Jobs & several intensive Gamma restoration projects will preclude a # of Gammisti from taking "the long-way home". Unfortunately !! However, a # of owners will still attend, as co-drivers in other Gamma, so no one will be forgotten !

A Gamma Coupe in Japan, a coupe in Lithuania; several Gamma Coupe in Australia & RSA will stay where they currently are.

The greatest large Lancia model ever built, at least 50 years ahead of its time, will return to Torino, for the 30+ Year Anniversary and Mega Gamma International Meeting.

Entrants as far away as the UK, Rostock. Torino (home boy's), Sicily & Norway will gather at the Pininfarina Museo to enjoy a relaxed 3 hour, multi-course lunch, while swapping tall-tales & strange-stories (do not forget, we are Gammisti:)) with special-guests Aldo Brovarone, Designer of the Gamma Coupe (built at Pininfarina) & Leonardo Fioravanti, Designer of the Gamma Berlina (built at Lancia).

What Tales will They Tell ???

The Mega Gamma Meeting is planned for 3 days; from 23 to 26 Apr 09 and is jam-packed with action & "events within the event". The planning-committee has been at work for well over 1 yr organizing a "once in a life-time event". They promised that the 09 Meeting will outclass & outshine the 24+ year event of 01, also held in Torino. Hang Gliding ? Free Climbing ? Who knows ??

The event starts quite a bit earlier for those traveling from locations as far as 2000km away.

I have heard that there "-SUPER-ACTION" in Rally-Style is planned (legally) enroute ? Hmmm....

A follow-up full color action-report will appear in these pages at the end of April 09.

[gamma a.i.]

see www.lanciagammaforum.com for details

[gamma a.i.]

latest news...54 Registered, Lingotto 'drive the track' visit.