Silence is broken, I'm out on the trail, my private quest for the holy Grail....
There is a new engine in town: 2 versions, a 2.5l and 3.0l, turbo optional
A 6 cyl. boxer, min. 220 hp
I'd like to put it in this my updated design of a Gamma Coup. with high spec. parts, a revival of the legend as it's been done with the new Lancia Lancetti (why is it not called Fulvia??) coming up in 2005.Wheelbase thought a fraction longer than the original with some novel ideas in accessories, a few details I miss in my own car.
Imagine a Gamma with todays standards in technology and build quality, lighter materials, low fuel consumption and top speed, no windnoise, to match the likes of a Mercedes C Class. There is still room for something really spectacular in the upper mid range, I think it should be a revised and new Gamma with the exact same drive and aesthetic qualities, which was never given proper merit as being the pinnacle of Lancia cars produced, mainly because of a frail engine which completely disappointed far to many. The Thesis is not the answer and I'm just dreaming, but hey, it's just entertainment.. Would make a great reality though..
Up next is a 3D illustration and then claymodel. Wish me luck..
Any feedback welcome
Viva la Gamma, I salute all fellowdrivers
Visit: www.skjott.com/gamma.html
and www.skjott.com/3000.html
I welcome your feedback on this
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Paul de Raymond Leclercq
Re: I welcome your feedback on this
Wonderful romantic stuff.
Mind you a front-engined flat-six with turbo would be very tricky to engineer.
If I owned a Gamma, I'd be tempted by a Maserati bi-turbo engine, but then I'm rather eccentric...
I have forgotten whether or not the Thesis (which I rather like) shares its floorpan; surely it would be rather a nice basis for an upmarket coupe?
Best of luck
Paul
Mind you a front-engined flat-six with turbo would be very tricky to engineer.
If I owned a Gamma, I'd be tempted by a Maserati bi-turbo engine, but then I'm rather eccentric...
I have forgotten whether or not the Thesis (which I rather like) shares its floorpan; surely it would be rather a nice basis for an upmarket coupe?
Best of luck
Paul
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christian skjott
New Email Post
Thank you, Paul..
Spot on, I'm a romantic, why I'm all Lancia man, the good ol' solid stuff is best and desperately needed as a foundation to reach better results, but seems all forgotten..
I see yer point on the Thesis but I'm just not convinced with it, I liked it at first, but as I rarely see it, in fact never, somethings fishy and apparently not working as I was hoping, getting Lancias properly back on the scene.. and that's very frustrating for a die hard! I have great hopes for the Lacetti though, looks like it would be quite the thing..
I have 2 classic Gamma Coups, one being restored just now, and it's difficult to explain, but it's the whole feel of the car which makes it quite unique and it would be extraodinary to rehash with modern standards and thereby truly exceed peoples wildest expectations in a car..plain subtlety.. Supreme handling, hence safety and enjoyment on all levels.. And bringing it up to date, getting rid of all the little hangups, giving it a reliable engine, soundproofing, panels that fit, no funky details where dirt and stuff can dwell, would make it 'the' car on the market, not farfetched like so many on offer and the shapes are all horrible and not purposeful.. It's quite interesting entertainment, toying with familiar problems and improving on them..
Engine wise I have something specific in mind and it's not a Maserati, though I respect yer opinion, but that's low volume and far too extravagant, would be unecessary and much too costly.. I'd like to emphasize other aspects.. Putting maintenance and reliability first, which is always the main problem with exotica.. and for a while yet we may still enjoy real cars..
Anyway, don't want to miss out on more feedback and therefore posting an alternative email adr. which works, as I didn't receive Paul's on the former.. Thx again Paul
Spot on, I'm a romantic, why I'm all Lancia man, the good ol' solid stuff is best and desperately needed as a foundation to reach better results, but seems all forgotten..
I see yer point on the Thesis but I'm just not convinced with it, I liked it at first, but as I rarely see it, in fact never, somethings fishy and apparently not working as I was hoping, getting Lancias properly back on the scene.. and that's very frustrating for a die hard! I have great hopes for the Lacetti though, looks like it would be quite the thing..
I have 2 classic Gamma Coups, one being restored just now, and it's difficult to explain, but it's the whole feel of the car which makes it quite unique and it would be extraodinary to rehash with modern standards and thereby truly exceed peoples wildest expectations in a car..plain subtlety.. Supreme handling, hence safety and enjoyment on all levels.. And bringing it up to date, getting rid of all the little hangups, giving it a reliable engine, soundproofing, panels that fit, no funky details where dirt and stuff can dwell, would make it 'the' car on the market, not farfetched like so many on offer and the shapes are all horrible and not purposeful.. It's quite interesting entertainment, toying with familiar problems and improving on them..
Engine wise I have something specific in mind and it's not a Maserati, though I respect yer opinion, but that's low volume and far too extravagant, would be unecessary and much too costly.. I'd like to emphasize other aspects.. Putting maintenance and reliability first, which is always the main problem with exotica.. and for a while yet we may still enjoy real cars..
Anyway, don't want to miss out on more feedback and therefore posting an alternative email adr. which works, as I didn't receive Paul's on the former.. Thx again Paul
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Paul de Raymond Leclercq
Re: New Email Post
I am something of a specials enthusiast, and the Maserati engine would be a one-off; I expect that there are plenty about at reasonable prices, although I would not like a garage bill for a rebuild.
It has been my occupation to develop Fulvias on limited resources, and my coupe is a special, the aim being to optimise those aspects of the Fulvia that particularly appeal in terms of perfomance and handling. All the other aspects appeal too though, which is why I also have a very standard berline!
I expect that you feel the same about the Gamma.
P.
It has been my occupation to develop Fulvias on limited resources, and my coupe is a special, the aim being to optimise those aspects of the Fulvia that particularly appeal in terms of perfomance and handling. All the other aspects appeal too though, which is why I also have a very standard berline!
I expect that you feel the same about the Gamma.
P.
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christian skjott
More thoughts
We completely agree here, probably every Lancisti does, perfomance and handling is what it is all about in my book, I judge any car from the Gamma's AND the Fulvia's overall mannerisms, with experience in both, my father has the SIII Safari 1.3, fantastic little car, and this is what I think Lancia is all about and where it differs from other marques, real drivers cars.. The Gamma is really a bigger modern Fulvia in many ways.. Perfectly balanced in all aspects.
Today all cars are full of bizarre gadgets and electrics, which to impress the buyer, later causes weird breakdowns, I can only smirk each time I drive by a brand new car parked at the side of the road, unable to move with confounded owners hanging on a cell phone trying to get help to solve a mystery even a mechanic doesn't understand unless he has a magic computer. He'll charge good money all the same..
If I were to construct a car like my suggestion, it would be an extensive update to lighter and better materials but definetly keep gadgets and electrics to a bare minimum and sorting coachwork issues. But the simple mechanics in a Lancia is still unsurpassed today in my opinion. Big marques today rely on a poorer handling using electronics?? In fact the car industry relys too much on electronics, and with my experience with computers I wouldn' trust one with my life.. But people don't seem to mind.. Worrysome.
Anyway it's really just a hobby, it don't expect to be taken quite seriously, unless of course an interest is shown to pursue such a project which I can't expect. But like for instance the new vw beetle came about, I'm no where near the possibility or even funds to get into this, much as I'd like though, I just had an inspired moment with all the revivals coming up, one in particular which impressed me, is the new Mustang coming out 2005: see here
http://www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehic ... cleTypeID=
in conjunction with this brand new 6 cyl. boxer engine I have been hearing about, all elements combined in my favorit car (& marque) in a modernized guise, the concept is mesmerizing.. Yes, I'm a true romantic..
Since there's just you and me here, how do you like the new Fulvia? Are you planning on getting one?
BR Christian
Today all cars are full of bizarre gadgets and electrics, which to impress the buyer, later causes weird breakdowns, I can only smirk each time I drive by a brand new car parked at the side of the road, unable to move with confounded owners hanging on a cell phone trying to get help to solve a mystery even a mechanic doesn't understand unless he has a magic computer. He'll charge good money all the same..
If I were to construct a car like my suggestion, it would be an extensive update to lighter and better materials but definetly keep gadgets and electrics to a bare minimum and sorting coachwork issues. But the simple mechanics in a Lancia is still unsurpassed today in my opinion. Big marques today rely on a poorer handling using electronics?? In fact the car industry relys too much on electronics, and with my experience with computers I wouldn' trust one with my life.. But people don't seem to mind.. Worrysome.
Anyway it's really just a hobby, it don't expect to be taken quite seriously, unless of course an interest is shown to pursue such a project which I can't expect. But like for instance the new vw beetle came about, I'm no where near the possibility or even funds to get into this, much as I'd like though, I just had an inspired moment with all the revivals coming up, one in particular which impressed me, is the new Mustang coming out 2005: see here
http://www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehic ... cleTypeID=
in conjunction with this brand new 6 cyl. boxer engine I have been hearing about, all elements combined in my favorit car (& marque) in a modernized guise, the concept is mesmerizing.. Yes, I'm a true romantic..
Since there's just you and me here, how do you like the new Fulvia? Are you planning on getting one?
BR Christian
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Randy Adams
Re: More thoughts
Living in the U.S., I have never seen a Gamma coupe. Judging from photos, I think it is the most beautiful volume produced car from the 1970s.
A flat six cylinder seems like a good idea. Two and half liters seems too large for a four cylinder and I suspect that this is one of the features of the original car that hurt it in the marketplace. I'm biased, however. I am addicted to the musical exhaust note of a six cylinder engine. Except for one Beta coupe, I run a bunch of Flaminias and one Maserati Biturbo. I remember reading that Lancia considered installing twin cam heads on the Gamma before discontinuing its production. This would be essential today, with either three or four valves per cylinder. Vented brake discs would also be a good update. I see no need for ABS, which I don't trust at all. A properly engineered braking system does not need electronic assistance.
Christian, I share your smug satisfaction when passing by a disabled modern car, especially a German one. While the modern cars clearly do their job well when everything is working, they seem needlessly complex and seem to have too many systems that can totally shut down the car when a malfunction occurs. Once I discarded the shoddy Marelli electronic distributor in my injected Beta and replaced it with a Bosch unit, that car has displayed admirable reliability. Although they vastly outsold the Beta in the U.S., I do not see any 1981 vintage BMWs on the road now. My Beta still takes me to work every day. I would employ the Flaminias for this purpose too if they had not become so irreplaceable. I enjoy confounding the popular belief here that Italian cars are unreliable and impractical.
There are many pointless features in new cars that do not contribute to their success as cars. My Beta coupe has no place to put a cup of coffee or a cell phone. Instead, you are encouraged to just drive.
A flat six cylinder seems like a good idea. Two and half liters seems too large for a four cylinder and I suspect that this is one of the features of the original car that hurt it in the marketplace. I'm biased, however. I am addicted to the musical exhaust note of a six cylinder engine. Except for one Beta coupe, I run a bunch of Flaminias and one Maserati Biturbo. I remember reading that Lancia considered installing twin cam heads on the Gamma before discontinuing its production. This would be essential today, with either three or four valves per cylinder. Vented brake discs would also be a good update. I see no need for ABS, which I don't trust at all. A properly engineered braking system does not need electronic assistance.
Christian, I share your smug satisfaction when passing by a disabled modern car, especially a German one. While the modern cars clearly do their job well when everything is working, they seem needlessly complex and seem to have too many systems that can totally shut down the car when a malfunction occurs. Once I discarded the shoddy Marelli electronic distributor in my injected Beta and replaced it with a Bosch unit, that car has displayed admirable reliability. Although they vastly outsold the Beta in the U.S., I do not see any 1981 vintage BMWs on the road now. My Beta still takes me to work every day. I would employ the Flaminias for this purpose too if they had not become so irreplaceable. I enjoy confounding the popular belief here that Italian cars are unreliable and impractical.
There are many pointless features in new cars that do not contribute to their success as cars. My Beta coupe has no place to put a cup of coffee or a cell phone. Instead, you are encouraged to just drive.
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Paul de R. Leclercq
Re: More thoughts
I agree: the Gamma Coupe was a fine-looking car - I recall one example that had been lowered and fitted wth handsome 16" wheels. Painted in a metallic charcoal colour it looked magnificent.
Of course the quality, e.g. pressed steel wishbones (at least there were wishbones!) is some way down from the likes of the Flaminia and pre-1970 Flavia and Fulvia models, but sadly that's the way of the world. Nevertheless, the Gamma offered superb handling and this and its punchy engine often provided unwelcome surprises for drivers of "hot hatches".
Regarding the number of cylinders, I agree that six sounds better - flat, vee or in-line. I suspect that there is something about multiples of three - or geometry - that makes this the case. Surely no-one would argue about the sound of a flat or vee twelve (especial if it less than three litres capacity!).
On the other hand Porsche made a good job of a three-litre four - albeit with balancer shafts in the 968.
Perhaps an air-cooled Porsche flat-six is an option for the Gamma? With no waterworks to worry about this would perhaps be a distinct advantage?
Paul
Of course the quality, e.g. pressed steel wishbones (at least there were wishbones!) is some way down from the likes of the Flaminia and pre-1970 Flavia and Fulvia models, but sadly that's the way of the world. Nevertheless, the Gamma offered superb handling and this and its punchy engine often provided unwelcome surprises for drivers of "hot hatches".
Regarding the number of cylinders, I agree that six sounds better - flat, vee or in-line. I suspect that there is something about multiples of three - or geometry - that makes this the case. Surely no-one would argue about the sound of a flat or vee twelve (especial if it less than three litres capacity!).
On the other hand Porsche made a good job of a three-litre four - albeit with balancer shafts in the 968.
Perhaps an air-cooled Porsche flat-six is an option for the Gamma? With no waterworks to worry about this would perhaps be a distinct advantage?
Paul