This Lancia Thema Barn Find Needs To Be Saved Immediately!

There are two types of people in this world: those who think this Lancia Thema is worth saving right-this-second and those who are wrong.

There aren’t many Lancias on the road any more. Despite the racing pedigree and gorgeous looks, they’re probably best known for mechanical problems and chronic rust issues. And that’s why this Lancia Thema needs to be saved immediately.

Wash off the dust and the grime and you’ll find an Italian sports saloon that kicks out a healthy 165bhp from a 2.0 litre turbo (check out the cool-as grille badge), with a respectable 0-60 time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. But unlike many other Lancias of the period, it’s not just an engine surrounded by rusty bits.

According to the seller it’s in remarkably good condition with no rust or rot. And, despite a reputation for unreliability, this car starts and drives far better than its long hibernation might suggest.

The brakes need looking at - they’ve stuck together slightly in the 10 or 12 years it’s been stationary - and the cam belt needs changing, but all the electrics seem to work, and there aren’t any problems mentioned for the engine and gearbox. Seems too good to be true, if we’re honest.

The interior also looks to be in good shape, and once it’s been cared for and given a proper clean, it’ll say 1980s better than trying to solve a Rubik’s cube while bouncing on a space hopper.

It’s even got heated seats and a sunroof. It’s apparently had one owner for the last 17 years, has a claimed 117,000 miles on it, and comes with an asking price of £3,500.

Would you be tempted to save it?