5k: Alfa 3.0 V6 Powered: 1976 Lancia Scorpion Spider
The Beta Montecarlo was initially conceived as a Pininfarina styled V6 powered sports coupe for Fiat’s product lineup, but the Bertone designed X1/9 got the gig instead, and the Montecarlo was handed to Lancia, but with a 4-cylinder engine. In the USA, it was badged as the Scorpion because GM had the rights to use the Monte Carlo name, and today’s example has quite a large stinger in its tail. Find this 1976 Lancia Scorpion Spider with Alfa 3.0 V6 power here on eBay
currently bidding for $7,000 with 2 days to go, located in Castaic, CA.
This isn’t just an engine swap, the car as been given a considerable makeover, including a crazy swallow-tail rear wing setup that will make Carrera RS owners jealous. It is also gleefully free of US spec cow catcher bumpers, but has some funky wheels that need to go.
Pop the hood and you’ll find the original anemic 4-banger long gone, in its place is a 3.0 liter Alfa Romeo V6 from a 1991 Alfa 164. The V6 is good for 184 horsepower and 192 ft-lbs of torque in US 12-valve catalyst equipped spec, but it makes nice noises and its all-alloy construction shouldn’t add too much mass.
The biggest positive surprise of this build is the addition of a CA BAR (Bureau of Automobile Repair) sticker that means it is in legit for emissions and smog inspection purposes. As a Cali captive resident, I can forgive the overspray and strange interior material choices because it is actually legal to drive on the road.
See a BAR stickered 70s classic for cheap? tips@dailyturismo.com
If you are going to do this, might as well go all the way and stuff your Alfa v-6 in a Hawk Stratos replica
Do you know if they ever sold any of these? The copyright on the site is 2007 and the kit price is £tbc…?
Yes, I've been to classic car shows in the UK and seen dozens of the things. All the ones I saw looked pretty nicely built, though some detailing was better than others.
AW, do you know if those kits were by the company G linked to and if so, how much the kits were going for? I've seen a couple of different Stratos kits over the years but none from that company.
Bloody gorgeous Lancia Scorpion, this.
I am pretty certain that I saw some Hawk Stratos replicas. I think that there are two UK manufacturers with a good reputation.
[Googles furiously]
And they are Hawk Stratos and ListerBell Stratos. I don't know the prices, but this thread indicates prices in 2011 looked something like:
– price of the basic Hawk kit (inc. VAT) is now £13,899.60
– but you don't get the rear spoiler, roof wing, fuel tanks, door window slider kit, headlamp raising mechanisms, so with that lot included it's £16,738.80
– replica Stradale seats £1,338.00
– Campagnolo Hawk coffin spoke wheels at £1,897.20
– total for that lot is £19,974.00
Then you need the engine and box, suspension, electrics, paint job, hours to build etc.
Thanks AW! That's veeeery interesting. What an awesome kit and I'd love to have one. £20K is what, around $31K US? So, what do we think a total cost on one could be; around $50K US, not including labor costs? If one had a burning desire and money to do so, it seems like a pretty good deal considering what a good used real one goes for.
I'm pretty sure what I've seen are Lister Bell kits.
We saw one in the parking lot at Concours Italiano a few years back. There also is a blog out there on the interwebs of a guy in the US building one.
Here's a bit that Top Gear did on the Hawk a few years ago:
TG Hawk test
Pretty sure it was staged for entertainment value.
Man, that thing is really cool. It all looks done right, esp. with the BAR sticker. That's my favourite engine to drive (not to work on, but I've worked on plenty worse). It even looks like the 12 valve, which I like the torque-i-ness and responsiveness of (where the 24 valve is more powerful but peakier). And in such a light and manual car, must feel super quick.
The seller seems great. And the photographs of spare parts look familiar and indicate a like mind.
What would be really cool is to put it on some Stratos wheels from the Hawk Stratos site above.
This one ticks all the right blocks:
1) Iconic Italian body
2) Mid engine
3) Upholstered in human skin
4) Manual transmission
5) Alfa V6
What's not to like?
The seller's reputation.
I can only imagine how amazing this car would be. What a clever build. I can just about justify the divorce…….
Nice looking car but the dash material and shape made me think of those attack dog training suits with the big padded arms (tactical bite suits)