Lancia Motor Club

Seen on the road in Hackney this afternoon – the first time on the road for almost 40 years. This is the late John Turner’s car being transported away to have the remaining trimming done and finishing off after a long drawn out and painstakingly thorough restoration. One little detail to enjoy underneath is the escapimento – seen here in pristine condition before the engine is run for the first time.

Colin

How does the escapimento work?

There's a flap inside, controlled by a lever on the floor of the car, which allows the exhaust to pass straight out rather than being diverted through the silencer. I sold the thing to John, having found it on eBay. The seller turned out to live a few hundred yards from Bill Stebbins in the USA!
Regards, John

Can Lancia claim it as a first?    They still make similar:

http://www.ospreyexhaustcomponents.co.uk/index.php/valves/exhaust-bypass-valve-vacuum-operated/p_227.html

http://www.driftworks.com/qtp-electronic-exhaust-cutout-bypass-valve-and-y-pipe.html

David

A bit more period:

http://www.ratsport.com/PBSCProduct.asp?ItmID=9611818

Now I know how it works, I remember Demon Tweeks listing similar. One was planned for JLG 65K

If you in the windscreen in the first picture, you can just see a reflection of an Aprilia  :o

OOPS I mean't the ns rear door window ::)

Anorak on - that's an Augusta.

David

Well spotted anyway! Yes, an Augusta that had to be driven out to make way for the Lambda - see photo.

Sébastien has corrected me in the use of the word "escapimento" - it should really be "valvola scappamento"! Sorry about that, but it would still make the same noise.

Colin

I presume that is Christine's Gussie, I am so glad you got those problems sorted for her.

It is good to see that John's long term project is so close to completion and to know that it will soon be finished.

The big question for me is, how did you get the Lambda out, the vertical clearances were so tight?

I hope you will allow us to see the completed article !!

                                                Andy

It just makes me so sad that John is not here to see and enjoy the fruit of his labours.

Robin.

Yes, please tell how you got it out!
I hope it eventually finds a good home, as the work John did on it deserves recognition. I've bought an extra lottery ticket this week!
Regards, John

On the one hand sad John didn't see it all done, on the other hand so lovely that he had a "project in hand" to keep himself amused and challenged and otherwise distracted right to the end. 

When I saw it the "issue of the day" was a change to the sewing machine needle.  We went to a leather merchant where he discussed the different options at some length.  I'd just dropped off an extractor fan and some corrugated metal hose to encourage an engine start.  He'd been turning the engine over with a monster electric motor (from another Lambda owner?) but was at a loss when and how and where to get it started "properly".   That had been the debate the time before - over a convivial pint - and plans hatched for his "test cell".

When I first saw that car I was struck by just how light the doors were.  A really delicate frame and wire bracing.  There was some debate over the glass tint, what it once was, what he'd like, how to achieve that.  Another long ponder prompting further lines of research into modern car tint film and shop windows and stained glass and glass paint.

David

I would have thought the regn. number on the trailer in the second picture would have given the game away - call the professionals!
Here's a photo of it later in the day. Ed.

John’s Weymann should be making its public debut tomorrow at the Phoenix Green Garage to coincide with a Lambda lunch. By then it should be on its correct wheels and tyres, and possibly the engine will have barked into life for the first time after many years and John’s rebuild.

The question was how was it extracted from the back of John’s garage, where it had stood for nearly 40 years, a short flight of steps up from the rest of the garage? The original plan was to chop away the steps and bring in a trailer and run it down a ramp straight onto the trailer. Then, young Nicholas Benwell took charge while the oldies like his father Mike and I fell into line. The idea then was to cut away only a bit of the top step and reduce the height of the car by putting it on to bare wheels – this being needed because it also had to go under a projecting roof. Wooden ramps were constructed to act like rails so as not to damage the rolled rims. Then along came Ed Rudler, who simply said “let’s get on with it” and put his own ramps in place and down it came – with Mike controlling the brakes. It was then towed out of the garage onto the road blinking into the daylight and thence onto the trailer and off.

The photo shows it just starting down the ramp with about 2 cms clearance between the top of the car and the roof.

Phew …..

Colin

wonderful looking device, I suppose it's not road legal ::) but I'd love to hear what "Fay" would sound like with one in operation.
Brian
8227 8)

Well done to everyone involved in extracting the Weymann. I discussed it with John a while back, but we did not finalise anything. I reckon you did it with the absolute minimum of effort and, more importantly, minimum demolition and thus minimum reinstatement works !!

                             Andy

Saw it in the metal today at the Phoenix and what a magnificent machine it is. The attention to detail and the quality of the workmanship is truly amazing, a wonderful testament to a wonderful man. Fitted Margaret like a glove! ;)

A few poor quality photos, hopefully someone will post some better ones.

So, anyone looking for a Dilambda! But don't tell Modestine! :o

Robin.

I agree – the Weymann did look lovely, but it was a pity the rain came and it had to go back inside. Nick Benwell must have worked hard to put it on its proper wheels and tyres, and fit the wings (still in primer), headlamps, freshly plated nickel catches and other fitments – all to make it look just wonderful!

The photo shows a certain Dilambda owner looking on and thinking hard, with Nick standing alongside.

Colin

Oops of to Specsavers it is then ::)

It's wonderful to see it in the light of day - and a car with a huge presence. I hope we can look forward to seeing it completed before too long - a very stylish car to attend Lancia events!