Lancia Motor Club

I've had the Professor Peter Moore Dilambda (now owned by his wife Elaine) here for several months readying it for the road.

Well, it's finished and today we road tested it. Phenomenal is all I can say as it has been superbly restored to a very high standard. I loved it and you will too when it appears on club events this year.

Robin.

What a splendid vettura!

Thank you for sharing the photographs.

Cesare

well done getting it running

Magnificent! What is it like to drive?

I keep expecting to see some gents in the background with chalk stripe suits and violin cases.

David

Considering it's been off the road for several years and been the subject of a total rebuild (except the engine) it drove beautifully. Lovely quiet, smooth, powerful engine, excellent gearbox, strong brakes and light, precise steering. No rattles either. Pretty well everything that Modestine is not! :o

The one downside for me is that the driving position is awful. The strut which runs across the back of the front seats badly restricts the seat adjustment and even though I am well under 6ft I'm way too close to the steering wheel and pedals. The clutch is very high and double de-clutching brings my knee almost onto my chest! It would be most uncomfortable on a long journey. Getting in and out of the front seats calls for a fair bit of contortion too. However, masses of room in the back. :D

This is the grandest Lancia I've ever had the privilege to drive and I very much hope that I get to repeat the experience again soon.

Roibin.

First outing for Elaine's Dilambda was the 'RAC Summer Drive In' at their Country Club estate on Epsom Downs Wednesday 25th June.

Spent the previous couple of days readying it and found that it just would not accelerate sufficiently well. Fuel starvation seemed to be the problem and indeed on removing the carburetor found that one of the two inlet tracks in the head was bone dry resulting in only running on 4 cylinders! Striped and cleaned the carb but no improvement so in desperation fitted Modestine's carb and' Hey Presto!' all was well.

Set off with Margaretfor Epsom in some trepidation at 4.30pm in rush hour traffic and very much feeling the responsibility of driving this beautiful fully restored car which did not belong to me. It blotted its copy book just once when it cut out for no apparent reason starting up again soon after and running faultlessly to the destination. One slight worry was that the temperature gauge hovered at the very top of the scale in the heavy traffic but showed no sign of boiling and we suspect that its just reading high.

Caused quite a stir on arrival and was the object of much admiration during the evening. A fitting tribute to Elaine's 'no corners cut' restoration.

Wonderful drive home in the dark on relatively traffic free roads. This truly is going to be a tremendously rewarding car to motor in. I even found the driving position not to be too uncomfortable.

We are hoping to be able to sort the carb out and get the car to the AGM alongside Modestine.

Robin.

Lovely motorcar !

Brilliant!!!   I know how you love a deadline and it seems to have done the trick for you once again.

Good luck with the carb ahead of the AGM.

David

HAMPTON COURT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE
6TH September 2014

This event is now established as one of the world’s premier displays of motor cars and this year over 100 desirable vehicles from across the world were brought together. A truly eclectic and magnificent array. Check it out here http://concoursofelegance.co.uk/

Alongside the main event various clubs were asked to bring along the very best cars from their membership and the RAC asked Elaine Moore to display her Dilambda. Lucky me was asked by her to drive it to the event for her and what a grand day it turned out to be.

We were allotted a prestigious spot in the very centre of the display and a constant stream of visitors stopped by to admire this impressive car. She really did look to the manor (palace?) born.

Lancia in the main event was represented by the Stratos Zero Bertone Concept Car and a works Delta S4, both of which were the source of much admiration. An RAC member's (and I think also LMC member) Auralia B20 was the only other attendee of our marque that I came across.

My favourite of the day was a barn find Fraser Nash which stood in total and dare I say magnificent contrast to the concours cars. Margaret was most taken with it too.

The Dilambda didn’t win the RAC prize that going to an immaculate Ferrari 275GTB but she certainly didn't disgrace herself. Elaine  has produced a comprehensive history of it which  I’ll scan and post.

Highlight for me was once again driving this beautiful car which has so much presence on the road. An absolute delight.

Robin.

Herewith as promised Elaine Moore's history write up for her Dilambda. Most interesting.

Robin.

Great piece of literature, but a few strange words here and there!
Regards, John

Agreed, but what a lovely history, for such a superb car.

Only 3 owners in 85 years, how rare is this today?

I'm only the third owner of my Dilambda too and we've all lived in the same village!

Robin.

I think they're the best photos I've ever seen of the Stratos concept car, especially the rear 3/4 view. Must be quite stunning in the flesh.

It is!

I was lucky enough to get to sit in it at the Centenary Celebrations back in 2006! A little claustrophobic when the windscreen is shut!

Guy

NEC Nov 2014 - Classic Car magazine Feb 2015

Robin

One word..................magnificent!

Am sure you're delighted to see your wonderful Lancia recognised.


P

Took Elaine Moores Dilambda to the RAC 'Summer Drive In' held at their Epsom Country Club on Wednesday last week where it won the Chairman's Choice of the car he would most like to take home with him.

Robin.

The Bentley is comprehensively overshadowed!

Yes, couldn't help thinking that the Bentley was a very odd colour too. I wonder if it's the original?