Series Three Berlina returned to the road

[GerardJPC]

Ludicrous levels of excitement caused by repaired numberplate light.

[DavidLaver]

Sometimes its the little things.  Looks gorgeous.  Did you put a chair in the right spot to appreciate it for a good long time as well?

[GerardJPC]

Not quite, but I do confess that with all old cars I like walking around them outdoors at night when they have their lights on, and also enjoy just sitting in them at night, lights on or off.   A classic car can be a time travel device at any time, but at night all the more so.   There are quiet roads near my place that have few or no road markings or modern road furniture, and you can easily take a drive in the 60s or 70s if you like, especially after dark.   I don't smoke, but very occasionally think that I ought to, to perfect the period experience (remembering however the US reviewer of the Appia who described its ashtrays as the sort of ashtrays that would make you give up smoking).  As for seatbelts when time-travelling, the Appia poses no dilemma in that regard.

[Dikappa]

My 3rd series made me happy every time I drove it.  It just made all the haste and stress go away instantly.  I should never have sold it....

[GerardJPC]

I've had much more glammo classic cars and ones that go faster and so on, but the Appia is just such fun, and it possesses rarity, Italianate style, and superior engineering, to set it apart from cars of similar age and charm such as Morris Minors.  

[Charles]

It is my favourite as well.  I remember a few years back when Martin Buckley did his annual summary of the cars that he had driven the previous year for Classic and Sportscar magazine, his "standout" car was an easy choice - the S3 Appia.  And he doesn't usually like small cars.  Everyone should have an Appia!

[GerardJPC]

Appia Easter!

New rear brakes and alternator fitted.  The car has just sprung a leak at the exhaust manifold gasket and is noisy and a bit down on power.

[GerardJPC]

Old car ups and down as usual.

I appear to have clouted one of the wheels on a pothole or something - there is some damage.  I may check out how the spare wheel is.

In any event the wheels could all do with painting.     I should look this up, but does anyone know the name of that distinctively Lancia pale yellow colour?   The colour of Crema Inglese.  OK then, call it custard.  I realise that not knowing this means that I must forefeit some Lancista points!

The hubcabs are all a bit dented.  I have bought another set found lurking on eBay Italia - they look better in the photos than the ones on the car, but even if they aren't when they arrive, it's always good to have spares anyway.

[lancialulu]

correct name is Avorio Antico

There is a good discussion here on various colours for various Lancia wheels...

http://blog.lanciainfo.com/?p=12

[GerardJPC]

Grazie!

[GerardJPC]

Ah ha!  Found on eBay - a paint that might do to touch up the wheels on an interim basis - at least the bits where some old balance weights used to be.

[frankxhv773t]

You ought to be able to get it mixed up for you by a paint factor if you have the code. Brian Hilton got it made up for his Fulvia wheels. I get touch up paint for stone chips etc. on my bodywork made up in a little bottle with a brush.

[GerardJPC]

Here is the exhaust manifold removed.  One stud was stuck, and broke during removal.  The old gasket was very knackered.

[GerardJPC]

The Appia now has a new exhaust manifold gasket and new manifold fixings to replace the tired and broken old ones.  The horn is working again, and the car is in all respects fit for spring jollies.   If work permits I will get the Appia out from behind the Beta that is blocking it in today and take the Appia for a pootle.   A set of undented hubcabs has arrived from Italy - three very shiny, one a bit dull.  The ones on the car at present are all rather battered.   

[GerardJPC]

Pubbing -