Artena(s?) and Asturas in the UK

[Running Board]

As there are at least two roadworthy Asturas plus at least one likewise Artena on the road in the UK currently, I think that it is high time that one of the owners posted something about these models! 

My Astura has been used only for one short run this year so far - it's last major trip being Covent Garden last year!  The head gasket really needs changing again.  It was done before the Centenary run to Italy but is now starting to play up again.  The head has been properly surface ground, but the block needs similar treatment and with so many other projects on the go, I can't find the time to get to it. 

There, that didn't hurt at all! 

Morris. 

[donw]

Morris

My Artena did the sliding pillar rally this year, there is a Pinnin Farina DHC and a chassis in East Anglia but those are the only other Artenas I know of in UK.  Since there are very few Asturas or Artenas thre does not seem much call for this section of the forum!  Perhaps its like a Theta thread we all know each other and communicate outside the forum in a more traditional manor.

Don

[Dilambdaman]

I felt the same about the Dilambda section - who would be interested I wondered?

However, although I'm the only Dilambda owner posting, the number of views suggest that folks are interested so I keep writing.

So, let's hear more from you both please

Robin.

[fay66]

Morris

My Artena did the sliding pillar rally this year, there is a Pinnin Farina DHC and a chassis in East Anglia but those are the only other Artenas I know of in UK.  Since there are very few Asturas or Artenas thre does not seem much call for this section of the forum!  Perhaps its like a Theta thread we all know each other and communicate outside the forum in a more traditional manor.

Don

Yes Don,
But what about those of us who are interested even if we will never be able to own one?
I 'll never own a Dilambda such as Robin's Modestine, but all the same I'm very interested in hearing or reading about her.

Brian
8227

[donw]

Robin/Brian

I stand admonished!

I hope I will have difficulty in writing anything interesting about the Artena since so far touch wood the Artena has been the most reliable/trouble free Lancia I have ever owned!!  I have only had to replace the rear exhaust box.

This could be because the major problems emerged as I was negotiating to buy it.  It first ran a camshaft bearing and when that had been fixed a big end ran, a spare engine was fitted whilst the original was rebuilt, it was still on the original white metal which had crystallised!  Since the original engine refitted was it has only required routine maintenance.

Don

[fay66]

Don,
doesn't have to be about disasters! we are interested in foibles good and bad, experiences of owning one, something we/ I have very little knowledge of other than what I read, rather than 'straight from the horses mouth' as it were, without meaning to be rude   The nearest I've ever got to anything of that era was a 1931 Rover 10, and that was about 50 years ago.

Brian
8227

[chugga boom]

totally agree, i don't own a lambda.......i'd love to and always read the section on the forum as the cars interest me, and robin i'm sure people would be interested to hear about your dilambda, i know you've had terrible misfortune with your engine but your enthusiasm will surley spur other more fortunate people on with their vehicles and hopefully make people realise there is light at the end of the tunnel, look at the turin trip, the trouble i had with the gussey brakes.........i wanted to go home, i'd spat my dummy and had enough but between you and my father i was spurred on to keep going and i'm glad i did, its the stories, not always disaster stories but general stories that people like to read, do you know i prefere reading the forum threads over VL so please please please do it!! jp

[Scarpia]

Artenas seem to be a bit neglected and wrongly unnappreciated in my view. They were popular for their straightforward reliability and ease of maintenance. I just  "missed" owning two and see them as a more practical vehicle than say an Augusta because of the room for the family and less worrying to own than a lambda because of the relative mechanical simplicity.Next time I see an Artena soft top for sale........ 

[chugga boom]

ther are a few models often forgot about though, especially in motoring press such as the augusta ardea and appia too, such a shame as models like these were the real backbone of lancia eg more people could afford an appia saloon than say a b20gt......but which is remembered the most, in no way am i slating the well remembered cars as they were simply land marks to beat but its such a shame that the others aren't so well remembered, same applies to modern lancias too , the thema and dedra are always out spoken as soon as an integrale is mentioned, but we have to remember if carlsberg made a car it would surley be a lancia as the just don't make bad cars they are all amazing in there own way and streets ahead of their opponants if i had the money i'd have 1 of everything lancia have made, they are all different and a pleasure to drive;D it amazes me how an appia and augusta are basically very similar in design eg same basic front and rear suspension, similar engine ( in principle) yet so different to drive, the augusta is more agile and precise but the appia more refind smooth and comfortable if i had too choose between the two i couldn't as they are both great cars

[donw]

William
Artena tourers/dhcs are quite rare When I was looking I saw a Pinin Farina Fixed head coupe in Geneva but although a one family car since new it needed a complete restoration. very similar to Wim's Astura, the asking price was also too high at Euro 12.000.  It might still be unsold, if you are interested Kord Beddig knows its whereabouts.

Don

[Scarpia]

take a look at the rather strange Artena special on ebay Italy at the moment. I'm not sure if its hideous or strangely desirable? Did they have any known competition history?

[chugga boom]

HMMMM think its the chequer plate and matt paint that make it a little odd, if the headlamps where in their correct position it would look far better,
i,ve attatched a picture of an augusta special with similar body but in my opinion looks far nicer, bet the artena goes well tho and has an awfull lot of potential

[donw]

Its been on before but did not reach it's reserve I expect the owner wants far too much for what is only a special.  But it looks as if it would be great fun.

Don