Second Spare: 1981 Lancia Zagato Beta Spider – Sold?

July 8, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this Lancia Zagato “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Younger enthusiasts may only recognize the Italian Lancia brand from playing racing video games with the company’s famous Stratos and Delta available on the rally circuits. However, the brand actually last sold cars in America nearly forty years ago in 1982. One of the last models Lancia imported into the U.S. in the early eighties also happened to be one of the few new convertibles available by then. We use that term loosely as the Lancia Beta Zagato Spiders featured a unique Targa top over the front passengers combined with a foldable rear section. The design, which mimicked Porsche’s original soft window Targa top 911, was meant as a way to provide an open-air car while meeting future U.S government roll-over crash standards that never materialized. Sadly, a quirky seating position, a space U.S. dealer network, and questionable build quality conspired to make these cars a rare site even when new.

In our latest Lancia Beta “Classifind”, the private seller not only provides this nice red 1981 driver quality example originally listed in May 2021 on Craigslist in South Dennis, Massachusetts (Boston), the $6,000 or best offer asking price includes a matching Beta parts car that can take up space in your driveway. Comparing the asking price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Zagato Spider priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) estimate of $3,500 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $7,800. So, we’d like to think you’re getting a free parts car for the cost of a driver-quality classic.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1981 Lancia Zagato. These are pretty rare. I have owned the car since 2009 and it has been my fun car the whole time. It has a Targa top in the front which fits in the trunk and a convertible top in the back. The Targa top works just fine but could use to be refinished at some point. The convertible top also is fine but could use a replacement at some point. The new tops are cheap, between $300-$400. I had it painted about 10 years ago in its original color. The car runs and drives but has had little use over the past 3 years. Overall, the car is in good condition for the year. It could use a few things and be cleaned up but I don’t know of anything that would prevent you from driving it and enjoying it this summer. The car also comes with a complete parts car that does not currently run. I’m asking $6,000
for both cars or best offer. Please only reach out if you are serious. Selling as I have too many cars and won’t have a lot of time this summer. “

Do you have a Lancia Beta Zagato Spider story to share?  Comment below and let us know!