Lancia Trevi Volumex in the Ardeche

[Rob 131]

During our summer holiday in France this year for a week we stayed in the Ardeche. Going out on an excursion to some model village on the Ales Ring Road, I saw a Lancia at what could best be described as a Car Sales / Repairs & Servicing / Breakers / Used Spares Garage. The Lancia (the large 90?s Saloon; Can?t remember the model ? was in good condition and for sale and visible from the road.

Going into the Industrial Estate and around to the front of the garage we discovered this Lancia Trevi Volumex. The body looked generally extremely solid, although as you can see from the pictures, the paintwork requires attention.  The Interior was tatty with the seats requiring major attention. Overall IMO this would have made a lovely car with not over too much work. I don?t know what the car was destined for, although from where it was parked, clearly not the crusher.

Was the Volumex version of the Trevi a rare car. Am I correct in saying this version was never imported into the UK. Enjoy the Pictures.
 

[Thotos]

Was the Volumex version of the Trevi a rare car. Am I correct in saying this version was never imported into the UK. Enjoy the Pictures.
 

The Trevi VX was not a very rare car and sold well on the Continent. It was available in the UK (without the β - 'Beta' name) but didn't sell well. I don't know of any survivors in the UK. But talking of Trevis, have a look at http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201136413932308

[kev131]

Wow ?5k! - Looks like you've made money on yours Theo!!

[Rob 131]

More Pics

[Rob 131]

Another Pic

[Thotos]

That looks like a Series 2 Trevi although I need a better view of the C-Pillar, the rear of the car or the interior to tell for sure 

But look at the door handles and wheels on this VX and compare them to the Trevi for sale at ?5K. The white car above is correct but the ?5K car is not. The ?5K car has Beta Berlina Series 2 door handles which were never fitted to the Trevi. Presumably the car was restored and they used Series 2 Berlina door skins so they fitted the appropriate door locks and handles. Also the wheels look like Fiat 132 Bellini wheels or similar, certainly not correct for a Trevi. OK, I'll take my Trevi anorak off now.... 

[kev131]

Yeah anorak, poncho, grey slacks and white socks too - far too much detail...but I do admit I spotted the wheels too....

[Rob 131]

Another Pic of the Trevi; hope it helps. Sounds like this Trevi is not original.

[Thotos]

No, this white Trevi is original (except for that rear spoiler which I've never seen before on a Trevi but might have been an after-market Trevi accessory) and it's definitely a Series 2 (now that I can see the C-pillars and rear of the car   ) The blue Trevi on Autotrader is the one that's not original.  

PS I'd like the clear Trevi indicator lenses so if you happen to be passing again and they happen to fall off the car......  

[Rob 131]

Trevi's do undoubtedly have appeal  It is a shame they were poor sellers in the UK. I did however really like the Beta in the 70's; second only to 131's  .

Won't be going to the Ardeche for a while, I prefer the Dordogne, Brittany, Gascony The children however prefer Italy, so guess where next 

Hopfully I'd see something older then the Alfa 75 that I saw last year.

[Thotos]

All this talk of Trevis made me use the Trevi to get to the office today 

[Heini131]

Was just wondering how you managed to get out of your car, but than remembered you have got the steering on wrong side

[Rob 131]

Looks a real Beauty . I thought RHR were a standard fit to all Trevi's ; your's appear to be missing.

[Thotos]

Looks a real Beauty . I thought RHR were a standard fit to all Trevi's ; your's appear to be missing.

I must admit that all other UK 2 litre Trevis I've seen had rear head rests but mine hasn't. I think you are right that they were standard fit on the UK cars but not for the 1600 Trevis (never sold in the UK I believe). The interior of my Trevi has had a long history: About 3 owners ago (the car had 11 owners before me  ) it had a full custom made leather interior fitted.



As you can see above that had no RHR either. Apparently at the time the original blue cloth interior was put in storage. The car was later bought by a guy with a lovely series 3 Beta Berlina and the leather interior was transferred from the Trevi to the Berlina (where it still lives even though the Berlina has changed owners).





The original blue cloth interior was apparently put back into the Trevi before I bought it. So I don't know whether it never had rear head restraints or they were lost in the transfers. The Trevi rear headrests are not fitted to the rear seat but are fitted to the rear parcel shelf on long stalks. So there are no tell-tale holes in the seats and it's easy to replace the rear shelf material to cover the holes. But I must admit the rear shelf looked original and had no holes when I got the car  . I would like to get some rear head rests as I think they look very classy 

[Rob 131]

Trevi Interior Pic Enclosed. RHR always look good on cars of this Era. The Italians were the first in providing them on Mainstream (Upmarket Models) in the late 70's / Early 80's    .

In the Mid 90's whilst living in London, I had the only 827 Vitesse (Rubbish Car) without RHR, the previous owner had taken them out  Never looked right.