General information about the model:
After being taken over by the Fiat group in 1969, Lancia had a special task: to offer a sedan in the upper middle class that met the highest demands - the 130, the last large Fiat, had been phased out in 1976.
The Lancia Thema replaced the visually and technically exceptional Lancia Gamma in 1984, which was only available with a four-cylinder boxer engine.
What is unusual about the topic is that it was created in cooperation with the Swedish manufacturer Saab.
Both had agreed back in the 1960s that they wanted to jointly develop an upper mid-range vehicle in order to share the high costs.
The result was the so-called Tipo 4 platform, on the basis of which, in addition to the Lancia Thema, the Saab 9000 and the Fiat Croma were created in 1984.
The Alfa Romeo 164 followed in 1987 as the fourth make of the sister series.
While the Fiat Croma rolled off the assembly line with a hatchback and large tailgate, the Lancia designers opted for a classic notchback.
The rather simple but timeless design came from Giorgio Giugiaro, who also designed the Lancia Delta, Alfa Romeo Alfasud, VW Golf I and VW Scirocco, among others.
"For me, he is the designer par excellence, I love this clear, clean line," says Torge Schäfer from Lancia Club Germany, who has been driving Lancia Thema for over 20 years.
The theme not only looks elegant, it is also extremely practical.
The trunk is huge - he could easily accommodate a twin stroller there, reports Schäfer.
Up to eight beverage crates can fit in the trunk.
The interior is also spacious and the seats are comfortable.
"Gran Turismo has always been Lancia's goal," says Schäfer, "so that even long journeys are relaxed."
At the time, Lancia also served the Italian state apparatus with official vehicles - from ministers to government officials, many politicians and civil servants drove Lancia Themas, professionally for trips to the office and privately with the family and with children and cones on board.
For special representative purposes, the manufacturer produced a small series of a sedan with an extended body and more legroom in the rear.
There was also a station wagon version of the theme - but the station wagon was ordered rather cautiously and is particularly rare today as a classic station wagon.
The basic version also meant simple cloth seats for the Lancia Thema.
Power windows were standard, at least in the front.
A small on-board computer and fine real wood applications on the doors and in the center console were also standard.
For an extra charge, the theme could be equipped with leather or Alcantara seats.
The sunroof was also ordered, sometimes in combination with the electronically controlled air conditioning, which was expensive at the time.
A special case with the Lancia Thema are the engines, from the comparatively weak four-cylinder to the capricious Ferrari eight-cylinder, many things were possible.
Lancia offered an 8V naturally aspirated engine (2000 ie) as the basic engine, the two-liter four-cylinder made a somewhat sluggish 115 hp.
With the first facelift, the range was expanded to include a 16V engine with 147 hp (141 hp with cat).
This was joined by the Turbo 16V with 177 hp.
The so-called PRV Euro V6 with 150 hp was recommended for more comfort.
More fun is the Arese V6 with three liters (171 hp) from Alfa Romeo, which replaced the Euro V6 in 1992 after Alfa Romeo was taken over by the Fiat group.
The Lancia Thema is very popular with collectors today when it has the Ferrari eight-cylinder engine under the hood.
From 1987 this was possible with a hefty surcharge.
The three-liter engine came from the Ferrari 308 GTB and was planted in a tamed form (215 hp, with cat 205 hp) to the staid theme.
The top model, Thema 8.32, was recognizable by the five-spoke aluminum alloy, a modified radiator grille and round instruments in the interior.
According to legend, Lancia wanted to market the 8.32 as "Lancia Ferrari".
Company Grande Enzo Ferrari is said not to have agreed to this request at the time.
The Lancia Thema 8.32 was still expensive: 30 years ago it cost 110,000 marks.
Why that one?
Apart from the 8.32, the Lancia Thema was an automotive wallflower for a long time.
Sporty Alfa Romeo, Maserati or Lamborghini are popular as Italo classics – with Lancia the Delta is certainly also a legend, but as a rally icon.
The qualities of a Lancia Thema, on the other hand, only become apparent when you take a closer look, and that is above all its grandiose suitability for everyday use.
Thanks to the large-series platform, the spare parts situation is still good, plus there is a lot of comfort and an enormous amount of space, regardless of the engine, even as a non-station wagon: this is how the four-cylinder drives thanks to good insulation and balancer shafts for the engine (from 2nd series) pleasantly quiet even at higher speeds.
The chassis is not very tight, but the subject is good in the curves.
"For me, it's the perfect touring car," says Torge Schäfer from Lancia Club Germany.
Schäfer drove a Thema 2000 ie as an everyday car for a long time, now he has a 16V turbo.
While the V6 is more of a pleasure engine, the turbo goes in the direction of sport: "It's super cool, something also happens when you step on the gas pedal at 180 km/h," says Schäfer.
Many TDI drivers are surprised by so much power today, because the Lancia Thema looks rather well-behaved from the outside.
»Yes, the topic 16V Turbo is unremarkable.
But it's a wolf in sheep's clothing."
Availability:
After the Delta, the Thema was Lancia's best-selling car in the '80s and '90s.
But of 337,715 copies produced, not many are left.
But there are still veterans, especially in Italy, sometimes also in this country.
The smaller four-cylinder, turbo and six-cylinder predominate and even more so the diesel that is also offered has become rare.
Station wagons are also rare.
Topic 8.32 with Ferrari engine are in the hands of enthusiasts or are often offered at overpriced prices (see weak points).
Spare parts supply:
Fiat doesn't have much left in stock, but common wearing parts are fairly easy to obtain from the aftermarket.
Some things fit from the sister models Fiat Croma and Co. The Thema also shares some components with the Delta Integrale - which is why many Thema 16V Turbo were slaughtered in order to rebuild the higher-priced Delta Integrale.
Some dealers at home and abroad have specialized in spare parts for classic Lancia.
Especially when it comes to body replacements or interior parts and trimmings for the topic, there is often no getting around used parts.
Spare parts prices:
Set of new front brakes: approx. 150 euros
Toothed belt set 16V: approx. 500 euros
Fender used: approx. 150 euros
Rear silencer: approx. 280 euros
Vulnerabilities:
The Ferrari engine made the Lancia Thema famous in the classic scene, but the 8:32 is actually not recommended.
Although the V8 is bursting with torque, you have to bring this to the road when it comes to front-wheel drive.
In addition, there are high to horrendous maintenance costs: You can hardly screw the 8.32 yourself unless you have snake hands for the completely filled engine compartment and the necessary special tools.
In addition, there are sharply increased spare parts prices, just at Ferrari level.
That's why 16V Turbo or the Arese V6 from Alfa Romeo in the Lancia Thema are the better choice, especially since the driving performance is hardly worse in the end.
When it comes to rust, the Lancia Thema does well for a car from the 1980s (and Italian, at that).
However, there are two classic foci: The sill end tips in the rear wheelhouse, which can be welded quite well.
And the rear window frame: if it is crunchy - the indication is wet in the trunk - the repair will be expensive.
The four-cylinders are considered to be robust, but tend to consume more oil as they age.
If you don't want to risk engine damage, check the oil level regularly.
The Euro V6 engine doesn't have a particularly good reputation, mainly because it's quite lame.
Alfa Romeo's 3000 V6 is more fun, especially as its hoarse, snarling sound can be addictive.
Price:
Ready-to-drive Lancia Thema is available from 2000 euros, maintenance backlog included.
For 5000 to 10,000 euros you can find well-kept specimens, also with six cylinders.
Lancia Thema 8.32 with a Ferrari engine cost well over 20,000 euros.
If you opt for this variant, you should plan at least 1000 euros per year for maintenance and inspection.
Contact points on the Internet:
http://www.lanciaclubdeutschland.de/
http://www.lancia-ig.de
http://lanciaparts.de/
https://www.bielstein.com/
http://www.italo-ersatzteile.de