1978 Lancia 1600 HPE (High Performance Estate) started at £5,438. It was an impressive sight with its distinctly eager 1600cc twin-cam engine with aluminum head and twin-choke carburetor with drove the front wheels. The top speed was 108 mph and had a 5-speed gearbox. The handling, helped by all-round independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes was superb.
The interior had a complete array of instruments including rev counter, oil level, oil temperature and oil pressure gauges, topped with a quartz clock. The accommodations was for five, with integral headrests on the front seats and wrap-round rear seats with tons of leg room, front and rear. You had a choice of luxurious hardwearing cloth or PVC. Although the rear seats looked continuous, they were in fact separate. You could fold both of them forward, or just one, to carry a long load and a third passenger. Open the rear hatch and you find 42 cu.ft. of luggage space.
1978 Lancia 1600 HPE
